[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 34 (Friday, February 20, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E146-E147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF NANCY NORDHOFF

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PRAMILA JAYAPAL

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 20, 2026

  Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Nancy Nordhoff. Nancy passed away peacefully on January 7 at the age 
of 93 at her home on Whidbey Island, surrounded by her family. She 
fiercely and steadfastly championed women's rights, literary prowess 
and environmental causes for over five decades.
  Nancy was a beloved Pacific Northwest philanthropist, a giant among 
giants who used her resources and her time to make change that 
supported and lifted up the voices and the needs of those who are too 
often left behind. Throughout her lifetime, she generously founded and 
supported groundbreaking nonprofits and her local community. Everywhere 
she turned, she made people's lives better--not only in Washington 
State but across the United States and the broader global community. A 
proud graduate of Mount Holyoke College, Nancy's feminism, charitable 
giving and activism were the foundation of her life's work--seeing a 
need, coming up with a solution and taking action to make people's 
lives better.
  In 1988, Nancy founded Hedgebrook, a world-renowned nonprofit on 
Whidbey Island that supports female-identified writers with residencies 
and radical hospitality, on land that allowed for rest, rejuvenation, 
creativity and a reconnection to nature. Hedgebrook has established 
hundreds of new and known writers who came to bravely define their own 
lives, communities, and creative and political paths. But it wasn't 
just the place: it was Nancy herself, who never stepped away from the 
work. She was there, meeting writers, listening to their ideas, 
educating herself and often becoming the wind in their sails. Over 38 
years, Hedgebrook has supported a growing and influential alumnae 
community of women authoring change--now over 2,000 writers strong--
that has reached millions of people of all ages. Hedgebrook's ripple 
effect is truly remarkable, and I was fortunate to meet Nancy through 
my own residency and then later to serve on the Board as Hedgebrook 
grew, and then on the Creative Advisory Board with luminaries like 
Gloria Steinem.
  Nancy's philanthropy and environmental advocacy also profoundly 
shaped her local community's physical and civic landscape. She founded 
Goosefoot Community Fund to support essential needs, help local 
businesses grow, preserve historic places and rural landscapes, and 
connect neighbors. She was instrumental in supporting Whidbey Camano 
Land Trust acquisitions, restoring salmon habitats and protecting 
wetlands. Many organizations benefited from Nancy's hands-on support 
and largess. She literally got her hands dirty every day and was always 
the last to fold up tables at the end of countless social justice and 
book events she made happen. Her humility, grace and compassion were 
just some of the many qualities that set her apart and made her so 
beloved.
  Nancy was also known to support families and individuals in a time of 
need. She mentored many women in nonprofit leadership and philanthropy 
while championing their creative projects and careers. I was one of 
those very fortunate ones to have called Nancy a true friend, such a 
remarkable and constant presence in my life as mentor and supporter in 
every endeavor I undertook--from my early work on immigrant rights to 
my transition into politics. Nancy never wanted acknowledgement, even 
though she received numerous honors and awards for her life's work, 
including being designated a Women's History

[[Page E147]]

Month Honoree by the National Women's History Project and a National 
Philanthropy Day ``Outstanding Philanthropist.'' It is not an 
exaggeration to say that millions of people who will never know her 
name have and will continue to benefit from her extraordinary life and 
legacy.
  Nancy is survived by her wife Lynn Hays, her children: Grace 
Nordhoff, Charles ``Chuck'' Nordhoff, Carolyn Nordhoff Reid and their 
spouses; and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We extend our 
gratitude to them for sharing her with the world. Nancy's legacy of 
generosity and kindness will live on for generations to come.

                          ____________________