It is with heavy heart that I am writing to share the news of the death of Joan Almon on July 14th due to pancreatic cancer. Joan co-founded the Alliance for Childhood in 1999 and served as its director until 2012, when she continued to serve the Alliance as director of programs.
In addition to our monthly lunches, Joan and I spent many hours and days together envisioning the future of the Alliance for Childhood, hashing out where the next opportunity might present itself to further our mission, and traveling to meet with both long-time and new partners. Her laser focus was always on how to shed light on issues of deep concern for all children to experience a healthy and joyful childhood.
Representing the Alliance, she brought together professionals from many sectors...education, health, business, child welfare and many more to identify unaddressed issues contributing to the growing stress and strain in children's lives - working collaboratively to strengthen childhood for all children. She treasured the opportunity to converse regularly with our Alliance for Childhood partner organizations in Europe and South America - eager to gain new global perspectives on children's issues.
Joan worked tirelessly as an advocate and wrote and lectured extensively on child development, early education, and the need to restore play for children and youth with a special focus on the need for play-based learning in preschools and kindergartens. She wrote many articles and chapters in books and co-authored the Alliance for Childhood report, Crisis in the Kindergarten: Why Children Need to Play in School.
More recently, Joan compiled and edited Playing It Up-With Loose Parts, Playpods, and Adventure Playgrounds to highlight unique and impactful play opportunities across the U.S. One of her ongoing commitments was to seek out and support emerging leaders and new or innovative programs, and to promote the amazing work of others engaged in efforts to improve the lives of children.
Joan was formerly a Waldorf early childhood educator who taught for 18 years in Maryland and then consulted with schools around the world. Her concern for childhood on the global level never waned, and she worked to highlight the needs of children worldwide and the wonderful programs serving children. At the end of her life, Joan was working on a book to be called, Learning with Children. Though incomplete, it will be published.
Joan would want us to keep pushing to eliminate the many influences detracting from the healthy development of children. During my last conversation with her, she shared that she was content and grateful for the life she had. In fact, I believe her exact words were, "I've had a great life!" While cut too short, her impact on children worldwide is her legacy.
To honor Joan and to continue her legacy, Alliance for Childhood is establishing the Joan Almon Childhood Legacy Fund in her memory. Information about the fund and a future memorial service for Joan will be forth coming.
In memory of Joan, all my best,
Linda
Linda L. Rhoads, Executive Director