True Dignity Vermont is a grassroots, independent, citizen-led initiative in opposition to assisted suicide in Vermont. Vermonters deserve true dignity and compassion at the end of life, not death and abandonment. Our Board consists of the following Vermont citizens who believe that killing is not compassion, and our end-of-life choices should respect the dignity of all Vermont citizens:
- Gerald and Carolyn McMurray of Arlington, VT - Gerry and Carolyn are both graduates of Harvard University. Carolyn has a M.Ed from George Mason University, and a certification in Health Care Ethics from the National Catholic Bioethics Center. Gerry worked for 11 years as a professional lobbyist in the US Congress, and for 25 years on the staff of the Banking and Commerce Committee in the US House - for most of that time he was Staff Director of the Sub-committee on Housing and Community Development. Gerry and Carolyn have the personal experience of caring for Carolyn’s mother in their home while she was dying of cancer. They retired to a farm in Vermont in 2002. Both have extensive experience as grassroots lobbyists.
- Dennis and Lani Candelora of Pownal, VT- Lani and Dennis are both graduates of Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry. Lani has a Juris Doctor degree from Vermont Law School. She also has extensive experience as a professional lobbyist in various state governments throughout the nation. Lani and Dennis are currently raising a young family in our beautiful state of Vermont.
- Edward and Michelle Alonzo of Burlington, VT- Edward is a recent graduate of the University of Vermont. Michelle is working on her Masters in Arts Education at St. Michaels College. She has a bachelors degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Edward also has a Bachelors of Liberal Studies from Iowa State University. Edward and Michelle are both artists with strong concern for missionary work and social issues. They are expecting their first child this summer.
- Carrie Handy of St. Albans, VT- Currently a free-lance writer, Carrie Handy is a 1978 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism who has worked as a journalist, public relations consultant and manager in the nonprofit sector. In her early career, she was communications director for hospitals in both the Midwest and Northeast. In the community, she has served on the boards of directors of agencies concerned with home health care, mental health care and family services.
