Sue Wolf-Fordham’s experience as the parent of a special-needs child drove her to create resources for families of disabled children around the world. Wolf-Fordham was already involved with disability issues as a paralegal and law student at Boston University, but her work took a personal turn when her daughter was born with multiple disabilities. On a trip to the Ukraine with her mother, Judy Wolf, Wolf Fordham was struck by the prejudice against special-needs children. The two collaborated with Jewish Family & Children’s Service as well as the local community to create an Educational Resource Center in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine for the disabled. The center not only engages special-needs children with learning programs, therapeutic toys, and activities, but also provides support for families and training for teachers. Returning to her home community of Boston, Wolf-Fordham continued her work by creating Yesodot, a program of the Jewish Vocational Sources that helps families of special-needs children find resources and community support.

Sue Wolf-Fordham was honored at the 2005 Women Who Dared event in Boston.