Christine Perlin-Gump, Louisville activist for peace and social justice, passed away on November 19, 2020. She is survived by her husband Michael, her son Max of Lexington, and her daughter Rina of Louisville. Christine loved her job as interpreter and attended classes every day to assist Spanish-speaking students in understanding and communicating.
Several years ago Christine joined Kentuckians for Single Payer Health Care, enthusiastically jumping into the work to bring the struggle to the broader public. She was elected to leadership as a member of the KSPH steering committee. She led power-point presentations to teach single payer in every venue possible–even once in a noisy bar. She rode her bike to dozens of festivals where she staffed booths, explained the issues endlessly, and persuaded people to sign petitions. Christine was courageous, energetic, full of fun, and creative. She dressed up in Irish attire to help carry the banner in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, stuffed endless envelopes, and led educational discussions.
In 2018, Christine wrote, produced, and directed a health care skit that was performed on the sidewalk in front of the Humana Headquarters in downtown Louisville.
When Kentuckians sat-in at the office of Senator Mitch McConnell to stop further destruction of health care, Christine was there, proudly demanding health care justice and ending up with a citation from Homeland Security that accused her and others of “failure to comply.”
Christine was not afraid to take a stand. Her inspiration and work will continue in those she touched. Kentuckians for Single Payer Health Care will honor her memory.
The notice in the Courier-Journal is at this link.
