Most people know that Elaine Hadley has been the Battle Creek Pride Treasurer for the past three years. They may also know that she worked until her retirement at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center. But there are lots of fun facts about Elaine you may not know. Like these…
1. She was a music nerd in school.
“I began playing viola in Third Grade and played through high school and a bit beyond. I played bells in the Marching Band – I just thought it was fun and I loved the road trips. And I sang in B.C. Central A Capella Choir with the best bunch of people I’ve ever met. Nowadays, I lean toward classical and music from the 60s and 70s.”
2. In high school she toured Romania.
“It was with my high school choir – 100+ strong (we were good, ya’ll). Three weeks in a country where drinking was legal – and some of us took full advantage. It was a trip of a lifetime, back when Romania was still behind the “Iron Curtain”. We were able to go with a grant from The Reader’s Digest Foundation and went as “Ambassadors of friendship”.”
3. She was not fully “out” until she was 61 years old.
“It has been a most freeing and illuminating journey experiencing my authentic self. You’re never too old to be who you were meant to be.”
4. She’s retired from the Federal Government, and works part-time stocking groceries.
“It’s an awesome gig. As an independent contractor, I get to work when I want. And having some extra $$ ain’t bad, either.”
5. She has 15 tattoos, with #16 planned for early spring.
“I didn’t get my first tattoo until I was 59, and now I’m unashamedly addicted. Every one is carefully thought out, and has deep personal meaning for me. The first one was a little fitness nymph holding dumbbells – she was the “mascot” of an online group I was a part of that helped me lose 70 pounds. It was a beginning of me living a healthier life. And #16, I’m not telling about. I’ll only say, for me, it signifies recovery and healing.”
