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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...
076 Naomi Paulson: Courage, Curiosity and Grace – A Life Well-lived
Growing up during the depression, Naomi Paulson's earliest memories are of living during wartime and experiencing multiple moves. At 9, she moved from New Jersey, where she loved the outdoors and had the freedom to roam, to New York. Always one to make...
069 Harriett Cholden: Everything to Help and Nothing to Hinder
As a young adult, Harriett visited Chicago from her home in Waterloo, Iowa, and never looked back. She got a job teaching 5th grade at an independent school based on the progressive philosophy of John Dewey and stayed for 40 years. Upon retirement 16...
065 Diana Appell-Kassler: Life is a Puzzle – Families are a System
Living in 9 places in 11 years taught Diana how to adapt as a young woman. She had to figure things out. First an art therapist and then a school adjustment counselor, Diana realized she would need multiple degrees to further her career and provide her...
059 Susan Halverson Westerberg: Using Professional Know-How for the Social Good
Susan, age 71, reflects on the life steps that brought her from farm life in Minnesota, to advanced degrees and licensures in Virginia, to a faculty position in Oregon—a new Ph.D. at age 50. While on sabbatical from her work in marriage and family...
046 Susan Ross: Living Solo with Verve
Sue Ross, age 74, took 8 years to transition from her full-time faculty position in Social Work to “being done” in 2018. Even though Sue taught gerontology and retirement transition, she needed plenty of time to “find my way” through the process. A...
041 Cordelia Ryan: Retired With A Smile On Her Face
Cory Ryan is a former nun of the Congregation of Maryknoll Sisters in Maryknoll, New York. She saw it as a way to pursue a life of exploration and service. She participated during a period of time when the church began to recognize that sisters were...
033 Rita Corley Baker: Lifelong Advocate, Therapist and Activist
Growing up in a patriarchal Irish Catholic home, Rita followed her 2 older siblings into the convent, believing a life of service was only available inside a religious community. 12 years later she had come to understand that she could be a witness and...
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