Living Her American Dream

When she was only five, Ingrid Sunzenauer and her Austrian parents sailed to the United States while their city of Linz recovered from wartime damage.

The Sunzenauers arrived in Bethesda, Maryland, in the mid-fifties. Ingrid started school, which was difficult initially, as she was new, shy, and spoke little English.

Gradually, Ingrid’s family acclimated to their new life. They bought a small house, made friends, and sharpened their English skills. Following the Austrian tradition of Sunday outings, they explored the parks, towns, and museums around them. Ingrid found her footing in school, relishing a happy childhood.

Ingrid attended the University of Maryland, the first on her father’s side of the family to attend college. She found her passion for science and obtained her master’s degree. With a commitment to the environment, Ingrid pursued a career in conservation.

Her first job was at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where she learned her forte was project management. Ingrid held various regulatory positions, collaborating with teams of human and health scientists, economists, and other specialists. While at the EPA, she met her husband, Ralph, and before long, they were married. Ralph, an outdoorsman, introduced her to the state of Maine, where Ingrid fell in love with the woods, the scent of balsam, and the countryside that reminded her of her native Austria. They bought a house there, which she enjoys each summer.

Ingrid feels fortunate that she has lived the American dream—and now has an ardent desire to give back. In addition to other organizations, Ingrid supports WAMU, which she discovered also through Ralph. It’s an integral part of her life, having listened to it for years. Ingrid enjoys the objective reporting, the hosts, the friendly morning banter, and the entertaining shows.

With her commitment to the environment, Ingrid made a gift in her will to strengthen environmental coverage at WAMU. Her future support reflects two things she deeply cares about—the natural world and WAMU.

Make an Impact at WAMU

With your help, WAMU can continue to bring you news that matters to you for years to come. And, when you make a gift through your estate plan to WAMU, it automatically qualifies you to join our 1961 Society, where you’ll meet other passionate listeners, just like you.

If you decide to include WAMU in your estate plans, please let us know, so we may welcome you into our 1961 Society and meet, thank, and celebrate you! Please contact us (information below) to learn more.

Contact Eliza Saunders at 202-885-8904 or esaunders@wamu.org to learn how you can support your favorite quality programming through your estate plan.