Lisa Rudman

Born in Paterson NJ in 1960

Lisa Rudman’s roots in independent media activism go back to PCTV in the early 1980’s where she was production manager, and created award winning television documentaries on political prisoners, US military intervention, social justice and feminist issues. Because of the way the media system was set-up at that time (1980's and 90's), Lisa, like many journalists, had to work doing training tapes for corporations in the daytime so she could fund her activist and activist video work at night.

I first met Lisa when she came to a meeting to launch a Women’s Desk at the National Radio Project.  I was deeply impressed by her analytic and people skills and so much more.

Heart!  Lisa loves people, sees the best in everyone, and embraces the world. 

Consistency.  At her core, Lisa is a completely dedicated activist and has been ever since her early teens.  Her passion for confronting oppression and promoting justice underwrites all her activities and conversations.  It doesn’t matter what the issue is, you will find Lisa on the front lines of the struggle for change: reproductive justice, prison reform, ecological justice – in short, confronting racism, sexism, elitism, and all the other dehumanizing isms that shape our collective lives and institutions.  When Lisa was honored by SFWAR, the person who introduced her asked the audience of hundreds, “How many of you have been leafleted by Lisa... tonight?”  A majority of hands shot up!

Heart!  Lisa brings a contagious, joyous enthusiasm to every task and encounter.

Teacher.  Lisa, sometimes referred to as “the edu-tainer”, teaches all the time.  For her, every moment is a teachable moment; every activity is an each-one- teach-one opportunity. When an inspiring journalist dejectedly returns from an interview to discover her tape is blank, Lisa enthusiastically declares. “Oh good!  Now that you have done that one we can figure out why and you don’t have to worry about doing it again!”

Heart!  Lisa’s activism is at once intensely political and deeply personal.  In spite of her passion for social-political matters, she always has the time to be genuinely interested in how others are doing, to celebrate every little victory, give a hug where it is most needed, visit a friend in prison.

Builder.  Lisa is intent on establishing and strengthening networks – within issue areas and most delightedly across the barriers that separate issues. She has been a central figure in building Making Contact/National Radio Project, having served in a variety of capacities: Women’s Desk Director, Co-Director of Live Wire Independent News, fundraiser, production trainer, Executive Director since 2003, and more.

Heart!  It is widely believed that Lisa does not know the meaning of ‘pessimism.’