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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 14 April 2016

Created: 14 April 2016

Last Updated: 14 April 2016

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In accepting the community's highest award for public service, on April 13, 2016, Susie Rush recalled that when she moved to Scarsdale in 1995, a partner at her law firm told her she'd never fit in. Twenty one years later, it's clear that he underestimated Rush and Scarsdale, where she not only "fit in," but became a model citizen. Though typical Bowl recipients are former mayors, trustees or school board members, Rush has not taken on those roles, but has served the community in her own unique way; by taking on leadership positions in the PTA, the PT Council, the League of Women Voters, the SBNC, the Teen Center, the Scarsdale Foundation and more.

In accepting the Scarsdale Bowl at the Fountainhead in New Rochelle, the modest Rush shined the light back on the community, saying the people she met here are "intelligent, thoughtful, passionate and dedicated, who bring distinctive backgrounds and perspectives to every discussion." She thanked her husband for giving her "the space and the support" to do whatever she wanted or needed to do and her two boys, David and Jonathan "for taking the time from school to be here tonight, adding, "Now I know how to get you both down here at the same time – I just have to get the Scarsdale Bowl."

Discussing volunteerism in Scarsdale, Rush continued, "There is something very special about the collection of people who live here, who make Scarsdale unique in a way that isn't obvious from reading the paper. It's an indescribable quality that you can fully understand only by working alongside one another, studying an issue, listening to each other, engaging in discussion, trying to come to agreement. When one of my sons asked me early on why I volunteered, I told him it was important to give back to the community we live in. But I know I've received much more than I've given."

What about fitting in? Rush said, "I don't know whether my former law firm partner would say I fit in here after all. Who knows what 'fit in' means anyway. But I will say to anyone who lives here, regardless of how long you've lived here, how old you are or where you come from, if you embrace Scarsdale and its opportunities to serve, it will embrace you back and you, and we, will be better for it."

Her son David, a doctoral candidate in mathematics at MIT said, "When I was growing up people used to say your parents must be so proud of you. I was blissfully unaware of all my mother did for the community, and how proud we should be of her." He remembered second grade when he rode his bike to school and his mother walked beside him everyday. At the end of each day he came out to find his mom there to pick him up in the car. One day it occurred to him that he didn't know what happened to his bike. He realized that Susie rode the half-mile home on the tiny bike each day so that David could ride to school. He said, "She is exactly the kind of person you want to have in your corner. She's brutally honest in private but goes out and defends you in public." He concluded by saying, "We are so glad to see that the community has recognized her for all she has done. We've seen it day and day out."

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Susie juggled her commitments to the community with her job as legislative analyst for State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, who credits Rush with being the "person behind the legislation." Calling Rush a "pit bull with a sweet demeanor," she complimented Rush for being meticulous and organized while turning complicated ideas into law." Saying Rush was instrumental in getting many of (Paulin's) laws passed, she said, "We make a great team .... Susie's skills complement my skills." The two recently worked on a domestic violence/gun control law and Paulin said that Rush won over the Republicans and the FBI to get it passed.

Her friend Lauren Meyers remembered Susie's reaction after 9/11, when Rush was the President of the Quaker Ridge PTA. Meyers said that while everyone was busy looking after themselves and their own families, Rush was calling those who needed help and reaching out to the community to see what she could do. About her friend Susie she said, "She never accepts credit, she sees the trees while we trip over the leaves and she empowers other people to make a difference."

Evelyn Stock, who heads the Scarsdale Foundation, the group that administers the Scarsdale Bowl, said. "When I first saw Susie speak supporting the renovation of the
Quaker Ridge School my reaction was, "Wow, how did Scarsdale get so lucky." Stock told the room that the Foundation supports need based scholarship for SHS graduates, sends kids in need to the Scarsdale Day Camp and has given help to SVAC, SFSC, the Teen Center and more. She extolled the health benefits of volunteerism and encouraged the audience to reach out to their neighbors and invite them to join their volunteer activities. She said, "The future of Scarsdale is in your hands. Start tomorrow."

Michelle Lichtenberg, Chair of the Scarsdale Bowl, thanked the Foundation, the Bowl Committee, (named below), former Bowl recipients and all the people "who are deeply involved in the tradition of volunteerism, who make substantial efforts on behalf of our schools, our village government, civic, recreational, religious, and social service organizations." Michelle remembered meeting Susie in 2001 when Susie was the President of the Quaker Ridge PTA and Michelle was the incoming President of the SHS PTA. The first Tuesday of school was 9/11 followed by the anthrax scare. Michelle said that Susie "was a beacon of calm and sensibility, truly grace under fire.... always clear-sighted and a thoughtful problem solver she was a pleasure to work with."

The event was attended by a wide swath of the community, local lawmakers, former Village Manager Al Gatta, former schools superintendent Michael McGill, the staff of Amy Paulin's Office and many others who have worked with Susie in her various roles. There was an overwhelming feeling of pride in the room for a gracious, savvy and exemplary woman who has already done so much for others and will hopefully continue to participate in the years to come.

Pictured above: the Scarsdale Bowl Committee: Michelle Lichtenberg (Chair). Evelyn Stock, Robert Jeremiah, Felicia Block, Beth Ehrich Berkeley, Jonathan Bradlow, Kay Eisenman, Fran Galloway, Susan Hochvert, Gary Katz, Janet Korins, Anne Lyons, Eli Mattioli, Jay Musoff, Michael Pollac, Jyoti Ruta and Jane Veron.