DoAnn Geiger, 91, of Rockford is the founder of the local Special Olympics.

How you would fill out your social networking “status update”: DoAnn Geiger is: Great. I always look forward to being down here at Goodwill Industries.

AMY J. CORRENTI | ROCKFORDWOMAN.COM
DoAnne Geiger at Benson Stone Co. in Rockford.

Proudest achievement and why: Tara Blazer and I had a vision of having a running track at Illinois Growth Enterprises. It would be for Special Olympic athletes and workers on break at IGE, a nonprofit corporation that employs people with disabilities. (The quarter-mile track finally opened in August at 7200 Clinton Road, Loves Park. Following the wishes of Tara’s late husband, Cedric, it’s named after Herbert H. Hodges, Blazer’s Beloit College track coach and the first executive director of Growth Enterprises.) It’s beautiful. That’s the culmination of many, many years.

Best job and why: I was health education director at the YWCA for 25 years. I loved every minute of it. When my kids were young, they could hop the bus and come down and be with me.

What getting involved means to you: Giving time and energy.

Three words that describe you, or your best trait: Outgoing, ambitious, cheerful.

Words to live by: I like to make contact with people in need.

Biggest challenges, then and now: Finding time to do all the things I wanted to do. Getting around with my bum hip.

Current goal or wish: I really enjoy being helpful to my grandkids. Outside of family, I like to contribute to agencies.

What makes you smile? Someone stopping in to see me; or my dog, Sami, greeting me when I’ve been out.

What motivates you? My grandkids. I’m so fortunate that one group still lives here, and the group in Texas I e-mail almost every day.

Two things you do to relax: I exercise — I swim when I get the chance. In the evening, I knit.

Hours of sleep per night: Eight. But now that I’m not working, I love a good nap.

Young women should ... Find or select an interest outside the home. Serve on a board, do something good for somebody.

If you could only say one thing about life or yourself: It’s been a wonderful life.

AMY J. CORRENTI | ROCKFORDWOMAN.COM

About DoAnn Geiger
Age: 91

Born in: Sterling

City of residence: Rockford

Family: Oldest of two daughters. Father was sports editor for the Sterling Gazette for 40 years. Married Lloyd Geiger in 1940. Raised four sons: Jay, Gary, Chip and Doak. (Lloyd and Jay are now deceased.) Has 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren.

Education: Sterling Township High School. Majored in physical education at Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa.

Accomplishments: Brought the Special Olympics to the stateline area, starting with a handful of special-needs athletes. It now serves more than 1,000 annually. Helped start the YWCA Encore Plus Project, a swimming program for women recovering from breast cancer. Instrumental in establishing the Herbert H. Hodges running track for special-needs athletes.

Community involvement: Has been a volunteer for the YWCA, Encore, Illinois Growth Enterprises and Special Olympics. Served as a greeter at Rockford City Hall. Still serves on the board of Goodwill Industries.

Career highlights: Goodwill Industries just established the DoAnn Geiger Scholarship, which will be awarded annually to a student with disabilities. She’s often stopped by former students who thank her for teaching them to swim. She still attends the Special Olympics, where she is greeted and hugged by many of the participants.

Nominated by: Granddaughter Courtney Geiger, director of work-force development at Goodwill Abilities Center. She calls DoAnn “a wonderful, caring woman who has done so much for the Rockford community. She has constantly worked for the rights and dignity of those with physical and mental barriers. She not only ran Northwestern Illinois Special Olympics for many years, but founded our area’s games after seeing the first Special Olympics competition at Soldier Field in 1968 and being inspired to make a difference for those in Rockford. She has spent her life helping and teaching others. At 91, she continues to help others with her compassion, generosity and kindness. She is a great role model for our community and would be a great Rockford Woman of the Year.”

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