Biography
Nancy Stratford Kennedy is a native Utahn born into a service- and community-minded family. She graduated from Utah State University with a degree in secondary education, fought forest fires for four summers, served a religious mission to Spain, and worked as an intern for Senator Orrin Hatch.
Nancy has interspersed raising her five children over the years with teaching in various capacities. She has taught college-level courses at USU and Bridgerland Technical College and was a monthly presenter on KSL’s Studio Five cooking segment. Nancy loves to travel and has been blessed with many opportunities to see the world. She’s also been a leader in the community, serving in the Civic Improvement Club, hospital board, and as president of Piecemakers Quilt Guild.
Nancy’s children have all graduated college and served missions for their church. She has five grandchildren, with two more due in the spring, and loves being a grandma.
Watch Nancy’s three-minute speech: “What Being a Mother Means to Me.“
Parenting Philosphy
There’s a magnet on our fridge that reads, “Mothers give children roots and wings.” I believe mothers should provide children the solid foundation on which to build fulfilling lives. The roots of faith, patriotism, service to others, and unconditional love are all manifested through the day-to-day serving and living that we do. Children also need vision, the chance to learn new ideas, expand their horizons, try new challenges, and stretch their wings.
I want to be present in the “crossroads”—the comings and goings as they progress through the day, asking the important questions about their activities, saying “I love you” as they head out the door, and “welcome home” at the end of a long day. I’m convinced that reading to and with children every day gives them a window to the outside world that electronics cannot. Cheering them on in sports, clapping in the audience, and supporting them in their choices are so important to an interconnected, successful family.
Working with adults in community activities helps kids develop a sense of self and discover potential job and career opportunities, hobbies, and interests that magnify the work going on in our home. My children have worked alongside me in many capacities, decorating for school carnivals, setting up for public events, carrying banners in local parades, taking food to neighbors, serving in church organizations and activities, all the normal events of a busy life. It’s so much fun to watch them now with their little families doing similar things.
Motherhood and Community
As a woman of faith, I believe “when you are in service of your fellow beings, you are in service of your God.”
I’ve had many opportunities to serve others through my church as president of local women’s, young women’s, children’s, service, and educational organizations. For five years, my husband and I served Hispanic congregations in our area, teaching English classes in families’ homes and administering the language program. I now serve as assistant to my husband in his role as ecclesiastical leader at the county jail, where we teach, counsel, and work with inmates, providing weekly church services and education classes. Working in these capacities, I’ve had the opportunity to help individuals who don’t fit the traditional mold find hope, opportunity, and fulfillment for their lives and families.
I love working with my children and young people in the community!
As a 20-year leader in Boy Scouts of America, I’ve worked as Cub Leader, Merit Badge Counselor, and Committee Chair. I have been awarded the District Award of Merit, On My Honor Award, and Silver Beaver. I’ve also taught community 4-H clubs, sewing, cooking, photography, and childcare to over 150 kids over 25 years. I’ve chaperoned school choir and sports trips, sewn costumes for over 27 community and school plays, served in PTA/PTOs, been active in numerous school booster clubs, and been room mother, reading aide, computer aide, and tutor. There is no greater fulfillment than being an influence for good in the life of a child, and my work in the community helps me realize that joy.
I passionately believe education can change the world, one child at a time.
I was elected to the local school board and have served four terms. I was also elected president of the Utah State School Boards Association and have worked extensively with state and national legislators to make laws that create educational opportunities and improve funding for all children. Currently, I chair the Utah Trustlands Advisory committee to represent education stakeholders in the distribution of $75 million to local schools. Through education, we elevate the outlook of our future generations.
Letter of Recommendation
Nancy is a dedicated mother who made sure she was there at the “crossroads” of her children’s lives and by doing so gave them solid foundational “roots” while allowing and encouraging them to develop and soar on their own “wings”.