RONNIE LEAVITT: Helping the World From Home
By Seth Stutman | Photos by Hillary Lynn Photography
Ronnie Leavitt’s first job at Harlem Hospital as a physical therapist (NYC), her 6 month backpacking trip around the world, and her Masters of Public Health (Columbia University) each led her to a lifetime of volunteering in less developed nations and volunteering locally with social action groups to fight against the “-isms”; “ racism, antisemitism, sexism, ableism, and homophobia.
Leavitt grew up in New York City and moved to Longmeadow in 1987 after being in Somers, CT. for 8 years. Her first job in New England was at UConn as an associate professor in the School of Allied Health where she also received her PhD in Medical Anthropology.
More than a decade ago, Leavitt began work with Jewish Family Service (JFS), a nonprofit that helps refugee families settle in the greater Springfield area. Most donors give just things or money, but Ronnie and others from Sinai Temple, took a Somalian family under their wing, helping sponsor them as they found their first home after living in a refugee camp for 12 years. She found satisfaction in helping them acculturate to America, as well as making sure they had what they needed to survive and thrive.
In 2021, Leavitt further increased her commitment to helping refugee families. As the United States pulled out of Afghanistan, refugee resettlement agencies like JFS were overrun with need and Ronnie was there - but again she did more than most. The family that Ronnie (and her partner Rich Alpert) adopted had escaped the Taliban in Afghanistan and made their way to Springfield after stays in refugee camps in Qatar and Germany and then at Army bases in 3 other American cities. She met them as soon as they arrived in Springfield– the day before the mom delivered their sixth child. Ronnie and Rich remain very involved and consider themselves the children’s American grandparents. “It takes about 7 years for a family to assimilate, so I feel that helping this family could be one of the most meaningful and important things I could do”.
Leavitt’s international volunteer work focuses on educating others - both non-professional, community volunteers and professionals - how to care for people with disabilities.
Ronnie still has a special love for work in developing countries. “I love the combination of teaching and learning from others in places that are so different from the US. I learn so much about other cultural ways of life”.
Ronnie has been to about 75 countries and has volunteered in places such as Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Ghana, India, and Jamaica.
These days, Ronnie and Rich lean more toward sightseeing and relaxing vacations in developed nations. They love the US National Parks and just returned from a trip to Sicily and Malta. “I have two children - and they live in Santa Monica and Denver, so I’m always traveling to see the kids and grandkids. “I’m lucky to have four grandchildren between 1 and 7,” said Leavitt.
The work of decreasing inequities continues. One of Ronnie's recent commitments is to Longmeadow's DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Advisory Committee. The purpose of DEI is to increase cooperation, understanding, and dialogue among Longmeadow residents, commercial and institutional entities, and other stakeholders of diverse cultural, religious, socio-economic, racial, ethnic, and experiential backgrounds. Ronnie is also very involved with the Sinai Temple Social Action Committee and the Longmeadow Anti-Racist Coalition. Antisemitism, a personal concern, is known to be on the rise. “When we work towards equality for everyone then everyone benefits!”
Leavitt has published articles and books, and given many presentations, mostly about cultural competence. She is most proud of the Dr. Ronnie Leavitt Award for Social Justice to be given annually to a physical therapist by the Cross-Cultural and International special interest group of the American Physical Therapy Association.
Ronnie is never bored. She enjoys tennis and pickleball, gardening, bridge, political activism, reading, cooking, and jewelry making. When she sells her jewelry all proceeds go toward sending children to summer camp.
“I have loved my time in Longmeadow - a town that offers me great friends, a sense of community and small enough to feel I am part of something particular yet large enough to offer many opportunities for engagement. People are friendly and willing to give a helping hand. I think Longmeadow often gets a bad rap, but I feel it is not deserving. My parents moved to Longmeadow for their last years and they were amazed at how different it was from NYC. Such great connections among people and plenty of activity to avail themselves of. I would recommend living here to anyone who can”.