Frances Berko
1922-1996
New York State's Advocate for the Disabled
Frances Berko was born March 20, 1922, in the Bronx. Despite being diagnosed with ataxic cerebral palsy, Berko attended Hunter College followed by Fordham Law School where she graduated with honors in 1944. Her thirst for learning did not stop with a law degree, as she also received her masters degree in vocational rehabilitation from New York University in 1946, and a masters degree in speech therapy from Wichita State University in 1956.
As an advocate for the disabled, Berko helped found United Cerebral Palsy and helped draft legislation to benefit handicapped people. In 1981, Governor Hugh Carey appointed Berko as New York State's Advocate for the Disabled.
Frances Berko died June 30, 1996, at age 74 in Saint James, New York.
State of the State Message
Identifier
NYSA_13703-83_B11_031
Description
Governor Carey and Frances Berko, an advocate for the disabled, at the Assembly Chamber in the Capitol for Carey's State of the State message. January 6, 1982.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Governor. Public information photographs, 1910-1992. Series 13703-83, Box 11, No. 031.
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Testimony of Frances G. Berko to the NYS Assembly Standing Committee on Aging on Problems of the Disabled
Description
Testimony of Frances G. Berko to the NYS Assembly Standing Committee on Aging on Problems of the Disabled. May 13, 1981.
New York State Archives. New York (State). New York State Assembly Program and Counsel Staff Hearing Files, Transcripts, and Audio Tapes, 1956-1996. Series L0002-87, Box 3, Folder 1.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
