Carolyn Hancock

November 5, 2017

I was born in Detroit, Michigan during the Second World War. I have lived in Michigan my entire life, except for the last two years, when I lived in Florida. I graduated from high school in 1962, right during the beginning of a very unique period of U.S. history. I began my pursuit of higher education studying Fine Arts, but quit school after two years, and married my high school sweetheart. It was the 60’s and I got involved in both the new feminist and the anti-war movements. I was one of those women who was raised to get married and have children and found myself in a new reality of women’s rights and independence. It changed my life forever. My husband and I divorced after 10 years. We have one child, Monica, who lives in Mt Pleasant. I eventually found my back to college, attending the University of Michigan and earning a degree in Physical Geography.

I have had a series of work experiences along the way too numerous to mention, so I will begin where it is relevant to our community. I was the coordinator of Special Media Services at Central Michigan University from 1979 until 1994. During my time there, I worked on and received an M.A. in Counseling. After graduating, I started a counseling practice, Community Counseling Associates, here in Mt. Pleasant. In 1995, I sold the practice and I moved to East Lansing to take a position in a large group practice, Comprehensive Psychological Services.

I have lived in the country on various farms most of my adult life. The last one, a 10 acre organic market garden farm, was in Bath, Michigan. My partner of 22 years, Deb Allore, and I grew fruit and vegetables and herbs for our own use and to sell at the local Farm Market. At 70 years old, I decided that I was done with working that hard. Many of our friends and some family had moved to Florida, so we joined them two years ago.

I missed my family, including daughter Monica, granddaughter Veronica, her partner Michael and their children, my great grandchildren, Mia 11, Jordan 9, Aria 4 and Michael 2. All of my great grandchildren are proud members of the Chippewa Tribe. We recently bought a condominium here in Mt. Pleasant, as a second home, so that I could spend time with my family.
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I was raised Catholic, left that during my 20’s and I have wandered and explored many different faith communities for a very long time. Since moving here, I discovered the UU church, and I immediately felt a connection. Social activism and human rights have been a consistent thread throughout my adult life. I am attracted to that being the foundation of this church, I am also drawn to the commitment to community. I am happy to become a member and have a spiritual home. I am passionate about combating racism, women’s rights, domestic violence, environmental issues and the corporate take-over of our food supply. Music is my most important hobby - attending concerts, and collecting CDs. I have a very wide range of listening taste and have 100 stations on my Pandora. Ambient, blues, classic rock and fusion jazz interest me the most right now.