ODC Dance Honors Nancy Pelosi with Healthy Dancers Program

The San Francisco dance company renames its health initiatives after the longtime Congresswoman.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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ODC/Dance, one of the Bay Area's most renowned performing arts organizations, has renamed its health initiatives the Nancy Pelosi Healthy Dancers Program in honor of the longtime San Francisco politician's final year in Congress. The decision was made in recognition of Pelosi's extraordinary advocacy for both the arts and healthcare.

Why it matters

ODC's move to honor Pelosi highlights her longstanding support for the arts and cultural institutions in San Francisco. As a frequent supporter of Bay Area arts organizations, this gesture solidifies Pelosi's legacy of championing the arts and their ability to bring people together.

The details

ODC launched its first official health initiative in 2005 to offer dancers free diagnostic and educational services. Since then, its Healthy Dancers Clinic has grown to provide free consultations with a variety of volunteer medical professionals, as well as workshops and classes that reach more than 1,000 dancers of all ages. The company is now renaming these extensive health offerings the Nancy Pelosi Healthy Dancers Program.

  • ODC announced the honor at its gala on Friday, March 6, 2026.
  • The announcement came just two days ahead of International Women's Day.

The players

ODC/Dance

One of the Bay Area's most renowned performing arts organizations, founded in 1971.

Nancy Pelosi

The former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and longtime Congresswoman from San Francisco.

Brenda Way

The founder and Artistic Director of ODC/Dance.

Sean Dowdall

The Chair of the ODC Board of Directors.

Dr. Recinos Abairm

The director of the array of health initiatives at ODC.

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What they’re saying

“In appreciation of your tireless work to advance healthcare, and the spirit of compassion and decency in this country, we would like to honor you by naming ODC's extensive health initiatives the Nancy Pelosi Healthy Dancers Program.”

— Brenda Way, Founder and Artistic Director, ODC/Dance

“ODC's vast array of health offerings, now known as the Nancy Pelosi Healthy Dancers Program at ODC, gives witness to a powerful truth: dance is medicine.”

— Dr. Recinos Abairm, Director of Health Initiatives, ODC

“One of my favorite sayings is, 'You can never dance too much!'”

— Nancy Pelosi

What’s next

The Nancy Pelosi Healthy Dancers Program at ODC will continue to provide free consultations, workshops, and classes for dancers of all ages in the San Francisco community.

The takeaway

ODC's decision to honor Nancy Pelosi by renaming its health initiatives after the longtime Congresswoman underscores her enduring legacy of supporting the arts and championing healthcare access - two pillars of ODC's mission. This gesture solidifies Pelosi's place as a champion of the San Francisco arts community.