Claire Ebel, the face and voice of the American Civil Liberties Union in New Hampshire, spoke truth to power for more than 30 years. She did that work in the legislature, the schools, the public libraries and anywhere two or more were gathered. She had practically no financial resources and a staff of one secretary. But no matter, she cheerfully struggled on. I say “struggled” because it was a struggle. There was Gov. Thomson who lowered the state flag on Good Friday (among other notorious actions). There was Gov. Judd Gregg who sought to remove a display from the statehouse grounds because it offended his religious sensibilities. Just a few examples from her long career of confronting state power employed in religious matters.
Claire was, in fact, a first responder, a civil liberties fire department and police force rolled into one. She was there for the public libraries faced with censorship. She was there for the students who faced discrimination in their speech and dress and for teachers who were arbitrarily disciplined. She fought for women’s rights and against sexual discrimination. The list goes on and on. Sadly, Claire Ebel died in early April. She built the foundation for what is now the American Civil Liberties Union New Hampshire. But her most important legacy is the many people she helped and the many laws she helped reform. Fortunately for all of us, her work goes on.
Richard Hesse
Hopkinton