Nancy Foster is a philanthropist, community activist, mother, wife, and First Lady of Long Beach. In this interview, Mrs. Foster talks about her passion for Long Beach, her battle with depression and her husband, Mayor Bob Foster.
Q: How is life different for you and your family now that your husband is Mayor?
A: Wow, it’s so wonderful driving down Ocean Blvd. to attend an event rather than driving into Los Angeles! No more contending with freeway traffic!
Seriously, when Bob was running for mayor we always said that people would be getting two for one and it’s true. We are a team and I love being involved and meeting lots of different people and experience the work of so many non profits in Long Beach. I find it energizing!
More people want me to be a board member and join in with their cause. I do as much as I can and I really enjoy it!
Also when I am driving my eyes lock in on graffiti, a shopping cart left by a homeless person or an area of town where there is revitalization. There is a feeling of responsibility and also a sense of pride for our city.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your role as First Lady of Long Beach?
A: It took a while to get used to my new title. In fact I was given a name tag with my name, First Lady of Long Beach and it hangs in my closet to remind myself that people expect more from me and I am doing my best to live up to that expectation.
I feel blessed to be in this position. Any time a person is in a position of visibility it’s time to take action and make the most of it for others. This role is an awesome experience. I love going to events and meeting people. I find it energizing.
Being invited to have lunch with preschool children at Long Beach Day Nursery is also a great treat and that is one of the perks with my position! Also when someone contacts me for help, I usually get excited and get onboard!
Q: I know that you are involved with many charities, which do you actively support and why?
A: The Long Beach Cancer League is the first organization that I joined when we moved to Long Beach and this is my eleventh year with the LBCL.
I am also a board member for Child Net, ELLAS, BLAST, Operation Teddy Bear, The Steel Magnolias that supports the Stramski Center, a Trustee for The Ronald McDonald House that will be coming to Long Beach and also the International City Theatre.
Also the annual Santa Party with Santa at 14th St. Park is exciting. Last year 2,000 children had a special day in this disadvantaged area of town. With each year more people are enjoying taking part in this party!
All of these organizations support children but most important they help at risk children.
We live in a pretty area of Long Beach. When I am driving I take different routes and I do this to remind myself how others are living.
It bothers me to see kids idle on the streets during or after school, knowing that these kids are a target for trouble.
My reaction is to join organizations that help at risk children and programs that provide after school programs and mentoring!
Q: You were recently honored as a Mental Health Hero by the Mental Health Association for going public with your story about living and overcoming bipolar disorder. Why did you choose to share this with the public?
A: I am very comfortable talking about my spells of depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
There is a stigma associated with mental illness and if I speak openly about my problems hopefully it will be of help to others. Mental health problems can affect anyone.
I was diagnosed and went for counseling, which also helped with my recovery. I have had panic attacks which are very frightening and sharing I believe will help others.
People are not comfortable talking about problems that are related to mental illness, mental health.
It really bothers me that people will suffer in silence with depression and feel that if they go for help, it somehow makes them less of a person or it’s a sign of weakness. They also think they can handle it themselves. People feel they are expected to shake it off. This is not always the case and sometimes professional help is needed.
If depression or other mental illness goes untreated it can become more severe and harder to treat.
My spells of severe depression and anxiety really affected my quality of life. My life would have been totally different without medication. It helps to keep my mental health/my life in balance. I am also aware when I am having problems and need to focus. I am aware of my manic times also and I tell myself to Back Off!
I can’t help anyone if I am not well, so taking care of my mental health is key for me.
Q: Depression is something that many people struggle with everyday. Do you have any advice to those that are suffering from depression?
A: Yes, if a person experiences depression that affects their ability to cope and deal with everyday’s life stresses this should be of concern. If they are not able to leave their home or hold down a job it’s time to seek professional help.
Also depression and anxiety usually go hand in hand and this is extremely difficult to handle. People sometimes turn to drugs to rid the pain, this is not the way to treat depression and anxiety.
Talk to someone close to you about your depression, share it with a loved one for support.
Children also experience depression and parents need to be attentive if their child has an extreme change in their behavior or decline in their grades. Children, like adults think that this problem will go away. We need to help our children realize that it’s not a sign of weakness to talk about feeling down and listen to them.
Q: Do you ever talk to the Mayor about politics or policy? Do you ever give him advice?
A: Of course I give him advice, do I seem like someone who could keep it to myself?
I also respect the fact that our home is kind of a safe haven for Bob, so I don’t bombard him with details or problems of the city. If I see graffiti I take the photos and email it off to the proper person.
If I have a problem I call my city councilman, Gary Delong hopefully when he is not at home!
Q: What are your favorite Long Beach restaurants?
A: We enjoy George’s Greek Deli, Café La Salle but Tracht’s is our favorite!
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A: We have a Tuscan courtyard and I love gardening and enjoy checking on my plants, especially in the summer, when they are growing fast. This gives me great pleasure. I do all of my gardening and it is very satisfying.
I enjoy taking our cat Noah for a walk on a leash. Noah is from Noah’s Ark.
It’s fun to go to Bakersfield to watch our three grandchildren, Taylor, Bobby and Ryan.
I call it Boot Camp with Grandma Nancy!
I also enjoy interior design and remodeling our home was fun.
Getting together with our dear friends in Naples for dinner are precious times.