(1920 - 2013)
Theo Crevenna, the ACLU of New Mexico's longest serving board member, has passed away.
Born in Frankfurt,Germany in 1920, Crevenna fled from the Nazis to Switzerland with his mother during World War II and immigrated to the United States at age 19. After studying at UNM, Theo worked for the Organization of American States (OAS), a multilateral forum dedicated to the advancement of democracy, the promotion of human rights, and the expansion of social and sustainable development in the Americas and the Caribbean. In his 30 years of service at OAS, he served as Chief of the Social Science Section, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Deputy Director of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs and Director of the Office of Fellowships & Training.
From 1974 to 1978, Theo served on the Human Rights Commission in Fairfax County,Virginia where he witnessed extreme acts of discrimination and segregation. As he worked to reform inequitable practices in employment, housing, education and public accommodations, he garnered a profound interest in civil rights issues and joined the ACLU as a life member in 1975.
Theo’s involvement with the New Mexico affiliate of the ACLU began in 1979 when he joined the board of directors. In the early years, Theo lived in Santa Fe and worked closely with ACLU lobbyist Diane Wood on legislative affairs. He helped to organize a group of volunteers to read every piece of legislation introduced in a legislative session to make sure that no civil liberties violations slipped through unchallenged. The group still functions today. Theo has held numerous leadership positions in the organization and served as Vice President of the affiliate at the time of his death.
Theo was a passionate death penalty abolitionist and champion for the fair treatment of immigrants. He was named “Civil Libertarian of the Year” and received the “Rock of Gibraltar Award” in 1996.
"Theo was the consummate gentleman and diplomat," said ACLU of New Mexico Executive Director Peter Simonson. "He had a special appreciation for decorum and treating others with respect, even if he disagreed with them. At the same time, Theo wouldn’t hesitate to say what was on his mind and raise even uncomfortable issues with an honesty and forthrightness that few of us could match. He constantly looked out for the best interests of the ACLU and would speak passionately, forcefully about the issues he believed in. He was a true leader on the board, and his decades of service to the organization were invaluable. Theo will be missed."
