Dottye Burt-Markowitz grew up in a blue-collar neighborhood of East St. Louis, Illinois, where taking care of family, friends, and neighbors was part of everyday culture.  After college at Texas Christian University, she worked as a public aid case worker in New York City, did job development and counseling in the anti-poverty programs of the 1970’s, and then earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in psychology from Southern Illinois University and pursued post-doctoral research at the University of Florida.  Her field of study was brain and behavior, particularly focusing on dopamine systems and their role. Most of her adult life work has been in racial justice education and consultation with nonprofits and faith communities.  Dottye has a long history of volunteer activism on issues of education, the environment, international peace and justice, community organizing, and now—nursing home reform.  She is Co-Chair of the Family Council at the nursing home where her husband is in his 5th year of residence after 2 years in assisted living.  Her caregiving is supported by a circle of family and friends and the joy-bringing presence of the granddaughter who visits the nursing home often.