Where Has Lorraine Been?

1.      How did you spend the first 3-5 years after you graduated from Jane Addams?

 Immediately after graduating, I was hired by NASW Chicago to write grants and organize the membership to fight the Nixon Budget cuts.( Talk about ancient history!) 

I worked at 220 S State  Street for Marion Orr, a really lovely ED of NASW. 

That summer my husband and I quit our jobs and headed for traveling full time. We had a hard time getting organized because we were so busy watching the Watergate Hearings. I remember telling the in- laws that we were not sure we would ever be back to live in the US! We put cars, motorcycle and wedding presents in his parents' garage and left for a year and a half. We covered South and Central America, parts of Europe and North Africa. In Rome we discovered that we  were about to become parents so returned home a few months before our first daughter was born. We had three babies in five years so no more social work until I was coerced into doing some grant writing by the inimitable Edward Potts who was the Executive Director of the Lake County United Way in the early 80's. 

2.      What three words describe your life in the 80’s?

If I had 3 words for the 80's they would be : Bad hair, Being Mom, and Back to work. 

3.      What is your favorite memory of the 90’s?

My favorite memory of the 90's was the time that  I was asked to go to NYC and present new Chicago programs for the National MS Society Board of Directors .  I worked as Client Services Director there for five years. Chicago, of course, always rocked!

4.      Where is your favorite place you traveled to since graduating from Jane Addams?

We've done a lot of traveling but I think I especially enjoyed Marrakesh, Morocco and anywhere in Greece or Italy. 

5.      Have you picked up any fun hobbies since graduating from Jane Addams?

 I've been doing some watercolor painting and some photography. and  have had  some success in  trying to create the family tree online. 

 I've also become a Docent at the Museum of WI Art, and in the process I  am learning a lot about art and artists. 

6.  What is your favorite memory of your time at Jane Addams?

My favorite memory of JA UIC was the time that  a group of us, under the leadership of Joe Roche, went down to the loop to the plaza of the Dow Chemical Headquarters and staged an Anti War demonstration that somehow involved Joe being an airplane and the rest of us standing around until there was a rumor of police coming and then we all impersonated ghosts and disappeared.  

7. What is something new you learned in the 2000’s?

 In the 2000's I learned a lot about dementia and Alzheimer's and retired from the Association in SE WI., and as a volunteer for the American Red Cross, learned how to provide Mental Health Services to disaster Victims.What I'm still trying to learn in the 2000's is how to be retired.  

8. How will you spend the holidays this year?

 We'll spend the Holidays with family. My only sister and I have created a tradition of gathering with our children and grandchildren for Thanksgiving  at her home on Anna Maria Island in Florida. The inter generational Scavenger Hunt is always a highlight! 

9. Any other important news you would like to share?

The biggest upcoming news  this year is our fortieth anniversary on January 28, 1973. Also, We received our Anniversary present early when our kids gave us a trip to Ireland this past summer.