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367 Patricia Koko: Turning Ideas into Services with Lasting Impact
When Patricia (Pat) Koko, age 82, reflects on her life’s work as a young homemaker turned consummate volunteer and community change-maker, she often says things like, “that was kind of fun,” or “there just was a need”—-simple phrases that belie an...
361 Phyllis Booth: Forming a Lifetime of Loving and Supportive Attachments
“I continue to educate parents and practitioners about building better relationships through attachment-based play.” - Phyllis Booth Attachment is interwoven throughout Phyllis Booth’s professional and personal life. Now Clinical Director Emerita of...
355 Laurel Baer: Caregiving Offers a Deep Sense of Purpose
When Laurel married in her late 50s, she never imagined she’d become her husband’s full-time caregiver just five years later. Now, twenty years into that journey, she calls it a blessing: “He is so easy to care for…. I have released early feelings of...
349 Phyllis Rubin: Practicing Tikkun Olam—Repairing the World
At 81, Phyllis Rubin embodies tikkun olam—repairing the world. After her husband’s death, and during the pandemic and political upheaval, she stepped fully into activism. A “feet-on-the-ground” leader, with a collaborative style, Phyllis champions...
347 Kathleen Haney: Generous and Responsible Care for Self and Others
At 75, Kathleen (Kathy) Haney embodies resilience, purpose, and care. Family duties once slowed her college path, but persistence carried her to an undergraduate degree in occupational education and a graduate degree in vocational education...
340 Jean Olson: Living an Enchanted Life, with Adventure and Verve
Jean Olson, age 70, describes her 13 years in the Foreign Service as an “odd and torturous path,” that included a successful class action suit against the federal government. Jean left the Foreign Service (stints in Europe and South America) for her...
339 Beverly Schlotte: Farm Life is a Wonderful Way of Living
Beverly Schlotte, age 76, loves living on her farm near Webster, South Dakota, where she and her late husband, married 53 years, “worked and planned together” as they raised their family of four. After retirement from many years of teaching “kids that I...
275 Sandy Gordon: A True Advocate Lives for the Causes She Believes In
When Sandy Gordon retired at 70, from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Rosemont, Illinois as Director of Public Relations, a colleague gave her a toast. It said in part: “Sandy has the kind of talent that startles people. Really. Her...
271 Nancy Hanson: Following in My Mother’s Footsteps: Fighting for Systemic Change
A life of social service requires a deep commitment to reaching out, helping out and finding those paths that have meaning to you. Throughout Nancy Hanson’s entire life, she has been doing just that. Following in the footsteps of her mother, Nancy knows...
245 Mary Ann Cooper: Saving Lives through Lightning Injury Prevention & Safety
When lightning strikes, where do you go to avoid injury? If you live in the United States, you likely have easy access to a safe building or car. In fact, fewer than 20 people die annually from being struck by lightning. But for people who live in the...
213 Helen Shiller: Daring to Struggle, Daring to Win
Helen Shiller, age 75, was a six-term alderperson in Chicago’s poor and oppressed communities where she advocated for radical changes to police misconduct, poverty, and racism. Starting in the early 1970s, Helen’s activism took a page from the Black...
197 Jacqueline Boyd: The-Care-Plan Tackles the Unique Care Challenges of the LGBTQ+ Community
{spp-player] As a queer, biracial woman, Jacqueline Boyd, BA, BS, CGCM, has advocated for her community by offering services that address specific care needs. She is especially interested in how to provide people with continuing care in their homes. Her company,...
190 Diane Deaderick-DeMartra: Breaking the Cycle of Intergenerational Poverty for Young Women
Diane Deaderick DeMartra, a professional who has worked in corporations, non- profits, and higher education, devotes her passions and talents to “enlighten, educate, and empower inner-city teen girls and young women, especially teen and young, single...
131 Marilou Eldred: Called to Lead and Serve
Marilou Eldred, Ph.D., was called to serve others as a young girl. She devoted ten years as a nun with a teaching order and, upon leaving the convent, embarked on her journey as an educator. Marilou has held top level leadership positions in higher...
117 Meg Forney: Parks Raise the Quality of Life for Everyone
Meg Forney, age 73, advocates for all things park related in Minneapolis, Mn., “the city inside of a park.” As the oldest elected official in the city, Meg serves as a Commissioner-at-Large with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board where she is...
116 Teresa Powell: A Polymath for the Social Good
Teresa Powell, age 72, has always been driven to do something significant with her life. During her pursuit of many interests and causes, Terri developed as a polymath, acquiring experience in the arts, business, education and health care, along with...
093 Nancy Fuhrman: Goals Drive Your Actions in Retirement
Nancy has always worked hard to keep everyone in her large blended family connected. As she and her husband, Steve, looked far into the future, she brought the family together to discuss their estate plan and guidelines, ensuring they would all be...
078 Cat Parenti: Living in Afghanistan: An Extraordinary Life of Service
“Building bridges of culture, understanding and respect… I thank you for giving voice to the wonderful history and culture of the region.” – Hillary Rodham Clinton This honor by Clinton is only one of numerous accolades that chronicle Cat’s journey from...
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