Frances Jeffries: Global Peacemaker

Frances Jeffries holds a PhD in Counseling from Kent State University and has spent her career weaving together education, service, and activism. She is a Rotary Peace Fellow, a mediator, and an outspoken advocate for nuclear abolition — calling nuclear weapons “the number one public health issue.” She recently marked her 84th birthday by hiking 84 miles of the Appalachian Trail to raise awareness and inspire action. She is also known locally for plunging into icy waters each New Year’s Day to raise funds for ShelterBox, supporting communities displaced by conflict and disaster. Through it all, Frances has shown us that determination, courage, and care can fuel movements for change. Her story demonstrates that grandmother leadership is about both steady presence and bold action.