Judith “Judi” Buchman (1948–2021) was raised in Pemberville, Ohio, and graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in Education. After a year of teaching in a public school, Judi moved to Grand Rapids, MI, and lived in several cooperative households. Judi worked for 15 years as a teacher at Climbing Tree School, which later reorganized as New Branches Charter Academy.

Judi was a member of the Grand Rapids Society of Friends (more commonly known as Quakers) and a lifelong peace activist. They were a staunch opponent of the Vietnam War and lived below the income level that required that they pay federal taxes to fund the war.

Judi supported and wrote for several local alternative publications, including The Root, New River Free Press, Equity, and The FUNdamentalist. They also co-wrote a chapter in the book Downwardly Mobile for Conscience Sake with their life partner, Richa. Judi became a volunteer with several social organizations, including Circles of Peace and what would become God's Kitchen, the YWCA sexual assault support group, and the Creative Response to Conflict International. Judi was also a key point person for the Global Resources Committee of the Institute for Global Education.

Judi moved to Well House, a homeless shelter, about 1995, eventually working there on staff and later becoming the director. In 2000, Judi was part of the Grand Rapids Mayor’s Justice 2000 Task Force, which made policy change recommendations to the City of Grand Rapids to foster societal equality and promote community improvement.

Judi died in 2021 and was survived by their life partner Richa, who donated the material within this collection. The information in this summary came from Judi's obituary, which was written by Richa.