WHO ARE WE?
Nancy B. Rich, Raleigh, President.
Professor Emeritus of English, NC State University, retired 1995. B.A. and M.A. UNC Chapel Hill. Active in animal welfare since 1978. She founded the NC Network for Animals in 1983, represented HSUS in NC, was invited (in 1990) to the “Summit for Animals” (a strategic conference of the major national animal rights organizations), participated in the Washington “national event/march” in Washington each year, and built chapters in 7 counties and 3 universities in North Carolina. In 1990 took over the Network and Nancy founded Justice for Animals, hoping the Network would continue forming Chapters while JFA would work on legal protection for animals. Nancy is also author of a book, published in Chapel Hill entitled “The Flowering Dream“ which deals with the history of man‘s struggle for freedom (focusing on 20th century) and is currently being used by some teachers and professors. (Read more about Nancy’s work for animals at the end of this section).
Millard R. Rich, Jr., Raleigh, Vice President.
Retired Deputy Attorney General, NC Department of Justice for twenty-five years, a job he took just a few years after receiving his LLB at UNC Chapel Hill. When the Network was founded Millard provided legal assistance to animal welfare groups throughout NC (as well as to Nancy), did some pro-bono work, wrote an essay explaining “What’s Wrong with North Carolina Animal Law” and in 1993 he prepared and took to the Legislature a proposal aimed at reducing the problem of “pet overpopulation.” Called the “Spay/Neuter” bill (number SB1038) that bill went nowhere in ’93, was re-introduced in ’95, and again in 1997 ----when finally (after a tremendous battle with businesses which make money “experimenting on animals” and thus oppose reducing the number born) was approved, becoming active around 2002.
Marianna Burt, Apex, Second Vice President.
A practicing attorney, who focuses on “Animal Law”. Mrs. Burt worked with Nancy and Rich during the eighties and was co-founder of Justice for Animals in 1990. She took the first court case pursued by that organization, and has continued her “pro-bono” work since that time. BA, Rosemont College. MA, University of Chicago. JD,UNC, Chapel Hill. In 1999, a speaker at the Delta Society meeting in Cincinnati on “Changes in the Meaning of ‘Useful Animal’ in Recent Legal History” and at the Carolina Cat Conference in Winston-Salem. Speaker at the American Veterinary Medical Association’s 1996 Animal Welfare Foru7m on “Dog-Related Legislation.” Published an article, “Pets More than Property” in the Spring, 1996 issue of “Interactions,” --a publication of the Delta Society. In 1989, did a series of shows on “The Human Animal Bond” on TV in Apex. During the 1980’s Mrs. Burt was a member of the North Carolina Humane Federation. Before she moved to North Carolina, Marianna was active in animal welfare in New England. Former Director of Ethical Studies, Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Cindy Popkin-Bradley, Raleigh.
An Attorney since 1992 & Board member of Justice for Animals since 1996, Mrs. Bradley volunteered for the second court case pursued by Justice for Animals and has continued her pro bono legal work for JFA since that time. In 1997 she requested that a magistrate bring criminal charges against a Chatham County man who would not accept responsibility for his actions. The man had shot a young boy’s puppy. The magistrate brought cruelty charges and the case was won! In 1997, Cindy was admitted to the US Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.. In 1995 she was admitted to the US District Court for the Eastern District of NC, CJAPanel; in 1994 she was admitted to the US District Court for the Eastern District of NC, and in 1992 she was admitted to the NC State Bar. Graduated from NC Cebntral University School of Law in 1991, and from Appalachian State University with a major in Criminal Justice in 1997. She has been in solo practice and owner of her own law firm since 1993. Cindy is a strong defender of animals.
Sarah R. Coley, Southern Pines.
Board member of Justice for Animals since its inception in 1990. Sara isAdministrative Assistant and Property Manager, J.W.York Company, LLG in Raleigh, NC. Worked in real estate appraisal for 28 years. Graduate of Woman’s College in Greensboro. Author of an article --”Right Rotten Ratley” about her pet mouse, published in the periodical “The Urban Hiker.” She is also the author of two unpublished books: “My Lady and Me” about another pet mouse of hers and “My Friend Ben” about her son and his pet bear. Prolific painter of animals, flowers, landscapes and people. Member of NC Network for Animals from 1983-1990. For years, Sarah and her husband, Wyatt, have retrieved animals, mostly cats, from various SPCAs, have had them spayed and neutered and gotten them current with appropriate vaccinations --and then found good homes for them. The number of animals they have placed to date is approximately 25. Companion animals at home currently is 5 cats, 2 horses, 1 dog and 1 hamster.
Gloria Eskridge, Asheville.
Met Nancy during the eighties, when they were both Board members of the Wake County SPCA, and later was co--founder of Justice for Animals (in 1990). She provided the organization with its name, has been a Board member since its inception --and has been closely in touch with Nancy ever since. While she lived in Wake County in the eighties, she established a North Carolina Pet Finder for that area. When she moved to Asheville, she became president of the Humane Society of
Buncombe County, at the same time doing business as Find-A-Pet Society, which runs an assistance program for homeless pets in crisis. This program is involved in a special -needs “People and Pets” program to stop the “breeding cycle.” In essence, it ’s aim is “Prevent-A-Mother” spay project for homeless female pets. Gloria has been animal welfare since 1978. Prior to that, she graduated from Patricia Stevens Fashion Merchandising College in Atlanta, Georgia, worked at J.L. Brandeis Department Store in Omaha, Nebraska, was fashion Coordinator for Corporate Fashion Office, Fashion Coordinator for Sears in Bryan, Texas, and had been fashion designer for a woman’s sportswear manufacturing company in Atlanta.
Robert (Bert) Eskridge, Asheville.
Bert is a graduate of the College of Charleston (B.S.), University of Nebraska At Omaha (M.S.) and Texas A&M university (Ph.D). From 1974 to 1990, he was employed as a Research Air Pollution Meteorologist at the US Enviromental Protection Agency in Research Triangle Park and was Adjunction Associate Professor of Meteorology at NCSU. In the 1980's he was board member and volunteer for NC Pet-finder in Raleigh. In 1990, he joined the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville and worked there until retiring at the end of 2002. He attended WCU and through the NC Teach program received a teaching certificate in mathmatics in Asheville. Since 1992, he has been envolved as a volunteer and board member for Find-A-Pet. Bert and Gloria have assisted in socializing and placing over 500 homeless, in-crisis pets.
Cheryl Rich, Raleigh.
A graduate of N.S.C.U. in communications with post graduate work in English, MS. Rich resides in Raleigh with her two kids, two cats and two dogs all rescued (except the children). Ms. Rich has worked for UNC TV, WCTI-TV in New Bern, NC. and WFLX-TV in West Palm Beach, Florida. She has held positions in promotions, programming, public relations and event planning. Ms. Rich is currently involved in animal rescue, and works with J.F.A. in event coordination, editing, and communications..
