Linda A. Dickerson

1961 - 2020

BiographyLinda A. Dickerson was born to W. Logan and Ann Dickerson on January 12, 1961 in Greensburg, Pa. Dickerson fostered a passion for animals during her formative years on Lindwood Farm, the family’s estate. The Dickerson family raised cattle, horses, ostriches, and pigs among other animals at the farm. Dickerson was born with Werdnig Hoffmann Disease, which caused muscle weakness. Dickerson used a wheelchair throughout her life. Despite assessments that demonstrated her intellect, Dickerson was homeschooled until the third grade because school facilities were inaccessible at the time. Due to the advocacy of her parents, Dickerson attended classes with her peers in the Greensburg-Salem School District. In junior high, Dickerson switched to a school in the Hempfield School District because the building was more accessible to students who used wheelchairs. Dickerson returned to the Greensburg-Salem School District for high school, again owing to the facilities being more accessible. Dickerson graduated in 1978 and matriculated at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), completing her degree in 1981. Dickerson was the first student who used a wheelchair to attend CMU. Dickerson’s father, a CMU alumnus, assisted in making the campus more accessible. In 1982, the Dickerson family established an endowed scholarship in Linda’s name to award funds to CMU students with disabilities. Dickerson later earned a Master of Arts in Communications from Duquesne University.

In 1981, Dickerson partnered with her father to purchase a franchise of Barter Systems International. Dickerson partnered with fellow franchisors to aid in professionalizing the business by developing sales training manuals that were distributed to other franchises. She also became involved in the international trade association. Around 1983 or 1984, Dickerson partnered with fellow industry members to form a new barter entity known as TradeGroup that would facilitate larger barter transaction between large corporate clients. This venture was ultimately unsuccessful.

Dickerson was a partner in Riverview Publications, Inc. which operated the Pittsburgh-based business publication, Executive Report. By the late 1980s, Dickerson was president and publisher of Executive Report. In 1997, Dickerson donated the publication to the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance.

Dickerson’s next venture was Dickerson and Magnus Ink, an umbrella issues consulting firm she cofounded and operated with Patrick Magnus beginning in the early 2000s. Eventually Dickerson established her own business known as 501c3², a boutique management consulting firm specializing in non-profit and corporate giving consulting business.

Dickerson lobbied for the Americans with Disabilities Act and advocated locally for increased accessibility of buildings and transportation for people with disabilities. Following the passage of the ADA, Dickerson was co-chair of Pittsburgh’s Forging a New Freedom, which was an awareness raising initiative following the passage of the ADA. Forging a New Freedom held barrier awareness days to promote greater understanding of the obstacles faced by people with disabilities in navigating society. Dickerson was also an ardent supporter of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Dickerson further advocated for accessible housing for people with disabilities, successfully arguing for a change in zoning at Gateway Towers to build an accessible apartment adjacent to her office.

Dickerson holds the distinction of serving as the inaugural chair of the Allegheny Regional Asset District, an initiative for which she assisted in lobbying. Dickerson was very active on the boards of regional non-profits, including the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, Carnegie Mellon University, Homeless Children’s Education Fund, Leadership Pittsburgh, Visit Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre among many others. Dickerson received numerous awards throughout her lifetime, including Vector Woman of the Year in 1996, Pittsburgh Business Times Women in Business Award, a Junior Achievement Hall of Fame member, and a Heinz History Center History Maker in 1997.

Due to her extensive involvement in the region’s non-profit and business community, Dickerson was known for her networking skills and was well-regarded for her gift giving spirit.

Later in life, Dickerson communicated with an eye-gaze device. Linda Dickerson died on September 26, 2020 at the age of 59.