# Florence Schornstein - While Katrina was devastating to New Orleans, Florence Schornstein holds on to the hope that the disaster can galvanize the community to fight for change. [view details](/media/florence-schornstein-better-attitude) [ ![Florence Schornstein with Sandra Day O'Conner, 1985](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_width_300px/public/mediaobjects/schornstein_oconnor.jpg?itok=ClOgPImI "Florence Schornstein with Sandra Day O'Conner, 1985") ](/media/schornsteinoconnor) Florence Schornstein with Sandra Day O'Conner at reception tea for International Women's Forum at the Supreme Court in 1985. [View Details](/media/schornsteinoconnor) Florence Schornstein’s activism began in the civil rights movement, where she helped with efforts to register voters and integrate schools. She was also active in the Jewish community as president of the National Council of Jewish Women from 1968–1970. But the main focus of her career had always been New Orleans itself, beginning with her appointment as director of the City’s Parks and Parkways Department in 1980. After Katrina, she mobilized the community through Parkway Partners’ ReLeaf New Orleans to plant and tend trees in public spaces, replacing the greenery lost to the storm. She also worked to restore infrastructure as a member of the Sewerage and Water Board and helped rebuild childcare centers throughout the city. To view Florence Schornstein's full interview, please visit the [Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/FlorenceSchornstein-31-Jul-2006-KatrinasJewishVoices). Topics: [Voting Rights](/topics/voting-rights), [Children](/topics/children), [Civil Service](/topics/civil-service), [Organizations and Institutions](/topics/organizations-and-institutions) 0 Comments You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Your name Comment [About text formats](/filter/tips) - No HTML tags allowed. - Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically. - Lines and paragraphs break automatically.