The Alliance for Rights and Recovery Marks the Death of Lenora Reid Rose
Fearless Friend, Mentor, and Champion
Alliance Note: It is with heavy hearts, deep sorrow and eternal gratitude that we remember and honor the life of Lenora Reid-Rose, a dear friend, mentor, and guiding force in the work of cultural competence, health equity, and mental health policy and practice. Lenora was not just a colleague, she was a beacon of wisdom, compassion, and dedication, a force of nature whose impact will continue to be felt for generations to come. A celebration of her vibrant life will be held on Friday, February 21st at 11:00am at All Seasons Chapel in White Haven Memorial Park, 210 Marsh Road, Pittsford, NY.
As we honor the life of Lenora Reid-Rose, we invite you to share your memories, stories, and photos to celebrate her incredible impact. We will be gathering these to share during a virtual remembrance later this month. Please join us in cherishing and honoring her legacy. Please send your items to lenora@rightsandrecovery.org
For more than three decades, Lenora led with purpose and passion, shaping the fields of cultural competence and health equity with an unwavering commitment to justice and inclusion. As a leader at CCSI, she worked tirelessly to help agencies and organizations understand and advance their positions on the continuum of cultural competence. While at CCSI, she became a fearless friend of the Alliance (formerly NYAPRS) and helped start the cultural competence committee. She was far ahead of her time with the issues we still wrestle with today.
Lenora’s contributions extended far beyond any single organization. She shared her expertise on the state, regional, and national levels, lending her knowledge to critical initiatives in behavioral health and social justice. Her leadership on the Board of Directors of the Alliance and her involvement with the American Association of Mental Health Administrators demonstrated her steadfast commitment to advancing mental health policy and practice. Additionally, she co-directed the Nathan Kline Center of Excellence, served on the New York State Office of Mental Health Multicultural Advisory Committee, and was a dedicated member of the NYS Minority Health Council, advocating for the preservation and improvement of minority health across the state.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lenora was a person of warmth, kindness, and grace. She touched the lives of so many with her generosity of spirit, her encouragement, and her unwavering belief in the power of community. She was a mentor to many, a friend to all, and an inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
As we mourn the loss of Lenora, we also celebrate her incredible legacy. Her work will continue through the programs she built, the policies she influenced, and the people she uplifted. Though she is no longer with us in body, her spirit and impact remain ever-present in the work we do and the lives we lead.
Rest in peace, dear Lenora. Your light will never fade.