The San Geronimo Valley Community Center
This led to our working together to promote alterna- tive transportation in schools. We cooked up a scheme to do outreach in schools, and she concocted an electric bike (still a novelty back then) powered by solar panels on the bob trailer she pulled filled with activity books for the kids. Simultaneously, in 1998, Deb began working with a group of bicyclists to form the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, ultimately becoming its executive director. In that role she grew the organization into a powerful force advocating for more bicycle infrastructure countywide. We teamed up again to establish the first national model Safe Routes to Schools program. She also got federal funding for the Non-Motorized Pilot Program, which brought $25 million each for Marin and three other communities to develop plans for a seamless bicycle/pedestrian network. You can see the results of this work everywhere from bike lanes to major pathways like the CalPark Tunnel and the Lincoln Pathway. Deb’s accomplishments were achieved by a combination of quiet diplomacy and aggressive activism. Someone once described her as part cheerleader, part drill sergeant. Even those staff and elected officials, who faced her unwavering demands, admitted that she had a way of making everyone her friend even as she opposed them. Her infectious opti- mism and tenacity won her respect and ultimately victory. Her motto was “Never take no for an answer!” But she wasn’t done. She lobbied Congress and success- fully achieved $1.1 billion for a national Safe Routes to Schools program that helped launch a movement. Having established herself on the national stage, Deb formed the Safe Routes to Schools National Partnership—a coalition of 750 bike and pedestrian organizations, and national health and education programs. It grew into a multi- million dollar agency that continues to this day, promoting Safe Routes to Schools and providing technical assistance to communities across the country. Deb was at the peak of her career when she was struck down by leukemia. She tried to use her boundless energy to fight for her life, but after a valiant two-year struggle, she found that this was one battle she would not win. In August 2015, at the age of 46, she peacefully departed, surrounded by family and friends, and held in love by hun- dreds of supporters throughout the country. She left us way too soon. But then the brightest stars often burn out. Yet her legacy lives on. The Safe Routes National Partnership is thriving, Marin enjoys countless bike and pedestrian facilities, San Geronimo now has a regular bus, and hundreds of her protégés continue her work around the country. Think of her when you board the Stage; every time you see kids walking and biking to school; as you ride through all the incredible bike/ped facilities she helped to create. Deb is there. She will always be with us, in the work that she did and the love that she shared.
Summer 2009 Kate’s Café by Anny Owen
When I was a single mama, I did my community service in the food pantry. It was a great opportunity to get first dibs at the free food giveaway and sometimes meet folks who were struggling even more than I. Mostly, however, it was a peak moment in my life with regards to making friends in the greater community that is the SGV. Plus, my little boys could go to Zoila’s while I worked. The kitchen began to feel like a friendly home to me: the fridge and freezer were mine to explore and use, the dishes, silverware, coffee pots and twist ties were mine to share and show, when events were happening there and folks needed kitchen know-how. This seemingly little step was big for me. From there, I met my great friend, the now-well known bike advocate/activist Deb Hubsmith, who was the events coordinator at the time. Dave Cort asked us to co-produce the open mic, Kate’s Café. I expressed concern at my lack of emcee experience and he gave me that famous, relaxed grin and said, “It’s your baby, Anny!” Cool, I love babies! The rest is herstory: Deb and I had a blast there for three expand- ing years, eventually enjoying a Valley room bursting with performing kids and adults alike. We still speak so fondly of that time in our lives, where we carried on the late-night Valley music jam tradition right into my bungalow living room. The Cultural Center became a household word for my sons to own as a really happy part of their childhood. We needed a place to call our own. And that is the genius of Dave, Howie, Zoila and the Valley tribe vibe. It’s so accept- ing, non-judgemental, full of joyous hope, and just general- ly “super chill” as the teens say. Though I’m living in Bolinas for now, our loving extended family is in the Valley and my boys have told me that they will always consider the “The V” their home. Driving in at night on a visit back from col- lege, Hobie takes a deep satisfying breath, “It is the moment I cross White’s Hill that the scent of nature tells me I’m home.”
Volunteers including Richard Sloan, at center, installing the Kate Wolf Memorial in front of the Community Center, 1987
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50 th Anniversary
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