We are very sad to announce the death of an absolute legend in the world of adolescent sexual health. Barbara Huberman, APPCNC's founder, passed away on Saturday, May 17th, after a brave battle against leukemia.

Barbara founded our organization in the 1980s, at a time when teen pregnancy was steadily increasing. As a nurse and one of the nation's first Lamaze educators, Barbara had assisted with the delivery of a baby to a 10-year-old girl in Charlotte. As she watched the new mother coloring in her hospital bed, the baby nearby in a bassinet, Barbara decided there had to be a better way to help young people.

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Barbara oversaw the development of community councils across North Carolina, and ultimately state funding to address teen pregnancy through North Carolina's Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiatives. She led the state as it turned the corner from increasing pregnancy rates, through the peak in the early '90s, and toward the historic declines we've seen in recent years. She also organized the very first Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, now a national event.

Barbara's work extended far past North Carolina's borders. More than 10 states developed organizations like APPCNC, with help and inspiration from Barbara. In addition, she helped found the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.

Barbara left APPCNC to join Advocates for Youth, and dedicated herself to creating a more productive understanding of adolescent sexual health. In 1998, she created the European Study Tour to help public health professionals understand why Europe and the United States had such dramatically different teen pregnancy rates, even though teen sexual activity rates were similar. From these tours, she developed Advocates for Youth's framework for addressing adolescent health in a way that is inclusive, respectful, and positive. Barbara stayed at Advocates for Youth as their Director of Outreach and Education, leading their Rights, Respect, Responsibility Campaign, until the end.

Barbara was far more than her contributions to this field. Barbara was a wonderful friend. She was smart, energetic, and unafraid. And we will miss her terribly.

The Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina is North Carolina's only statewide nonprofit dedicated to adolescent pregnancy prevention and sexual health. Learn more at appcnc.org.