Nancy L. Peterson

September 15, 1939 – July 3, 2009

Researcher: Charles Joseph Website Creator: Charles Joseph & Joy Kong

A portrait of Nancy Lee Peterson

World Citizen

Nancy Lee Peterson was a woman who lived by her own accord. She had a positive impact on the world around her, never backing down to social stigma or traditional gender roles.

Her life was dedicated to a number of causes that she believed in, including:

Women's issues
Environmental protection
The Lutheran faith
Federal policy concerning Native Americans
Public Education and Healthcare
Global Humanitarian efforts
Single motherhood

Nancy Lee Peterson's birth certificate

A Traveller

Nancy Lee Peterson, was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on September 15, 1939. Nancy grew up in a modest family in the American Midwest, but as her life's work proves, her ambitions extend far beyond her hometown. Growing up, she moved around the Midwest, eventually graduating from high school in Peoria, Illinois. After high school, she went to DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. She graduated from DePauw University with a bachelor's degree in 1961. It is worth mentioning that in 1960 she was also given the opportunity to study in Vienna, Austria. After earning her degree in Indiana, she moved west to continue her life's journey.

United Nations Association

Nancy L. Peterson traveled extensively on the behalf of the United Nations Association of San Francisco – an organization for which she served for eight years as President. She often traveled to remote corners of the globe, visiting places such as Cuba, North Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Taiwan. On her professional resume, Peterson states that she has traveled to over 60 different countries.

She would travel to these locations to learn about pertinent issues that women were facing. As a leading member of the UN Association, her role was to serve as an informant and collect information about places that she was unfamiliar with.

United Nations Association logo. Peterson was the President of the UN's chapter in San Francisco for 8 years.

Peterson also led delegations for the American Women of International Understanding (AWIU). She was a Regional Representitive for the AWIU and traveled to Eastern Europe after the reopening of these countries in 1989-90.

Cover of Nancy's book.

The book was originally published in 1981 under the title Our Lives for Ourselves: Women Who Have Never Married.

Mother & Author

Nancy Peterson defied traditional gender norms when she decided to have a child. She enlisted the help of a man she knew; the man was married at that time and had his own family, but he agreed. Peterson bore a son - Teddy. Her method of having a child was unconventional, but she proved capable of being a single mother.

Later on, she would write a book about her experience, as well as the experiences of other single mothers.

Nancy Peterson proved to be a capable mother while also having a busy and successful professional career.

Other Involvements

Sierra Club

Peterson was also a member of the Sierra Club. This group was an outdoors/ hiking club that advocated for environmental protection.

She enjoyed going on hikes with the Sierra Club every Wednesday.

Lutheranism

Nancy Peterson was devoted to the Lutheran faith her entire life. She recieved recognition as Honorary Alumnae for her services with the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.

She also traveled to St. Petersburg, Russia for a fund-raising project to restore a Lutheran seminary in the city. Later, she worked as a docent for three months, preserving the works of Martin Luther.

Local Affairs

Peterson was also active for the wellbeing of her local community: Albany, CA. She was involved with the Albany Traffic and Safety Commission as well as the Albany Rotary Club.

Page updated

Report abuse