Fath explains the secret of public service

Friends and admirers gathered in the foyer of Austin Energy’s Shudde Fath Assembly Room last night to honor the recently retired longest-serving member, ever, of the Electric Utility Commission, Shudde Fath. Fath, who will turn 102 in January, retired after 40 years on the EUC in November because it had become physically difficult for her to go to the meetings. Council Member Delia Garza, who was the final City Council member to appoint Fath, read a proclamation declaring Monday as Shudde Fath Day in Austin. Mayor Steve Adler and Council Member Jimmy Flannigan also came by to congratulate Fath and thank her for her service. For her part, Fath told the group she has a mantra to explain how she does what she does and why: “You’ve got to give a damn about something. And then work to try to make it happen. And you can’t do it alone. You need others to help you. And you don’t win them all, but it might’ve been worse if you hadn’t tried.”