Elba Cruz Schulman
Elba Cruz Schulman was born and raised in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. After coming to New York City when she was eleven years old, she was educated in the New York school system. She attended the University of Massachusetts and graduated New Hampshire College, now Southern New Hampshire University with a Batchelor’s degree in Human Services. She also attended the University of Connecticut School of Social Work with credits toward a Masters in Social Work.
Mrs. Schulman has led a full life of service to the community, including employment as a drug counselor, family and youth Counselor and Therapist, Coordinator for Northern Connecticut for the Cuban Refugee Entrants Program, Community Educator and, for the last thirty (30) plus years, as a Medical Social Worker for the City of Hartford, starting first in a new program over thirty-five (35) years ago as a supervisor in the Maternity Infant Outreach Program. She was the Coordinator for the Hartford Mayor’s Passport To Success program, aiming to provide all youth in the City of Hartford with the opportunity to succeed in life. She also coordinated and raised the funds for the annual Festival of Lights program in Hartford where 1000 children receive Christmas and holiday toys.
However, that does not tell the full story about Mrs. Schulman. She has served on the Boards of Directors of numerous community organizations, including My Sisters Place, the United Way Allocation Committee and Y-US, Inc. She has served as President of the Advisory Board of the Institute For The Hispanic Family, President and then member of the Capital Region Board of Directors of Catholic Family Services/Catholic Charities and Charter Member and President of the Hartford Multinational Lions Club. She has served on the Lions District 23B Cabinet in various capacities over the years, and has served as organizer and Guiding Lion of several area Lions Clubs, including the Greater Hartford West Indian Lions Club and the Hartford Hispanic Seniors Lions Club. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Health Council, Inc. and Jewish Family Services, Inc. She is Vice-President of the Larrabee Foundation. She is on the Board of the Hispanic Health Council, Inc. She has served as a member of her parish council at Sacred Heart Church in Bloomfield and serves further as a Commissioner of the Bloomfield Housing Authority.
Mrs. Schulman has received a number of awards and recognitions, including the 1999 Lewis Fox Middle School Outstanding Woman Of The Year Award, the Maria Sanchez Award for outstanding community service and a University of Connecticut Certificate of Appreciation for a lifetime of outstanding commitment and dedication to help issues effecting women and children and being a role model for all citizens.
Mrs. Schulman is married to Attorney Sydney T. Schulman, who is a former Mayor of Bloomfield. She served as First Lady of Bloomfield and is or has been involved in many organizations and efforts in Bloomfield, such as the Association for Bloomfield’s Children, School Readiness Council, Rehoboth Church of God Community Development Group and others. She has seven (7) children, thirteen (13) grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, who are the light of her life.