During her
30-year career with the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, Linda Schuler
saw first-hand the importance of community-based programs. As a senior center
director for 21 of those years, she learned how important dedicated volunteers
are to the success of center programs. During her 9-year tenure as the Director
of the Martin Janis Center, Linda operated lights and sound for the COAAA Hall
of Fame. The stories of the great inductees into the Hall of Fame were an
inspiration to her. The work of center and Hall of Fame volunteers encouraged
her to step forward and say “yes” to volunteer opportunities in the underserved
LGBTQ+ community.
In 1997 at
the age of 51, Linda and her now wife, Karla Rothan were asked to chair the
Stonewall Columbus Pride Parade. Neither knew anything about organizing a
parade but both had organized large events. According to Linda, thankfully, the
parade was small with approximately 200 activists marching. Linda continued to
chair the parade from 1997- 2019 when Covid-19 caused a postponement of large
gatherings. Under her leadership the parade grew into a community wide event
with public officials, churches, employee resource groups and activists all
marching together to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community. In 2019, at
the age of 73, Linda and her small yet dedicated team, assembled, stepped off
and disassembled one of the largest Prides in the United States.
The
visibility of the parade gave Columbus a reputation for being one of the
country’s great open and diverse cities. It brought approximately 800,000
people, many from out of town, who lined the streets of our city. Linda recalls
that it was heartwarming to see the diverse crowd including whole families
supporting diversity. In addition, the parade brought millions of dollars in
the Columbus community.
In 2006,
Linda’s wife, Karla Rothan became the Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus,
and the organization became their family mission. In addition to chairing the
Pride Parade, Linda helped chair the annual Pride Brunch with over 600
attendees. Again, dedicated volunteers were at the helm stuffing brunch bags,
greeting and seating participants.
In 2008,
Board President Letha Pugh and then, Executive Director, Karla Rothan saw the
need for senior adult programs for the LGBTQ+ community. As a former senior
center director, Linda stepped forward to become the volunteer coordinator of
the Stonewall Columbus Trailblazers. Now with her cochair, Mark Miller, Linda
continues to serve in this role.
LGBTQ+
seniors are at greater risk of social isolation, mental and physical health
issues, and premature death because many lack traditional family structures and
rely heavily on partners and friends of a similar age to help. This is where
Linda steps in to fill the gap by creating the Stonewall Trailblazers. COAAA
helps fund the program that is housed at Stonewall Columbus, an organization
that increases visibility, inclusion, and connection for the LGBTQ+ community.
As
director of the Trailblazers, she collaborates with other organizations to help
with programming. LifeCare Alliance provides lunch for a monthly Lunch and
Learn Series. She develops a robust schedule that includes group activities once
a week, monthly happy hours, senior performances at CATCO, the Symphony,
BalletMet, and Evolution Theater.
Programming
has included a fitness program (hiking, Tai’Chi, a walking group, and weightlifting),
a holiday party, light tour of the city, several trips to local attractions, and
accessibility to the Pride celebration that includes a special tent and parking
for Trailblazer members.
Linda’s
other volunteer work includes being a nine-year board member for Stonewall
Columbus, a six-year board member of the Legacy Fund of the Columbus
Foundation, and a CATCO board member for nine years.
Linda
received numerous awards for her work, including the HRC Equality Award that
recognizes outstanding efforts for those who use their voice to publicly stand
up for the LGBTQ+ community. She received the Steven Shellabarger Illumination Award
for showing exceptionally creative leadership in promoting and advocating for
LGBTQ+ rights. Linda was the Grand Marshal of Columbus Pride, which recognizes
local heroes who made significant contributions to the Columbus LGBTQ+ community.
She also received the Short North Alliance Unsung Hero
Award that
honors individuals who enrich the quality of life of the Short North and
Columbus through volunteer efforts and contributions to advance art, community,
diversity, and the Short North spirit. Most recently Stonewall Columbus created
the “Linda Schuler Volunteer of the Year Award” to honor outstanding service in
our community. She was the first recipient in 2021.
Linda was
raised in Columbus and attended The Ohio State University. During her 30-year
career at the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, Linda created Park
Playhouse at Whetstone Recreation Center, the Children’s Drama Company, and a Summer
Interactive Theater Program that toured Columbus city playgrounds. For 21
years, she was the director for Marion Square, Martin Janis, and McDowell
Senior Centers. She chaired the Creative Arts Event for 21 years, an event that
features arts and crafts created by central Ohio older adults. The event
attracted more than 6,000 visitors. She also chaired the Fall Gala for 13 years
and the event brought over 500 ballroom dancers to dance to the music of the
Martin Janis Center’s, big band, The Golden Buckeyes.
Linda sums
up her lifetime of work by simply stating, “I was so lucky to have a job that I
loved!