When the COVID-19 pandemic brought life to a standstill, Linda Little didn’t flinch. She led with clarity, compassion, and urgency—transforming NSO into a vital safety net for Detroit’s most underserved communities.

As fear and uncertainty gripped the city, Linda acted swiftly to ensure no one was left behind. She oversaw NSO’s rapid pivot to telehealth, preserving critical access to behavioral health services at a time when in-person care was nearly impossible. For many, these virtual connections became a lifeline—preventing crisis, supporting mental health, and offering continuity during chaos.

But Linda’s vision extended beyond the screen. She recognized an alarming gap in care for unhoused individuals recovering from COVID-19. Hospitals needed to discharge patients, but shelters couldn’t safely accommodate them. In response, Linda championed the creation of Michigan’s first Recuperative Housing Center—a groundbreaking facility offering medically monitored recovery in a dignified, supportive setting. It wasn’t just a temporary fix; it was a bold innovation in public health infrastructure that balanced compassion with pragmatism.

Her leadership reverberated beyond NSO. Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Linda to Michigan’s Task Force on Racial Disparities, a high-level initiative tasked with addressing the disproportionate impact of the virus on communities of color. There, she was more than a voice—she was an architect of solutions, ensuring equity wasn’t an afterthought but a cornerstone of the state’s pandemic response.

In a time defined by crisis, Linda Little led with action. Her response to the pandemic reflected the hallmarks of her leadership: resilience, innovation, and a deep-rooted commitment to the health and dignity of every individual. Through every challenge, she reminded us what true public service looks like.