36 Nan Stoops (she/her)

The life of Nan Stoops is a testament to perseverance, having come from humble beginnings to become a ray of hope for those in need. Her narrative includes the innumerable lives she has impacted and changed in addition to her own path. Nan Stoops dedicated her life to anti violence, having been an advocate and organizer for more than forty years. She seeks to create change with honesty.

Nan Stoops started her path in 1977 as a volunteer at the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center. She experienced a pivotal moment in her life when she met numerous individuals in need and realized she wanted to be a part of the change. As Stoops’s activism grew, she came to understand the value of cooperation and coalition building. She co-founded a variety of significant organizations including the National Coalition for the Homeless, The Women’s Community Building Initiative, and Women of Color Against Violence (INCITE). These organizations gave voice to those who were previously silenced and offered platforms for discussion, activism and group action.

Currently, Nan Stoops is the Strategic Advisor of the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV), where she has served as the Executive Director for seventeen years. In addition, she chaired the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) board of directors and held positions on several additional advisory groups and boards. Nan Stoops has always been dedicated to assisting survivors of sexual assault throughout her career. She campaigns for improvements in policies which will better assist survivors, as well as public speaking engagements, community organizing, forming organizations, and cooperating with other stakeholders to bring about systemic change in society’s response to and prevention of sexual assault.

Nan Stoops’s contributions have been widely recognized by her community. She has received honors from respected institutions and organizations, including the Seattle Girls’ School Grace Hopper Award, being named one of the Seattle Storm Inspiring Women in 2018, and the Social Justice Champion accolade. She was also named the 2019 recipient of the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Dream Award.

Ultimately, Nan Stoops’ incredible path as a social justice advocate has been defined by her persistent dedication to fighting systemic injustices and strengthening vulnerable communities. She has altered the face of activism forever with her tireless campaigning, cooperative attitude and policy improvements. The legacy of Nan Stoops is an essential reminder how one person’s commitment and enthusiasm may spark revolutionary change, encouraging others to take up the quest for an equitable society. Her contributions will always impact people’s lives, influencing the direction of social justice activism in the future.