Michele ‘Mickie’ Ballotta was best known to the world as a passionate advocate and fundraiser who dedicated herself to human rights, essential healthcare services, breast cancer research, and children in need. During her tenure at Food & Friends, Mickie served as the organization’s first Development Director from 1991 to 1999, and later as Director of the affiliated Tour de Friends.
To those closest to her, Mickie is remembered for the tight-knit surrogate families she built wherever she went. “I know her probably first as my boss, right? But then she was my mentor, and a friend, and a sister, and a mother, and you know, a BFF. And ultimately all those things,” recalls former colleague Keri Schoenthaler, “The way she led our team, we were like a little family, it almost felt like she was like the mom.”
Her knack for people made her the right fit to lead development during the early years of Food & Friends, which was still finding its footing amid the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis. “She was very nurturing in her own way. She liked all the people all the crazy personalities and the many moving parts,” said Suzanne McMahon, who was hired into Food & Friends’ Development Department by Mickie in 1995. “She was a big personality – very colorful, quite a character.”
Mickie also had the instincts needed to help build a financial foundation for Food & Friends that extended beyond its roots in DC’s historic gay community. “I think she was very much a part of and felt very connected to the gay community and Food & Friends was so connected to that. She understood that, and she brought that into it. And she also understood that we needed to go beyond the gay community for our support, and she knew how to bridge that gap,” said Schoenthaler.
After almost a decade at Food & Friends, Mickie left and continued her career in fundraising, before returning to run Tour de Friends in 2002, leading and organizing the multi-state AIDS ride. Many of Mickie’s former staff returned with her to support the popular fundraiser. “Community was why Food & Friends was always such a dear spot for her, close to her heart,” explained Schoenthaler.
Growing up, Mickie lived with her Aunt Grace and Cousin Cookie in New Jersey, later attending high school in Suitland, MD, and college at Trinity University in Washington, D.C. After college, she worked as an American Sign Language interpreter at Gallaudet University and later at the Human Rights Campaign.
Outside of work, Mickie was passionate about her rescue dogs, including a line of Jack Russell terriers. She was always excited about decorating friends’ new spaces, “She had the office super decorated – it looked like somebody’s living room,” McMahon said. “When I was moving into a new apartment, she was like, ‘Let’s go, I’m taking you to IKEA. We’re going to get you all hooked up!’ She was HGTV before it existed.”
Mickie found peace spending summers at the beach, as Schoenthaler recalls, “She had on her desk a picture that she took like she was on the beach, facing the ocean. And you could see her toes, that she had a pedicure or something. And when I think of Mickie, I always think of that picture. That’s where she’d want to be.”
Above all, Mickie will be remembered for the love she poured into those around her, “I think she really valued her people. I just think of our team at Food & Friends – it was like a family to her. We were like her kids, and she felt responsible for us.”
Mickie passed away on June 24th at the age of 67 in Seaford, MD. A service honoring Mickie’s life will be held October 13th at Food & Friends.