BY BROOKE RUTMAN
Background: Felice Hannah was born in North Carolina and raised in New York City. Her father passed away, leaving her mother to raise three daughters by herself. Hannah said that her mother’s advice was to “set goals and work to achieve them, be proud of who you are, take time to help others and get an education.”
Occupation: Upon graduating from nursing school, Hannah received her first job as a nurse. She loved nursing, but soon realized that it wasn’t her passion. She later decided to become a teacher. Hannah retired from the New York City Board of Education as an administrator. Prior to her retirement she also worked as an adjunct professor.
Community Involvement: In 2013, Hannah was the first African-American elected to the North Shore Towers board of directors as the political action chairperson.
“I was lucky to select a group of dedicated individuals to work with me in bringing many candidates for political offices and elected officials to North Shore Towers,” Hannah said.
The group presented monthly seminars and workshops on health, domestic violence awareness, voting procedures, fire safety, understanding co-op abatements and taxes, and avoiding identity theft.
Currently Hannah organizes workshops for her retiree union. She is also a volunteer for the Board of Elections and a volunteer as a state-certified Medicare consultant. Her responsibilities as a Medicare volunteer include assisting individuals in navigating the complexities of the health care system and to access their benefits.
“Nothing warms my heart more than when I am able to access services and benefits that will allow a person who is living alone with a chronic disease to remain in their homes with dignity upon their request,” Hannah said.
Biggest Challenge: “My biggest challenge through all of the adversity has been to keep my eyes on the prize and to maintain a positive attitude about myself,” Hannah said.
Greatest Achievement: Hannah’s greatest achievement was becoming a mother and raising her two children to believe and achieve. “As an African-American woman, I have been faced with many, many challenges,” Hannah said.
Biggest Inspiration: Hannah is greatly inspired by her mother, as well African-American historical figures who triumphed in the face of adversity, such as Sojourner Truth, Dr. Alexa Canady, Janet Collins, Eva Jessye and Shirley Chisholm.
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