Wendy Lazarus and Laurie Lipper, the founders and co-presidents of The Children’s Partnership, had the foresight to recognize that the Digital Revolution would become the equity issue of the 21st century long before others did. Believing that information technology for kids is a ticket to improved health, educational achievement, job opportunities for young people as well as a sound investment in America’s future citizens and economic competitiveness, they founded The Children’s Partnership in 1993 and published their first report on children and the “information superhighway” in 1994.

From that point they led several innovative initiatives that use original research, community-based pilot programs, training for parents and low-income community leaders, and policy advocacy to ensure that all American children have the chance to participate in this vibrant new economy and society. Their work over the past 13 years includes an extensive body of original research and publications, including the first comprehensive parents’ guides to the Internet “Rules and Tools for Families Online,” which was published in 1996.

Among their impressive accomplishments, Ms. Lazarus and Ms. Lipper provided leadership for a $7.5 million, 7-year long initiative (Computers in Our Future/ CIOF) to establish technology centers in 11 diverse, low-income communities in California designed to deliver technology and to research its impact, and to partner with community leaders to form a state agenda and become an effective voice for policy. They also worked in partnership with 200 local organizations through the California Community Technology Policy Group (CCTPG) to advocate for enactment of 10 laws in California, which now provide digital opportunity to low-income communities. Ms. Lazarus was later appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the California Broadband Task Force.

Joy Howell
Director
Broadband Changed My Life! Campaign