271 Nancy Hanson: Following in My Mother’s Footsteps: Fighting for Systemic Change

Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined

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 no other way of being.

Early on, she joined the League of Women Voters and in each of the cities in which she lived, when she and her husband moved multiple times, Nancy found causes she could learn about, study and advocate for through the League. Growing up in the 60s, Nancy believes her story is no different from others in her generation. They were the transitional generation that blazed the trail for women to come.

“Social work embodies advocacy - helping the underserved is how I live my life.” - Nancy Hanson

Nancy remains active . She volunteers for the Boulevard, a shelter for unhoused people who have been hospitalized and have nowhere to go when they leave the hospital; has created a community garden so the Boulevard can cut costs and serve residents healthy meals; used her social work experience to change public policy and fights for civil rights and climate change.

She recognizes how lucky she is to have health insurance that covers serious illness. "I could be right there with all these people I advocate for. Stereotypes wash away and disappear."

CONNECT WITH NANCY:

Email: [e-mail]

The Boulevard of Chicago

Chicago League of Women Voters: https://www.lwvchicago.org/