The night before President Roosevelt was elected for a historic 3rd term, another miracle was happening in Chicago. The birth of Francis Roosevelt Belenger. Yes, he was named in honor of the popular president, and he too would grow up to be bold and determined. As a child, he heard stories about his father—a man of modest means—raising money to prevent people from freezing to death in the winter. It gave young Francis the notion that each of us has the power to make a difference. If we choose it.

Francis was gifted at math… and rabble-rousing. While studying thermodynamics at the University of Illinois, he joined Students for a Democratic Society—a national student movement fighting racial inequality, poverty, and censorship. Now Francis doesn’t consider himself a provocateur. He just wishes people paid more attention to the injustices around them. “Willful ignorance” he says, “is just something I really can’t stand.”

With an air of authority that comes from a career in engineering, Francis declares “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that the market solution for housing isn’t working.” He quotes ancient philosophers, the constitution, and economic theory to make his case. Perhaps his best argument is his own lived experience.

Years ago, an unscrupulous landlord tried to steal money from Francis and other older tenants. Francis taught the tenants how to fight back. The landlord responded by raising the rent by $1,000. Luckily, the wait list had opened for Lyons Gardens—an affordable housing complex for older residents. Francis helped his best friend join it too. Every Friday, he’d visit the office to check on their status. They both got in.

But 81-year-old Francis doesn’t let his guard down. As he adjusts the hat that holds down his luxurious alabaster hair, he reminds anyone who will listen:

“We all have rights. It’s not difficult to fight for them.”