In Memoriam Diane Doherty July 14, 2025    ____________     The National Homelessness Law Center mourns the passing of Diane Doherty, who served as our Founding Board Chair. Diane passed away on July 14, 2025—much too soon—and leaves behind a legacy of fearless advocacy, deep compassion, and lasting impact. Diane had been the Executive Director of the Illinois Hunger Coalition since 1996. Over the years as the Executive Director of the IHC, she received many awards and accolades for her tireless advocacy at the federal, state and local levels for programs and policies that reduce hunger. In addition to being a founding Board Member of the Law Center, Diane also helped found the Grassroots Collaborative dedicated to organizing for racial and economic equity.  Before moving back to Chicago, Diane served on the faculty of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. in the National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health. She was also an adjunct faculty member in the graduate school of Social Services at Catholic University in D.C. During that time, she worked with homeless women at Mt. Carmel House in D.C. She founded New Endeavors by Women, Housing Opportunities for Women and also a housing program for women organized by survivors of domestic violence.  From Maria Foscarinis, Law Center Founder:   Diane was a remarkable person, full of life, passion, energy and love. She was a fierce, fearless, and effective advocate for social justice. She was also beautiful, whip smart, and well-read.  When I founded the National Homelessness Law Center (then known as the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty), Diane was there with full-throated support. She was instrumental in the founding and early steps of the organization, serving as the very first board chair. In the mid-1990s, Diane left DC to move back to Chicago to be close to her family, especially as her mother, whom she was very close to, got older. There she headed the Illinois Hunger Coalition, advocating state-wide for programs and policies to fight hunger. As an important state leader, she was part of a national network of anti-hunger activists, flown into DC by national organizations to strategize and advocate at the federal level. Diane had an impact on thousands upon thousands of vulnerable people—from her direct service work, to her statewide advocacy, to her federal policy work. She made an indelible mark on the National Homelessness Law Center. She was a deeply committed and loyal friend, and I will always miss her and hold her in my heart.