(Reprinted from "The San Francisco Chronicle," Aug. 15, 2006.)
Rose Resnick passed away early Aug. 14, 2006 at age 99. She was born on Nov. 27, 1906 in New York City to parents, immigrants from the Ukraine in Russia. Glaucoma caused her blindness at the age of 3. Her innate musical abilities led her to scholarships at the Manhattan School of Music, New York City, the Fontainebleau Conservatory of Music in France, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She toured as a concert pianist before settling in San Francisco where she resumed her studies, receiving a teaching credential and master's degree from San Francisco State University in 1961. Rose's dream of a camp that would get blind children and adults out of their homes and into the open air of the countryside was first realized with the first camp for blind children in the United States.
After serving as the executive director of the Enchanted Hills Foundation until 1958, the Enchanted Hills Camp merged with the San Francisco Association for the Blind to form the San Francisco Lighthouse, now the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. She founded "A Garden of Fragrance" in Golden Gate Park, and initiated taping service for the blind throughout the California prison system.
In 1981, Rose received her doctorate in education from the University of San Francisco. Her many awards include the prestigious Migel Award of the American Foundation for the Blind; the San Francisco Examiner's "Woman of the Year" award; a Presidential citation for meritorious service to the handicapped; the Hannah G. Solomon Award for community service from the National Council for Jewish Women; "Professional Woman of the Year"; Myrtle Wreath Award from Hadassah; Jefferson Award from the American Institute for Public Service; the Distinguished Alumni Award for outstanding contributions to profession and society from San Francisco State University; "Hall of Fame," Hunter College, and others.
In 1988, Athenaeum Press published her autobiography, "Dare to Dream - - The Rose Resnick Story." Though she experienced at first discrimination concerned with teaching in the school system due to her blindness, Rose traveled to Sacramento and delivered an effective plea for integration rather than segregation of the blind. Graveside memorial services were held on Aug. 15 at Sinai Memorial Chapel, Eternal Home Cemetery in Colma, Calif.