Nancy L. Kelly
(September 19, 1950 – July 23, 2018)
Daughter of Sarah Persis Drake and Albert Warren Carson
Nancy Kelly has been spearheading grassroots movements in conservationism, political activism, and women’s rights since her early college years. While a student at Radford College, Kelly co-founded a women’s campus group that worked for equal opportunities for women and repeal of laws criminalizing abortion. During the 70s, she worked as a lobbyist to secure scholarships and funding for women’s athletic programs (Title IX).
In 1974, Kelly was hired as the first woman police officer in Roanoke, Virginia. Early on, she dealt with discrimination, sexual harassment, and widespread resentment in the community over women being hired to do men’s jobs. Kelly shared a locker room with fellow male officers and struggled with a uniform (skirt) that was not suited to police work on the streets. Kelly walked a beat, patrolled heavy crime areas and worked covert narcotic operations with the local department, the AFT, and the FBI. Kelly’s history-making role afforded her the opportunity to appear on countless television programs, and she was frequently the subject of media reviews which only seemed to fuel further resentment among her colleagues. A change in attitude toward Kelly came after after she demonstrated courage in a shootout and successfully apprehended the suspect. This, followed by her skillful handling of a difficult rape case, earned her the respect of her male counterparts. Eventually, Kelly was elected to serve on the Board of Police Patrolman’s Association.
Kelly continued her law enforcement career as a Special Investigator for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) until an untimely injury form an auto accident forced her into retirement.
During the 80s, Kelly served as an Intern and Congressional Liaison for former New Jersey Congressman, James Florio. She also worked as a volunteer Probation Officer for the County of Camden.
In 1980, Kelly moved with her family to Juneau, Alaska where she played an integral role in laying the groundwork for a juvenile diversion program that eventually became the foundation for the City of Juneau’s Youth and Family Services Division.
Kelly returned to Virginia in 1984 and became actively involved in numerous civic league activities, including the infamous (but successful) fight against the Cogentrix Coal Unloading Facility. Driven by the tenacity of Hunters’ Point residents and 27 other Portsmouth Civil Leagues who threatened to secede from the City of Portsmouth, a win-win compromise was achieved by all parties. Kelly served as President of the Hunters Point Civic League for three terms and an alternate on the Portsmouth Federation of Civic Leagues.
Kelly lived in Virginia Beach and continued her fight for women’s rights, animal rights, and other causes.
A graduate of Temple University, Kelly holds a Bachelor Degree in Political Science; and a Masters in Business Administration and Technology Management from the University of Phoenix. Kelly was noted along with other veteran feminists in the acclaimed, “Feminists Who Changed America, 1963-1975”, edited by Barbara J. Love (University of Illinois Press, 2006). Kelly and other Washington area feminists were honored at a reception a the historic Sewall Belmont House and Museum in October 2007.
(Bio provided by Nancy Kelly before her death)
