AIM would not exist today without Judy Walser. When Sister Joann Viademoros and Monsignor John Enzler from Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church dedicated $10,000 to found AIM and hire the first part-time organizer from the IAF, they pulled in Judy, who served on the church’s social justice board, to help. Judy is beloved at her church and affectionately known as “Saint Judy.” 

From the start, Judy embraced organizing with AIM, using her excellent relationship-building skills. Judy helped turn out hundreds of people from Our Lady of Mercy to AIM’s first action in 2000, which was held there. She wrote personalized thank-you notes to each person who came.

As part of AIM’s taxi cab campaign, Judy met with dozens of seniors and people with disabilities and found that the limited transportation they had access to was woefully inadequate. People were being stranded at the grocery store for hours waiting for a taxi, or would not be picked up in time for an appointment. Through her relational organizing, Judy helped achieve victory in the taxi cab campaign, creating a better voucher system and more accountability for the cab company that had held a monopoly in Montgomery County.

Judy also played a key part in AIM’s campaign to rebuild community centers in historic African American neighborhoods. Judy formed a strong relationship with Bette Thompson, the central leader of the campaign from the Scotland community. Their relationship began when Judy saw someone trying to push a stroller across Seven Locks Rd and pulled over to ask them about the lack of pedestrian infrastructure. That person then connected Judy to Bette, who organized with her community and other communities across the county to completely renovate four centers in historic Black communities.

AIM is proud to honor Judy for her commitment to helping us achieve victories for social justice. Judy has dedicated herself to AIM and truly embodies our relational culture. We are grateful for her leadership.

"Judy's leadership grounded in compassion, consistency and commitment played a critical role in laying the foundation for what AIM has become. I cannot imagine those first few years without her joyous presence and determination."
—Mark Fraley, Former AIM Organizer

"Judy Walser is a foundational leader of AIM. For 25 years, she has combined courage and caring in relational power at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, with AIM, and with political leaders in our community. It's been a joy and an honor to work with her through our victories."
—Rabbi Mark Raphael

Reflection from Judy:

"Growing up Catholic in Greensboro, North Carolina, I was taught from an early age the Catholic Social Teachings, including ‘Life and Dignity of the Human Person,’ ‘Solidarity,’ and ‘Care for God's Creation.’ My priest passionately preached against poverty and built an affordable housing development on the church property. These early experiences inspired my interest in social justice.

In the 1990's, at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, I was on the social justice board, and our church hired a social justice minister, Sister Joann Viademoros. She started building relationships with churches up and down Seven Locks Rd., as well as CASA and other organizations. After several years, we had a coalition of 10 congregations, and we approached the IAF (Industrial Areas Foundation) to ask if we could form an affiliate. Our Lady of Mercy’s pastor, Monsignor John Enzler, gave AIM the seed money to approach the IAF. After overcoming some initial barriers, we formed Action in Montgomery, and Mark Fraley came on as a full time organizer from the IAF.

I enjoyed being part of this new organization. We could accomplish things in AIM that I could not do by myself. I understand power differently now because of what AIM has taught me. The power of the people can achieve real change.

I was involved in many of AIM's campaigns over the years, including funding for affordable housing, in-state tuition at the University of Maryland for undocumented immigrant students, and renovation of 4 community centers in African-American neighborhoods. I had the opportunity to work with many inspiring leaders and organizers.

Today, working with AIM for the cause of social justice gives me hope in the difficult political climate we're living in. And I continue to encourage others to join us.”