Accidental Advocates: 9/11 WTC Healthcare Champions
Accidental Advocates
9/11 WTC Healthcare Champions
Tuesday, March 19th - 7:00pm EST
Join us for an inspirational conversation with 9/11 World Trade Center healthcare advocates - Lila Nordstrom and Bridget Gormley.
On 9/11 Lila was a student at Stuyvesant High and has authored the book, Some Kids Left Behind. She is a writer, producer, activist, and the founder of StuyHealth, an advocacy group representing former students who were in lower Manhattan during 9/11 and the resulting cleanup. Lila testified before the House Judiciary Committee on behalf of the estimated three hundred thousand NYC community members eligible for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
Bridget created the film Dust following the death of her father, FDNY firefighter William Gormley who succumbed to 9/11-related illness. Dust chronicles the surge in post-9/11 related illnesses and cancers that are turning survivors into victims.
Lila and Bridget will share their personal journey and how their circumstances thrust them into activism at an early age. Through their collective efforts, they have advocated tirelessly to promote medical and mental healthcare for 9/11 survivors and responders.
Participation is free and registration is required.
About the Presenters
Bridget Gormley
Bridget is a writer/director/producer. She began producing passion projects soon after receiving her master's degree in human rights covering social, political and economic issues. Prior to producing her own film projects, Bridget worked as a producer for the Golden Trailer Awards, an award show honoring the best of motion picture trailers.
In addition to making films, Bridget also works with Barasch & McGarry as an advocate for the 9/11 community in New York. Her latest project, "Dust”, chronicles the surge in post-9/11 related illnesses and cancers that are turning survivors into victims.
Lila Nordstrom
Lila Nordstrom is a writer, producer, activist, and the founder of StuyHealth, an advocacy group representing former students who were in lower Manhattan during 9/11 and the resulting cleanup.
She has worked with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to raise awareness for the health programs in place to support 9/11 survivors; was appointed to the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program's Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee, where she served three terms between 2013 and 2019; served on the WTC Survivor Steering Committee; and has organized lobbying trips to Washington, DC, to share the student 9/11 story with members of Congress.
In June 2019, Lila testified before the House Judiciary Committee on behalf of the estimated three hundred thousand NYC community members eligible for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, and in December 2019 she was awarded New York City's Bronze Medallion, New York City's highest civic honor, given by the mayor. Under Lila's direction, StuyHealth has received a wealth of media from local, national, and international outlets, including the New York Times, Economist, CBS, Fox, and NBC. A graduate of Stuyvesant High School and Vassar College, Lila's writing has appeared in The Guardian, Huffington Post, Bustle, Yahoo News, the New York Daily News, and other outlets. In 2020, she was named a Fellow by the Equality California Institute Leadership Academy. Lila is also the cofounder of VoteCaptain.org, a nonpartisan voter education site, and the producer and host of Brain Trust Live, a weekly independent political podcast started in 2012. She has worked in film and television production and development for fifteen years. Originally from New York City, Lila now lives in Los Angeles, California.