FWC's Board Member Nancy Grant honored for Lifetime Contribution by UNE Deborah Morton Award

The University of New England is pleased to announce the four newest members of the Deborah Morton Society. The award recognizes Maine women distinguished by their careers and public service, or whose leadership in civic, cultural, or social causes has been exceptional.

The 2020-2021 awardees are Linda Cross Godfrey, president of Atlantic Leadership Center; Nancy Grant, lifelong bicycle/pedestrian/trail advocate; Susan Hammond, executive director of Four Directions Development Corporation; and Janet Mills, governor of Maine.

Nancy Grant discovered her calling in life almost by accident. In 2000, she asked her town’s select board and staff for their help to address the safety hazards facing residents walking or biking on the main street. Six years later, her energy, persistence, and resourcefulness resulted in a completely rebuilt two-mile section of road, complete with sidewalks and paved bike shoulders. This experience led her to a career fulfilling her passion for making Maine a better and safer place to walk and bike.

From 2011 to 2017, Grant served as executive director for the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, a statewide non-profit committed to making Maine a better and safer place for biking and walking. During her tenure, the coalition started BikeMaine, an annual eight-day bike touring event developed to promote Maine as a bicycling destination and to use cycling as an economic development tool for local communities; the Community Spokes Program, a statewide training program for local bicycle and pedestrian advocates; and Bikes for All Mainers, an education and earn-a-bike program for under-resourced Mainers.

"Grant, a lifelong bicycle/pedestrian/trail advocate, is the chair of the Active Transportation Committee of Friends of Woodfords Corner. In this position, Grant continues her pursuit of making walking and biking viable and widespread modes of transportation." READ ABOUT THE OTHER HONOREES