Susan Pedrick

1959—

As the development associate, I have been an extremely proud member of the staff of
The Women’s Building for over sixteen years.  I have always been in awe of the story of how I came to work here, and would like to record it for this book.

A turbulent childhood led me to become a self destructive young adult. However, I had the great good fortune of an early introduction to the benefits of psychotherapy. I looked very hard to find someone with the skills to help me, and finally found a wonderful man named Shimshon in 1982. He saved my life by talking to me for eight years, charging me almost nothing.

Shimshon eventually grew weary of being an immigrant and in 1990 repatriated to his native Israel. On his way out, he gave me the names of two documentary filmmakers, Allie Light and Irving Saraf, and suggested that I participate in their next film as one of its subjects. Allie is one of the founders of The Women’s Building. The film, “Dialogues With Madwomen,” tells the stories of seven women and their intense interactions with the mental health industry.

At the time of the film’s release in 1993, Roma Guy was raising the money to pay off The Building’s mortgage, and Allie and Irving gave the premiere of “Dialogues With Madwomen” at the Castro Theater as a gift to Roma’s campaign.   On Friday, July 16, 1993, I met Roma for the first time at a completely sold out Castro Theater. The powerful and illuminating film got a four minute standing ovation—and grossed almost $15,000 for Roma’s capital campaign.

Two days later, Roma had a party in her garden for everyone who had been part of this amazing event. At Roma’s party, I let it be known that I needed work. Roma told me to make sure she got a copy of my resume, and I handed one to her on the spot. She called me three days later and told me she could use my help, and I started working at The Building on July 24, 1993.

“Dialogues” went on to win numerous awards, including Freedom of Expression at the Sundance Film Festival and an Emmy when PBS aired it on national television. Today it lives largely on college campuses worldwide.

Meanwhile, my skills and responsibilities to The Women’s Building have improved and increased over time, including sitting on the History Committee.

Being part of two so extremely well-loved projects has changed my life completely, and I have never stopped being overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunities.  Speaking of gratitude, it is my religion. I am most fond of saying, “Thank you for giving me a reason to say thank you.”

Finally, I am a fiercely proud survivor of incest, decades of domestic violence, foster homes, rape and breast cancer. I work extremely hard at being healthy, and I am profoundly grateful for every minute I am allowed to be well in the world.

Honored by The Women's Building