Ryemarkable Arlyn Gardner

Meet Arlyn Gardner, a woman whose journey from Cleveland to New York City is filled with courage, compassion, and a lifelong dedication to helping others. From her early days at the Barbizon Hotel for Women to decades spent leading charitable organizations that changed countless lives, Arlyn’s story is one of reinvention, resilience, and generosity of spirit.

Can you tell us a little about your background and early life?

I grew up in Cleveland in a very traditional household with my parents and my brother, who is just one year younger than I am. We were very close growing up. My father passed away at 55 when I was in my twenties, and that was a difficult time. My mother later remarried a widower, which brought a new chapter into her life.

What brought you from Cleveland to New York City?

I went to college at Case Western Reserve University, but I always had this feeling that I was missing out by staying in Cleveland. I knew I needed to get out and see more of the world. I saved $1,500, enough for airfare and a few weeks’ stay at the Barbizon Hotel for Women in New York City.

The Barbizon was an all-women’s residence, men weren’t even allowed in the elevators! My room had a view of a wall, torn curtains, and was incredibly depressing, but I was determined to make it work. I went down to the lobby one day and met another young woman, Marjorie Rapkin from Minneapolis. We hit it off instantly, decided to become roommates, and found an apartment together. We lived together for several years until she got married. I had several other roommates, all of whom got married. I finally decided to live on my own and moved to a wonderful one room apartment on East 35th Street.

How did your career begin?

My father had been in the motion picture business in Cleveland, so perhaps it was in my blood. When I came to New York, I landed a job at CBS working on a Sunday television show that covered major events from World War II. Most of my colleagues were young, from out of town like me, and we bonded instantly. Some of us are still in touch today.

I worked as a production assistant at CBS for 10 years and absolutely loved it. When the show eventually went off the air, I transitioned into a new role at an organization that supported children with learning disabilities. That work was deeply meaningful, especially because my son, Nick, also had learning disabilities.

Who were some of the mentors who shaped your journey?

One of the most influential people in my life was Carrie Rozelle, a woman I worked for whose husband was the commissioner of the NFL. Carrie founded the National Center for Learning Disabilities. We bonded over the fact that we both had children with learning disabilities. She became a mentor and gave me the self-confidence I didn’t have at the time. She encouraged me to take on leadership roles, and thanks to her, I became the Executive Director of NCLD for ten years.

What inspired your work in facial reconstruction and philanthropy?

After that chapter closed, I became the Executive Director of the National Foundation for Facial Reconstruction, which supported children and adults with facial differences who received surgeries at NYU. Our work was to raise funds and awareness so that patients could receive the care they needed. It was incredibly rewarding to see people’s lives transformed through those surgeries. That organization still exists today under a different name.

After retiring from National Foundation for Facial Reconstruction I volunteered regularly at Bottomless Closet, an organization that provides clothing and support services to women who are transitioning to work from welfare.

You’ve spent your life giving back. How has volunteering shaped you?

Volunteering has always been my MO, and my husband’s too. It’s part of who we were as a couple. Last night I attended an event for Bottomless Closet, an organization that helps financially challenged women with professional clothing and job skills. It was wonderful to reconnect with that community after several years and reminisce about all we accomplished together.

Tell us about your family and life in Rye.

My husband and I actually met on the beach in East Hampton (each of us had share houses there) and we were married for 55 years before he passed away five years ago. We have three children: Nick, Alex, who is three years older and a lawyer living in the city, and a daughter Julie who is a therapist in Austin, Texas. I have two very caring daughters-in-law, Stephanie and Linda.

We raised our family in Larchmont for 27 years. Once our kids were grown, we found a home on the water in Rye, and it was a wonderful place to live. Today, I’m happily settled at the St. Regis.

When you look back on your journey, what are you most proud of?

The work I did with people who had facial deformities. We made a huge difference in their lives. Many came to us disfigured and left with a new sense of self. It was inspiring to see how their lives changed, and to know we helped make that possible.

What advice would you share with women (and especially moms) about giving back, staying curious, or reinventing themselves at any age?

Seek out something that genuinely interests you. Don’t do something unless it’s a passion. When I started working in facial reconstruction, I didn’t know anything about it, but it became my passion because I could see the impact it had on others. That’s what matters.

I always try to make a difference in people’s lives. I’m fortunate to have the financial means to give back, and I do so generously through charity donations. It’s my way of showing gratitude.

My children have also made a huge difference in my life since my husband passed away. They’ve helped me move forward and live a life I couldn’t have without them. I’m very lucky to have three devoted children.