- Nancy Skinner Nordhoff
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Nancy Skinner Nordhoff Born Nancy Skinner
1932
Seattle, Washington, United StatesNationality American Occupation Philanthropist
EnvironmentalistNancy Skinner Nordoff is an American philanthropist and environmentalist. Nordoff's work is primarily focused in the Seattle and Langley, Washington regions, where she works to empower women, support rural communities and promote environmentalism of Washington's flora and fauna. In 2006 she was designated a Women's History Month Honoree by the National Women's History Project.[1]
Personal life and education
Nordoff was raised in the Laurelhurst neighborhood of Seattle, Washington by her parents, Winifred and Gilbert Skinner.[2][3] She was the youngest daughter of three children.[2] Her family historically philanthropists. Her grandmother, Jeannette C. Skinner was one of the founders of the Seattle Children's Hospital, and her grandfather, Edward Skinner, was intricate in Alaska's economy. Her brother, D.E. Ned Skinner helped to improve Seattle life during the 20th-century and helped create the 1962 Seattle World's Fair and would help fund the restoration of the 5th Avenue Theatre.[2]
Nordoff described her home life as "broken". Her parents were alcoholics and divorced by the time she was five. She grew up living with her mother, who was a career volunteer. She attended an all girls Catholic school and played volleyball in school.[2] In 1954 she graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a degree in chemistry.[2][1] After school she would go on to get her pilot's license and would fly a single engine Piper Tripacer across the country during her early days of philanthropy, between 1955 and 1957.[2] In 1957 she met Arthur Nordoff, the son of the founder of Bellevue Airfield.[2] They would be married and have three children.[3]
At the age of 50 Nordoff quit all volunteer projects and bought a van and drove traveled the country, which served as her mid-life crisis. Through her travels she sought to find herself and explore her place in the world. This time would provide the inspiration for the Hedgebrook Retreat Center. Still an active philanthropist, Nordoff enjoys visiting Las Vegas with her daughters and playing slot machines. Nordoff lives in Langley, Washington with her partner Lyn Hays.[2]
Philanthropic career
Nordhoff generously puts her money, time, and energy into visionary projects. Her sense of achievement comes not only from funding and building, but from having an idea and taking action to make it happen.
The National Women's History Project, 2006[1]After graduating school she dove into philanthropy. She did work with the United Way and the Skinner Family Foundation.[3] In 1985, after her mid-life crisis, Nordoff built and founded the Hedgebrook Writer's Retreat. A retreat center that overlooks the Puget Sound, the center serves to encourage women to empower themselves through writing. The center provides full support for attendees, providing them food, accommodations and travel stipends.[1] In 2006 Gloria Steinem spent three weeks at the retreat center.[3]
Nordoff also utilizes her philanthropy to support environmental causes. She donated and built a downtown park to the city of Langley, Washington. In Langley she also funded the restoration of an old farmhouse for the conference facility of the Whidbey Institute and donated 24 acres of wetlands for salmon conservation. In order to support her philanthropic work in the area, she founded the Goosefoot Community Fund, a non-profit corporation, which helps to sustain the "rural character" of Whidbey Island through environmentalism, sustainable development, affordable housing and rural economic support.[1] The Fund has renovated historical areas of the island, including the Bayview Corner and Greenbank Farm.[3] Nordoff has also financed projects through the National Women's History Project. For over 25 years she has served as a funder and advisor for the Women's Funding Alliance of Seattle.[1]
In 2009 Nordoff was awarded the National Philanthropy Day award for "Outstanding Philanthropist".[4]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Nancy Skinner Nordoff". Women's History Month. National Women's History Project. 2006. http://nwhp.org/whm/nordhoff_bio.php. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "School of life". What do you think?. South Whidbey Record. 2004. http://www.southwhidbeyrecord.com/lifestyle/21645689.html. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ a b c d e Valerie Easton (2007). "Nancy Skinner Nordhoff". Portraits. The Seattle Times. http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20070513&slug=pacificportrait13. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ "National Philanthropy Day 2009 - Nancy Nordhoff Outstanding Philanthropist". YouTube. 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGLzhCUGwyc. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
Categories:- 1932 births
- American environmentalists
- American philanthropists
- Female aviators
- LGBT people from the United States
- People from Island County, Washington
- People from Seattle, Washington
- Living people
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