From Peggy Pizzo

Dear Wendy,

Happy birthday! And happy birthday to Stu as well.

I can't believe you're turning 60 -- -- you've always seemed the least 10 years younger than me -- -- full of vitality, verve and figah. Clearly you have what the Chinese call "good chi" -- -- which means you should be around and involved with us for many decades to come. Hooray!

I remember well when I first met you, Wendy. It was probably around 1977, when the very first iteration of the Children's Defense Fund was being launched in Washington, DC by the likes of Wendy Lazarus, Harley Frankel and some other fabulous souls. Children's Defense Fund was housed in this narrow old townhouse right off of Dupont Circle -- -- which was then the at the center for public interest do-gooders who had come to Washington in the 60s and 70s to influence policy and make the world a better place.

Of course, little did I know when I first met Wendy just how much she was going to go on to influence policy and help millions of children have better lives. I should have guessed because you seemed so smart and dedicated, Wendy, from the very first moment that I met you -- -- and yet not in the least bit pretentious. I felt at ease with you from the very beginning of our initial conversations -- -- and I suspect that's how many of your friends felt right from the start with you. You were always the kind and generous colleague and I learned a lot from you during our years together in Washington.

I think one of the things I liked about you from the beginning was your really dry sense of humor and your strong loyalty to your friends. I'm glad for that characteristic, because when that sad day came and you and Harley had to move out of town, first halfway across the country and then clear across the country, I was so glad that we could continue to stay in touch. The times I was able to visit you in Santa Monica were fantastic and I watched with amazement as you juggled the raising of two fabulous youngsters -- -- Laura and David -- -- with your continuing commitment to helping disadvantaged children through policy and advocacy.

Of course, one of the ways I've kept up with your successes is through Harley's periodic e-mail updates in which he lets me and about 2500 other people know about your latest accomplishment, honor or recognition and continued momentum on behalf of kids and families! And I'm really glad he does this because I know you're far too modest to tell us yourself.

I greatly admire, Wendy, how you have stayed so dedicated to your own core goals. It's not easy to stay involved in child advocacy for so many years -- -- there's so many struggles and losses and setbacks along the way. But you've done it -- -- and created a thriving family and sustained a whole network of friends who care about you simultaneously. Not a bad accomplishment for your first 60 years!

Many thanks for your friendship and I look forward to seeing you and being in good communication with you in the years ahead.