Dancing Through the Decades: Margie’s 40-Year Journey with N Street Village

Margie has been teaching dance classes at the Village for more than 40 years.

When Margie Delaney first walked through the doors of N Street Village in the early 1980s, it looked very different from today’s Village, which encompasses seven sites across Washington, D.C. At that time, the Village consisted of just a few townhouses. There were no dedicated program buildings and no formal dance studio. There was, however, a noteworthy mission: to ensure every single woman who came through the Village’s doors was met with dignity and compassion.

Driven by a desire to give back to women in her community, Margie first began by serving meals. But she soon saw another need—one that had less to do with providing food for the body, and more to do with nourishing the spirit with joy, expression, and healing. With a background in dance and a heart for service, Margie proposed a new offering: a dance class focused on movement, freedom, and connection.

“It’s not about the steps,” Margie said. “It’s about getting up and moving however you want to. I give a little direction, but really, it’s about giving everyone the freedom to express themselves.”

And so began a tradition that’s lasted over four decades. Margie’s classes have taken place in living rooms, church basements, and multipurpose spaces. She’s seen the Village transform from a small shelter operation to a multifaceted support system for women across DC—and she’s been part of that transformation every step of the way.

“They come in and just light up,” she said. “There’s one woman who just stands in the middle and sways—but she smiles. That’s enough. That’s joy.”

Her class always ends with something special: a guided meditation and quick stress-relief exercise to recenter and reenergize.

For Margie, volunteering isn’t just a way to serve others—it’s also deeply personal. She’s brought her children to serve alongside her, made lifelong connections with clients and staff, and seen the spirit of the Village ripple far beyond its walls. “I tell people this is my second family,” she said. “And I learn something every day I come here.”

Margie’s story reminds us that healing isn’t always loud or linear. Sometimes, it looks like a small dance class. Sometimes it’s a quiet sway in the middle of the room. And always, it’s rooted in dignity, joy, and community.