Danae Hendrickson,
Chief of Mission Advancement & Communications
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"My mother fled Laos as a refugee during the bombings, a fact that, in turn, led me to learn more about my father’s ancestors in Stuttgart and what they might have faced. As a Lao German American, I carry these histories in my body, and they are the reason I now work with Legacies of War, an organization dedicated to raising awareness of America’s role in Laos and to mobilizing communities to call on Congress to sustain funding for bomb clearance and survivor support."
My Story
Danae Hendrickson is the Chief of Mission Advancement and Communications at Legacies of War, specializing in storytelling for action. Previously, she worked in the specialty coffee business, giving her a deep understanding of the importance of safe land for agriculture and economic development. Danae’s personal connection to Legacies stems from her mother, a refugee from Laos, who passed away in 2013. After learning about the ongoing UXO crisis in Laos, Danae became inspired to support Legacies of War, joining the staff in 2021. Her work is motivated by all who are learning about their history and taking action to heal the wounds of war for their families and their motherland.
​When she's not combing through declassified documents, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and bird watching with her two boys. Danae serves on the board of the Whatcom Peace and Justice Center.
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More from Danae:
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From Laos to Gaza to Ukraine, we must confront the war beneath our feet
Growing up with America’s Longest War
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Henry Kissinger’s Cluster Bombs Are Still Killing People in Southeast Asia
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Child Victims of UXO Injuries Deserve Better
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Legacies of War - Unexploded Munitions in Southeast Asia
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The Japanese tech that could one day make Southeast Asia landmine-free
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Cambodian mine-clearing program reels after Trump's USAID funding suspension
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