Barrie Fiske was a tireless tobacco control champion committed to using her strong voice to fight for change. Born with cystic fibrosis, Barrie faced a real threat to her health whenever exposed to secondhand smoke. Rejecting smoke-filled places that put her and everyone else at risk, Barrie spoke up and advocated for everyone’s right to breathe clean, smoke-free air, joining Tobacco-Free Kids as a New York State Advocate and a member of our Board of Directors.
Barrie’s passion, persistence, creativity and unapologetically hard-hitting style never failed to inspire. While cystic fibrosis ultimately took her life in June of 2019, we honor Barrie’s legacy by naming our highest youth award after her – the Barrie Fiske National Youth Advocate of the Year Award. We can think of no better way to honor Barrie and her deep commitment to our cause than to hold up her fierce example to the young advocates we recognize each year.
Thanks to a generous challenge gift of $250,000 during our 25th Anniversary celebration, the Barrie Fiske Youth Leadership Fund is providing the foundational funding to take our Youth Advocacy program to the next level.
The “Barrie Fund” will become a permanent part of what we do and who we are, and the youth leaders who receive the Barrie Fiske National Youth Advocate of the Year Award will create a legacy to Barrie and the values she exemplified.