
Bredes came to the University of Rochester in 1999 to lead the center which conducts research and serve as a information clearinghouse on women’s issues, particularly in the field of politics. Joel Seligman, president of the University of Rochester stated: “Her research on women in politics had an impact on the democratic process at the state, regional, and national levels. Nora was a person of extraordinary commitment and intelligence who made a difference in the life of our university.”
A native of Huntington, New York, in the 1980s Bredes was the driving force behind a grassroots movement that halted the opening of the Shoreham Nuclear Power plant on Long Island due to concerns over safety.
Bredes, a graduate of Cornell University, served for six years in the Suffolk County legislature on Long Island. In 1996, she ran unsuccessfully for Congress.


