Eileen Hansen(1951 - 2016)

San Francisco lesbian feminist and social justice leader Eileen Hansen died of multiple myeloma on April 29, 2016. Eileen's life encompassed a long, passionate story about living with integrity, joy and purpose. From her adolescence until her final days, she devoted herself to the work of advocating for people left out and left behind. 

Born May 1, 1951 in Salt Lake City, Eileen entered adulthood with qualities that would shape her life's trajectory. She was deeply unsettled by injustice. Eileen's path for peace and justice began in the 1960's, fighting against the Vietnam War, racism and the inequities of class. While in her early 20's she embraced the labor movement, worked for strong unions and became a community organizer.

After moving to San Francisco in 1985, Eileen helped harness the tragedy of the AIDS epidemic into a vehicle of social change. She helped create and lead dozens of vital HIV/AIDS organizations in the Bay Area, always focused on policy and systemic change. Decades of service to multiple advocacy and cultural nonprofits as interim executive director and consultant continued these goals. Eileen also helped to build important coalitions that expressed her belief in creating social and economic justice for everyone.

She received many appointments to city commissions, including Building Inspection Commission, Vice Chair, Mayor and Board of Supervisors' Joint Task Force on the HIV Epidemic and member of the San Francisco Ethics Commission.

Between 1992 and 2002, Eileen helped to run eight political campaigns. In 2000 and 2002, Eileen and many devoted supporters ran her campaigns for the Board of Supervisors.

Eileen acknowledged that what she valued most of all was her many deep relationships, especially the one at the very center of her life: her 30 plus-year partnership with Denise Wells. Along with Denise, Eileen is survived by her brother, Scott W. Hansen, his wife, Peggy, their daughter, Maddie, her sister, Lisa Mietchen, her husband, Scott, and their children, Abby and Alex. Eileen was the daughter of Jerome Reid Hansen and Berta Margaret (Lowe) Hansen. Eileen was close to Denise's extended family who cherished her as one of their own.

A memorial service and celebration will be held Wednesday, June 8th at the First Unitarian Church at Franklin/Geary Streets in San Francisco from 5:00-7:00pm, reception to follow. In lieu of flowers please donate to a cause you love.