Merle developed a love and respect for the environment growing up in a rural community in upstate New York. Her doctoral research at Cornell University and subsequent work focused on assessing how toxic substances found in the environment interfere with biological processes during vulnerable stages of embryonic development. Her work in this field also convinced her of the need for a stronger voice on environmental justice issues. Merle moved to a career in education and community engagement, eventually settling in social services where she leads a small case management team and oversees the adult mentoring program at Windham Area Interfaith Ministry (WAIM). Merle has become passionate about creating easy openings and removing barriers for people of limited means to have access to safe, low-cost, efficient energy sources to heat and electrify their homes. For several years, Merle also served as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Willimantic Public Library dedicating her tenure to ensuring the library reached and met the needs of the whole community, with particular emphasis on underserved families and the elderly. The work Merle is doing at WAIM dove-tails with the agenda she leads at Temple Bnai Israel as Board member and Chair of their Tikkun Olam (Social Justice) committee bringing climate awareness and action to the greater Windham community and partnering with organizations such as IREJN, NAACP, CT Sierra Club and others to make an impact in Eastern CT.
Merle’s life partner is Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz, the spiritual leader of Temple Bnai Israel in Willimantic, CT.
