Ady Barkan parents: Meet Diana Kormos Buchwald & Elazar Barkan

Ady Barkan, known to many as a dedicated American lawyer, liberal activist, and an influential voice for healthcare reform, touched the lives of countless individuals with his advocacy and unwavering commitment to social justice.

Born to immigrant parents from Romania and Israel, Barkan’s upbringing and the values instilled in him by his family played a significant role in shaping his path to becoming a prominent activist. Let’s take a closer look at the remarkable parents who raised this influential figure.

Meet Diana Kormos Buchwald

Diana L. Kormos-Buchwald, Ady Barkan’s mother, is a distinguished academic in the field of the history of science. She holds the position of professor at the prestigious California Institute of Technology. Her work and research have contributed to our understanding of the development of science throughout history. Diana Kormos Buchwald’s achievements in academia have undoubtedly been a source of inspiration for her son, instilling in him a deep appreciation for knowledge and the importance of intellectual pursuits.

Meet Elazar Barkan

Elazar Barkan, Ady Barkan’s father, is equally accomplished in his own right. He serves as a professor of international and public affairs at Columbia University, a respected institution known for its contributions to education and research. Elazar Barkan’s career has revolved around international affairs, a field that explores the complex dynamics of global politics and diplomacy. His work in this area likely contributed to Ady Barkan’s understanding of the broader social and political issues that he later championed in his activism.

Ady Barkan’s Impactful Life

Ady Barkan’s life was a testament to the values and principles he imbibed from his parents. His commitment to justice and advocacy for a more equitable healthcare system in the United States was unyielding. Even in the face of a devastating ALS diagnosis, Barkan continued to fight for the rights of those in need. He co-founded the Be a Hero PAC and organized campaigns at the Center for Popular Democracy. His passionate confrontation with Senator Jeff Flake in 2017, urging him to “be a hero” by voting against a tax bill that threatened essential social safety net programs, became a defining moment in his activism.

Despite being diagnosed with the terminal neurodegenerative disease ALS in 2016, Barkan’s determination remained unshaken. He was hailed as “the most powerful activist in America” by Politico Magazine in 2019 and was included on Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020. His influence extended to the political arena, as he served as a national co-chair of the Health Care Voter. Barkan’s voice resonated far and wide, and he was recognized as one of the Top 50 Political Thinkers by Politico in 2016 and included in the 50 Most Influential American Jews by Forward in 2018.

Barkan’s remarkable journey was marked by powerful moments, including his dialogue with presidential candidates like Cory Booker. His memoir, “Eyes to the Wind: A Memoir of Love and Death, Hope and Resistance,” published in September 2019, provided readers with a deeply personal perspective on his experiences and his unwavering commitment to creating a more just society. The book was endorsed by notable figures like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders and featured a foreword by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

In the later stages of his life, Barkan continued to be a passionate advocate, addressing crucial issues such as the accessibility of COVID-19 vaccines in a pre-recorded message to the Pfizer board of directors as part of Oxfam’s shareholder resolution campaign. His tireless dedication to fighting for a more just healthcare system in the United States earned him the “Freedom from Want” award from the Roosevelt Institute in September 2023.