TheAlaska Women,s Hall of Fame is supported by donations. We encourage you to assi t us withthe co t of the production and maintenance of the web site, outreach effortsto solicit nominations and the induction ceremony. We are grateful for the contributions of the followingindividuals, businesses and organizations. AlaskaWoIDen's Hall of Fame Contributors2013 Audrey Aanes Niki Burrow Anthony Nakazawa Talking Circle Media for Political Carolyn Covington Marie Na h Geran Tarr** Action Barbara Dubovick Helen Nienhueser Francine Taylor Alaska Women's Network Lanie Fleischer Susan Olsen** Niel Thomas Real Estate Eleanor Andrews Bonnie Jack ** Judy Owens-Manley** Gail We t** ** Linda Janidio Jean Paal Mary Whitmore** Jo Antonson** Dorothy Jones Helen Peters YWCA MaryKay Arthaud Pamela Kendrick** Linda Phillips Zonta Club of William Beltz Margaret Langdon Jacqueline Robinson Anchorage Gretchen Beltz Steve Levi Irene Rowan And anonymous cash donations John Blaine Yvonne Lindblom Colleen Rutledge

Judy Brady** Kathleen McCoy** Tracy Speier** **Steering Committee Member Bovey Trophies Hilary Morgan** ** Gregory Moulton Maria Tagliavento

THE MISSION of the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame is to honor, in perpetuity, women whose contributions have influenced the direction of Alaska in their community or the state in any field, including, but not limited to the arts, athletics, business, community service, conservation, education, government, health, the humanities, Native affairs, philanthropy, politics, theology and science, among others.

TheAlaska Women's Hall of Fame is a collaborative project of the Zonta Club of Anchorage, the Alaska Women's Network, YWCA Anchorage, the Alaska Women for Political Action, the Anchorage Women's Commission, the University of Alaska Anchorage and a large number of interested Alaska women. Together, they have created a place to remember and embrace the strong Alaska women who came before us and walk beside us today.

2015 REQUEST FOR NOMINATIONS People from across the state and the country are invited to nominate a woman to be considered for the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame by going the website at: www.alaskawomenshalloffame.org Please click on the "Nominate a Woman'' tab, read the criteria and instructions, then go to "Click here for the 2015 Nomination Form'', answer the questions about your candidate and submit the nomination electronically. Nominations for 2015 must be submitted by Nov. 1, 2014. Nominees may be living or deceased and must have lived in Alaska at some point in her life. If a nominee is living> she must be at least 65 years of age as of Nov. 1, 2014.

2 Alaska Women's Hall of Fame Eleanor Andrews Jane Ruth Angvik BeverlyD. Dunham 1944- 1948- 1932- Achievement in: Achievement in: Achievement in: Civic Entrepreneurship Community Development & Journalism, Community Activist Collaboration Eleanor Andrews has been building the human ca­ Beverly Dunham is a pioneer in journalism, de­ pacity of Alaska fornearly five decades. She has flour­ Jane Angvik has lived in Alaska for 40 years, bringing scribed as being ahead of her time and a strong role ished in careers in both the private and public sectors, people together to create better, more open and inclusive model to many women and young girls growing up but is most widely known as a "civic entrepreneur" communities. in Alaska. - a person who inspires institutions, businesses and She learned that when peoples' values are solicited and In 1966 Dunham founded the "Seward Phoenix individuals to invest in their community while they heard, government decision-making is enhanced and Log" and became a small town newspaper editor and excel in their work. trust is possible. She believes when people are empowered publisher. Unusual for the times, she wrote about all Andrews led others to understand that quality to participate, they take personal responsibility to create the news and also dealt with the financial side that schools, affordable housing, accessible economic op­ community. When communities become "we" instead of goes into being the publisher of a small-town newspa­ portunities and safe neighborhoods are good busi­ "them and us," society is strengthened. per. At the time, women in newspapers wrote about ness and lead to a just and fair city and state. She has Angvik was raised with foursiblings by a conservative "women's" topics, such as community events, school given of her own time, money and talents fordecades, Norwegian, Republican father and a liberal Irish, Demo­ boards, cooking, fashiontrends, gardening and other but has also inspired and cajoled an army of others to cratic mother. Political discourse was learned at the fam­ local functions. Dunham set a path for more women participate in advancing our communities. ily dinner table. She grew up hearing an issue respectfully to report on the news and be involved with the busi­ Professionally, Andrews owned a successful man­ debated fromat least two points of view each night. ness side of publishing. agement company for 20 years and employed thou­ Her parents told her that, with hard work and educa­ Her newspaper gave high school students an op­ sands of people. She guided human resource public tion, she and her siblings could accomplish whatever portunity to do school and sports reporting for pub­ policy for the state as the Commissioner of Adminis­ they dreamed of. Giving back to the community was a lication. The Seward Phoenix Log has won state and tration and forAnchorage as the Director of Human practice she observed regularly in her mother. Her father national writing awards, including the School Bell Resources forthe Municipality. advised her to be verbally persuasive and not emotional Award forschool reporting. The newspaper played an Andrews has lived in Alaska since 1965, arriving when expressing a point of view, a lesson she took to heart. important role in keeping the community involved in in Fairbanks as a young college student from Los Angvik came to Alaska in the early 1970s and at age 26, local, regional and statewide affairsunder Dunham's Angeles. She worked as a counselor at McLaughlin was elected to serve on the Anchorage Charter Commis­ leadership during her editor/publisher tenure. Youth Center and as an employee representative for sion, unifyingthe city and borough into the Municipality Dunham is known as a woman of strong spirit and the Alaska Public Employees Association and the In­ of Anchorage. vitality. She is a "doer" who is not "too rigid and stuck ternational Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. These Angvik has worked forstate and local government, Na­ in the past." There are many examples of this, but experiences assisted her when she was appointed the tive organizations, nonprofit organizations and consult­ probably one of the more notable can be foundin Ken Director of Human Resources for the Municipality of ing firms. She has assisted communities across Alaska in Burns' internationally acclaimed "America's Best Se­ Anchorage. planning their infrastructure and long-range economic cret - America's National Parks" interview in Episode In 1982 Andrews accepted an appointment to work strategies. She is a skilled communicator and strategist 6 on the Kenai Fjords and the contentious years of the for the State of Alaska as the Deputy and then Com­ who brings people together to solve problems. Angvik Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. Al­ missioner of the Alaska Department of Administra­ was elected to the Anchorage Municipal Assembly in 1979 though she first opposed the park, her views and that tion. Advocacy for fairnessin access to employment, and served six years, the first woman elected Chair of the of the local City Council changed when tourism in a living wage and safe working conditions have been Assembly. In 1986, Angvik was a candidate for Lieuten­ the national park boosted the town's economy. principles that have guided Andrews throughout her ant Governor in Alaska's Democratic primary. Although Her impressive public service record spans more career. an Anchorage resident, she was well known politically in than six decades. She's held elected office on the When Andrews completed her public service, she rural Alaska. Seward School Board and Seward City Council, even developed the Andrews Group, a successful Alaska Angvik was recruited as the Deputy and then the Com­ acting as mayor for a time. She's been appointed and management services company, which was engaged missioner of the Department of Commerce and Econom­ served with distinction on many committees, com­ in U.S. government service contracting across the ic Development. Under the Knowles administration, she missions and volunteer efforts, from planning to United States. was appointed the Director of the Division of Land for the tourism to corrections to historical preservation. Her Andrews never forgot the stories about the pain of Department of Natural Resources. community advocacy has had significant influence in discrimination her parents experienced growing up Active in the Alaska Women's Political Caucus, she has Seward for a very long time. in the south in the 1930s. When she was a girl her fa­ trained hundreds of women candidates in fundraising Dunham was named the 2005 Person of the Year by ther told her she could accomplish whatever she could and managing political campaigns. She also served on the the Seward Chamber of Commerce and was named imagine. boards of the Girl Scouts of Alaska, STAR and AWAIC. one of First Lady Nancy Murkowski's Persons of the In junior high, she organized a student boycott of Angvik is joyfully married to Vic Fischer, who shares Year. poor cafeteria food until the quality measured up her enthusiasm for social and economic justice, public af­ Today Dunham continues to do a little writing; to other public schools in the district. The principal fairs and entertaining friends and family. Together they works on historic preservation projects; is involved in threatened to suspend her for being a "militant." The raised their daughter, Ruth, and share laughter with their women's and children's issues; does some traveling; injustice of being reprimanded by an authority figure grandchildren. and enjoys being with her family, grandkids and her for standing up forher rights has remained a life les­ Jane knows what Alaska is made of and how everything 19 great-grandkids. son. She has consistently raised her voice in opposi­ got to be the way it is. She can break it down and tie it to­ Read more about Beverly Dunham's accomplish­ tion to injustice her entire life. gether in a way that anyone can understand public policy ments and honors at the Alaska Women's Hall of Read more about Eleanor Andrews' accomplish­ and diverse cultures. Fame website. ments and honors at the Alaska Women's Hall of Read more about Jane Angvik's accomplishments and Fame website. honors at the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame website.

Alaska Women's Hall of Fame 3 Mary Jane (Evans) Fate V. Kay Lahdepera 1933 1915 - 2013 1936- Achievement in: Achievement in: Achievement in: Leadership Indigenous Rights Public Health Nursing

Mary Jane (Evans) Fate, a Koyukon Athabascan Katie John started life in 1915 in a traditional Kay Lahdenpera is a legend in nursing in Alaska born in Rampart, labored tirelessly to improve all fish camp, and was raised in the traditional way. and has touched thousands of women's lives through­ aspects of Alaska Native people's lives. As an Alaska Describing how she learned to live off the land out her 45-year career in public health. Born in Ju­ Native Claims Settlement Act lobbyist, she worked from her mother and grandmother, she said: "We neau, Alaska in 1936 she is a third generation Alaskan. to convince the White House and Congress of the had no pencil, no paper. We don't know how to Lahdenpera earned her nursing degree from the fairness and justice in conveying 40 million acres read. We used our head. Everything my mother University of Washington in 1961. After graduating and $1 billion to Alaska Native peoples through told me, my grandmother told me, it's in my head." she worked in New York at Bellevue Hospital and was the passage of the Native claims act in 1971. She first learned to speak English at age 14 when the nurse for 100 neglected children at St. Barnabas Fate was recognized for her leadership abilities she worked in the Nabesna Mine. She married House. by becoming the first woman co-chair of the Alas­ Mentasta traditional chief Fred John, Sr. at age 16 In 1965 Lahdenpera returned to Anchorage and ka Federation of Natives in 1988-89. She served on and together they raised 14 children and six foster was hired by the Greater Anchorage Area Borough her Alaska Native village corporation board, the children, living a subsistence lifestyle. Health Department as a public health nurse. In 1967 Rampart Village Corporation (Baan O Yeel Kon), Katie John is best known for demanding, and she became manager for the Region X, Title X Family since its inception in 1972 until recently and was winning subsistence rights for Alaska's Native Planning Clinic. Lahdenpera completed her Master's its president formany years. She is also a founding peoples. Her long life, spanning 97 years, carried in Public Health in 1985. member and past president of the Fairbanks Native her from a traditional Native village life to the During her 35 years at the Health Department, La­ Association. modern western lifestyle, from travel by foot to hdenpera helped implement the Region X, Title X The Alaska Natives Commission was created by travel by plane, from using dogs to carry loads to Women's Health program and establishing the clinic Congress in 1990 at the urging of many Alaska Na­ riding in cars and from being educated only in as a training program for the first women's health tive groups. The first meeting was held in 1992 and traditional ways and in traditional knowledge, nurse practitioners (NPs) in Alaska. As a result, NPs within months Fate and Perry Eaton were named to being awarded an honorary doctorate of laws were, for the first time,able to perform colposcopies co-chairs. from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2011. and prescribe medication within their scope of prac­ Appointed at the end of 2001 by President George Throughout these amazing changes during her tice. The clinic is a training ground for health care H.W. Bush, Fate served as the only indigenous lifetime, subsistence remained her core value. In professionals, including medical students. Local phy­ member on the U.S. Arctic Research Commission. 1984, John and Doris Charles requested the Alas­ sicians saw the value of NPs and began·to hire them. In 2003, President Bush appointed her to the U.S. ka State Board of Fisheries, which 20 years earlier Lahdenpera has presented at numerous local, na­ Census Advisory Committee on American Indian had closed subsistence fishing, to again permit tional and international conferences ultimately el­ and Alaska Native Populations to expand the com­ the former residents of the now-abandoned Na­ evating NPs to become a vital and a core part of the mittee's awareness of Alaska issues. tive village of Baltzulneta to subsistence fish. The U.S. and international health care systems. In the Fate helped found the "Tundra Times" and the Board's rejection of that request set the stage for 1980s, Lahdenpera's team presented a poster presen­ Institute of Alaska Native Arts. In 2012 Fate was the long-running, complex and convoluted "Ka­ tation at both the Circumpolar Health Summit and honored by her Native regional corporation, Doy­ tie John case." Her willingness to speak "truth to the Alaska Public Health Summit. This presentation on, with their most prestigious award, Citizen of power" forced the federal government to live up received special interest from Canadian medical doc­ the Year: "forher leadership, strong commitment, to its responsibilities, imposed by Alaska National tors to use NPs in rural communities throughout competence and sensitivity in the educational and Interest Lands Conservation Act, to preserve and Canada. Lahdenpera's success continued on the inter­ cultural survival of Alaska Natives." At the award protect the subsistence rights of Alaska Natives national level in 1993 when she joined the Eisenhower ceremony said: "Fate was one on federal lands and waters. Ambassador Program that traveled to China. In 1997 of the early Alaska Native women leaders, and her One pivotal event in this long-running legal Lahdenpera and her team made a Poster Presentation obvious outer beauty never affected the woman's battle occurred when Gov. Tony Knowles traveled at the XV FIGO World Congress of Gynecology & inner beauty." to meet John in person at her fish camp at Baltzul­ Obstetrics, Copenhagen, Denmark. Thispresentation Her achievements do not stop at serving only her neta before making a decision as to whether the was the only presentation done by a nurse practitioner people. Fate was among four prominent Ameri­ State should appeal a decision considered adverse. and a public health nurse manager at the World Con­ cans chosen to receive Cancer Awareness awards The governor commented subsequently on why, gress for Medical Doctors. in 1998. She served as director on the Alaska Air­ based on that visit, he decided the state should not Lahdenpera has volunteered on numerous profes­ lines board for 25 years, the first 23 years as the appeal: "I learned more that day than is written sional boards throughout Alaska and has received only woman to do so, and in 1981 she was the first in all the boxes of legal briefs in this long-lasting many awards for her accomplishments including: a woman and Alaska Native appointed to the Alaska court battle. I understand the strength, core and first recipient of the Alaska March of Dimes Nurse Judicial Council. She was a Regent for the Univer­ values that subsistence gives to Katie John's fam­ of the Year Award for "Legends of Nursing" (2009), sity of Alaska from 1993 through 2001. ily, and to the thousands of similar families ... ! first American Nurses Association Excellence in married Dr. Hugh "Bud" Fate and know-we all know-that what Katie John does is Nursing Award (1993); National Family Planning & together they have raised three daughters and her not wrong. It is right-right for her, right for the Reproductive Health Association, Inc. (Outstanding cousin and the couple now has a dozen grandchil­ village." Local Service Award (1997); BP and YWCA Women dren. Read more about Katie Joh n's accomplish­ of Achievement Award (1997); and Alaska Nurses As­ Read more about Mary Jane (Evans) Fate's ac­ ments and honors at the Alaska Women's Hall of sociation "Hall of Fame" Award (2009). complishments and honors at the Alaska Women's Fame website. Read more about V. Kay Lahdenpera's accom­ Hall of Fame website plishments and honors at the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame website.

4 Alaska Women's Hall of Fame Janie Leask Kay Linton Jane Vallett 1948- 1933 - 2003 Sutherland Niebergall Achievement in: Achievement in: Organizing, 1931 - Community Building Leadership and Volunteering Achievement in:

Janie Leask is a bridge between communities. Her Mrs. Jack (Kay) Linton, as she preferred to be iden­ Advocacy for Rural Education achievements include leading complex organizations, tified, was a dynamo, a volunteer extraordinaire, con­ creating opportunities for diverse communities to summate organizer and inveterate volunteer and, to Jane Vallett Sutherland was born and raised in Cali­ engage in meaningful conversation and mentoring quote former Mayor Tom Fink, "a real take-charge fornia and after graduating from college in 1953, mar­ young people. person." ried. She and her husband had two children beforehis Raised by a Haida/Tsimshian fatherand Irish/Ger­ Anchorage Daily News columnist Mike Doogan death in 1960. man mother in Metlakatla and Anchorage, Leask ini­ wrote, "She was an organizer, and if you were in the By 1965 she earned her Master's in Educational Su­ tiated her 15-year career with the Alaska Federation vicinity, you got organized." Gov. Tony Knowles is pervision at the University of Californiaand accepted a of Natives in 1974. She was selected and served as the quoted as saying: "To know Kay was to work forKay." summer job in Alaska to lead one of two teams of Head President/CEO of AFN from 1982-1989. Born in Newcastle, Wyo., Feb. 26, 1933, Linton was Start educators. These were tumultuous years for the Alaska Native the oldest of five children, the granddaughter and Her team traveled from Ketchikan and Yakutat in community as they built organizations to implement great-granddaughter of Wyoming homesteaders. Southeast to the Yukon-Kuskokwim delta region. Their the Alaska Native Land Claims Settlement Act, par­ Linton has said her obsession to do forothers stems goal was to prepare for hiring trained early childhood ticipated in drafting the federal land management from pre-birth. After her mother gave birth to her teachers to carry on the program for young children policies of Alaska in ANILCA, and fought for state early, she was wrapped in a towel and set on the oven during the winter. The national Office of Economic laws governing access to subsistence resources forru­ door while the doctors worked to save her mother's Opportunity sponsored and paid forthe program, and ral residents. life. She has tried to pay it forwardever since. contracted with the State forits operation. Under Leask's leadership, and in a largely male­ She received her early education in a one-room While in Alaska that summer, Niebergall was inter­ dominated environment, AFN began to formally schoolhouse, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in viewed and, afterreturning home to California,was in­ listen to young people and engage in dialogue with education from Black Hill State University in 1955 vited to accept a position with the State of Alaska. The many diverse communities of interest, while continu­ and took classes toward her master's degree at the familyreturned on the new Alaska ferryfrom Canada ing legislative effortsin Juneau and Washington, DC. University of Wyoming, to Alaska, arriving in December of 1965. After the passing of Wally Leask, her father, Janie Linton married Jack M. Linton on Aug. 26, 1958, in Niebergall went to work the first week of January Leask and her son were formallyadopted into the Ea­ Wyoming. Two years later she drove a red and white 1966. Her task was to negotiate with the Department gle Clan of the Tsimshian Tribe, where she was given '58 Thunderbird up the Alaska Highway with her in­ of Education to place new para-professional Native her Tsimshian name of "Gyetm Wilgoosk" meaning fant daughter and her IS-year-old brother to join her people, the early childhood teachers-to-be, into the "person of wisdom." husband. Jack Linton, who was working in the real Department of Education and to internalize the pro­ AfterAFN Leask turned her professional attention estate loan department of First National Bank. gram. to the private sector for 15 years and served as the She was far away from her family and "felt stifled In Alaska there were very few services for children Vice President of Community Development at the and unhappy, but her marriage was strong," she told in the Bush before they went to school. Children had National Bank of Alaska as well as the Manager of Linda Billington in an interview in 1991. She decided to learn to speak and read English before they were Community Relations for Alyeska Pipeline Service to "find a need and fill it" which became her motto. passed out of the first grade. Company. Thus her professional career as a volunteer organizing, Much Bush education was prejudicial. When Head Janie's work on urban-rural issues earned her the chairing and championing causes and projects began. Start began, the average educational level of achieve­ Alaska Governor's Award, the Alaska Village Initia­ Especially proud of two of her biggest projects, Lin­ ment in the Yukon-Kuskokwim area was low, brought tive's Chief's Knife Award, and Shareholder of the ton knew how to celebrate the anniversaries of Alas­ down because not all villages had schools. This all Year from Cook Inlet Region, Inc. In 2000 she was ka's 25 years of statehood in 1984, and Anchorage's 75 changed when the election took place and Walter named a YWCA Woman of Achievement. In 2006 she years in 1990. Hickel became governor in December 1966. was ATHENA Recipient and in 2001 she was identi­ As president of the Anchorage Women's Club she As a state worker, Niebergall was transferred to the fiedas one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Alaskans. negotiated a lease with the Municipality of Anchor­ Department of Education and then to the Department In 2006 Janie returned to work within the Native age to move, preserve and maintain Anchorage's first of Labor where she wrote grants and attended meet­ community as the President/CEO of First Alaskans schoolhouse, which was built in 1915. ings. Then Niebergall was transferred to Fairbanks and Institute, where for four years she focused on inter­ Linton was also known for her organization of worked with the Institute of Social and Economic Re­ generational leadership development and public pol­ time capsules. Some of the more memorable ones are search. icy issues. buried near the Anchorage Log Cabin; the Pioneer Aftertwo years with ISER, the familyreturned to Or­ Universally, Leask believes every person has a gift Schoolhouse, the Eisenhower Memorial as well as the egon and Niebergall continued her doctorate in educa­ to contribute. Her advice to young people is: "find General Federation of Women's Clubs home base in tion, Ready to write her dissertation, she returned to your gift; nurture it and use it. Network as much as Washington, D.C. Alaska. She spent time working at Alaska Methodist possible and recognize and act upon your obligation In 1997 Gov. Tony Knowles designated April 30 University, Anchorage Community College and the to give back to the community." of that year as Kay Linton Day for her indefatigable Kuskokwim Community College. She also lent her Janie is proud to be the mother of David Moore. She efforts. Linton and her husband raised two children, prodigious talents to assisting the Jesuit high school in is married to Don Reed and together they are making Dawn Linton-Warren and Richard Linton. St. Mary's. their new home in Homer. Read more about Kay Linton's accomplishments During one stay at the mission school, Niebergall Read more about Janie Leask's accomplishments and honors at the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame met and married Hal Niebergall. and honors at the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame website. Read more about Jane Niebergall's accomplish­ website. ments and honorsat the Alaska Womens Hall of Fame website.

Alaska Women-sHall of Fame 5 Verna E. Pratt Barbara Sweetland Francine Conat 1915 Smith LastufkaTaylor Achievement in: Educating 1936- 2013 1937 Alaskans About Native Plants & Flowers Achievement in: Preserving Achievement in: Alaska's Russian History & Culture Advocacy and Preservation of was raised in a big family on a small Alaska Arts, Culture and Politics farm in Massachusetts. The flowers in her mother's A dedicated Russian scholar, Barbara Sweetland large garden fascinated her, as did the wildflowers Smith earned international respect and awards forher With the culturally diverse blood of Mexican, Span­ she found while wandering through the surround­ research and publications on the Russian Orthodox ish and French aristocrats, Blackfoot, Sioux, and French ing fields. Part of her fascinationwas that the plants Church and Russian America. Canadians running in her veins, Francine LastufkaTay­ "stayed still" and could be closely observed. This early A graduate of California's Mills College, she did lor was a natural to lead Alaskans throughtheir infancy interest led Pratt to become a self-educated, ama­ graduate work at Columbia University's Russian Insti­ in recognizing and celebrating their unique cultures teur botanist who not only has shared her extensive tute. Here she developed her expertise in the history through scores of documentary films and videos. knowledge with generalists in Alaska, but is a recog­ of the Russian Orthodox Church and its far-reaching For her effortsover the years, Francine was a finalist for nized, internationally known expert in Alaska's na­ influence in shaping the history of Alaska. She moved the YWCA/BP Women of Achievement Award in 1996. tive plants, wildflowers and berries. to Anchorage in 1970. At the University of Alaska An­ In 1998 she was a finalist for the National Federation of Shy as a child, Pratt became outgoing as a teacher, chorage, Smith taught Russian history and brought to Press Women's Communicator of Achievement Award and is eager to share what she knows. Her expertise light many early documents published by the Russian and earned the Alaska Press Women's Lifetime Achieve­ has been achieved through self study and a lifetime of Orthodox Church, explorers, and adventurers. ment Award the same year. dedication to Alaska's native plants, flowers and ber­ Smith shared her extensive knowledge of Russian One of her many successes was creating the Alaska ries. historical resources through publishing many books Native Arts Festival 1966-1972, which she served as a She arrived in Alaska in 1966 and immediately be­ on the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church in founding director. Perhaps her greatest feat, however, is gan to teach herself about the local flora. Anxious to the development of Russian America. Several of her the founding of Alaska Moving Image Preservation As­ learn about and identify Alaska's native plants, Pratt books became widely acclaimed earning her interna­ sociation, AMIPA, in 1991. found it exceedingly difficult to learn from the ref­ tional distinction as a scholar of Russian history in Collections of Alaska'smotion picture films, video and erence materials available. The only materials avail­ Alaska. audio recordings were held by libraries, museums, ar­ able were big, heavy scientificbooks with inadequate Her expertise and dedication helped make possible chives, producers and the general public - none of which black-and-white drawings difficult to use in the field. the restoration and preservation of rare icons and his­ had the technical resources to preserve and provide access Pratt and her husband, Frank, decided to write and toric Russian Orthodox churches in the Aleutian and to them. Taylor led the charge to preserve these materials publish a guidebook for the Alaska generalist inter­ Pribilof islands damaged during World War II. Among and to make them available to the public through the cre­ ested in learning about native plants. Pratt made a other things, Smith was instrumental in securing ma­ ation of AMIPA. Through public and private donations creative and key decision: to organize the plants by jor fundingto conserve, catalog and restore icons of the the collection and technical capacities of the organization color; not scientific classification. This decision pro­ Holy Ascension Church in Unalaska, perhaps the larg­ quickly grew, and in 1997 AMIPA transitioned from an vided a new, easy way for a novice to learn about est single collection of pre-20th century art in Alaska. all-volunteer organization to one having a paid curatorial, plants, their similarities, differences and, above all, to Smith also curated four major exhibitions for the technical and administrative staff. appreciate their beauty. Anchorage Museum of History and Art: "Russian In September 2004, AMIPA entered into a preservation Pratt's job was to write the text and choose the pho­ America: the Forgotten Frontier," "Heaven on Earth: partnership with the UAA/APU Consortium Library and tographs. Frank's job was to research, learn and use Orthodox Treasures of Siberia and ," during the spring of 2005 installed its then 17,000-item an appropriate software program to make the book and "Science Under Sail: Russia's Great Voyages to collection, dating fromthe 1920s, into modern film and "camera ready" foroverseas printing. Aftermuch hard America 1728-1867." These popular, world-class exhib­ magnetic media vaults adjacent to the office space. Today, work, the "Field Guide to Alaskan Wildflowers Com­ its, some of which traveled the country, portrayed how important events in Alaska's history, such as statehood, monly Seen Along Highways and Byways" was pub­ the Russian presence has shaped Alaska's history and the 1964 earthquake, pipeline construction, the Alaska lished in 1989. This was followed in 1991 by "Wild­ cultures. Native Claims Settlement Act are preserved and available flowers Along the Alaska Highway, Wildflowers of Smith has been honored for her many contribu­ to the public. Denali National Park" in 1993, "Alaska's Wild Berries tions. She has twice received the President's Award An accomplished pianist and singer, Taylor first used and Berry-Like Fruit" in 1995, and in 2003, "Travel fromthe Alaska Historical Society in 1988 and in 1996. her talents to help disabled children at the Alaska Crippled Notes for the Wildflower Enthusiast," for drawing The Alaska Historical Society renamed its Pathfinder Children's Association through music. The program she and field notes. Upon discovering that there were no Award forthe preparation of guides and other resource developed became such a success the Anchorage School suitable books on the market which introduced chil­ materials to assist researchers. It is now called the Bar­ District asked her to volunteer her program to include all dren to the plants of the forest and meadow, Pratt and bara Sweetland Smith Award. the city's elementary schools. Taylor also performedwith her husband wrote and published "Linnaea's World," Also findingtime forcommunity work, Smith served the Anchorage Community Chorus, the Anchorage Op­ a children's book, in 1996. as president of the Anchorage Fellowship in Serving era, the Alaska Festival of Music and the Alaska Chamber Of her many achievements, including the author­ Humanity (FISH) for28 years - working with the Food Singers. She served 15 years as a board member for the ship of six publications and multiple honors, Pratt is Bank of Alaska to provide foodpantries for those in Visual Arts Center and is an award-winning documen­ proudest of the factthat through her efforts she has need. She also served as a board member and President tary filmmaker. helped people to learn about Alaska's native plants, of Soroptimists International of Anchorage, a group A colleague and friend, Irene Rowan, a formerpreside nt wildflowers and berries. dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls of Klukwan, Inc. and now a director of Northrim Bank, Read more about Verna Pratt's accomplishments locally and around the world, and as a board member says Taylor "became a fearsome activist at a time when and honors at the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame of the national archives of the Episcopal Church. most women lacked the inclination or courage to make ,, website. Read more about Barbara Sweetland Smith's ac­ waves. complishments and honors at the Alaska Women's Read more about Francine Taylor'saccomplishments Hall of Fame website. and honors at the Alaska Women'sHall ofFame website.

6 Alaska Women's Hall of Fame (continued from ccwer.. ,) ADA WIEN TA DAISY SCHENCK ALICE BROWN Gertrude M. Wolfe ARLISS STURGUtEWSKI ARNE(BULKELEY)BELTZ 1933 - 2007 Achievement in: AUDREY AANES Health Care and Education LANCHE MCSMIT (HUNTSMAN)C LISA RUDD A life-long Alaskan, Gertrude Wolfe worked tire­ lessly for the betterment of the people of Hoonah CAROLYN FLOYD and forall Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people of Southeast Alaska. She was a certified village health CAROLYN JONES LYDIA BLACK aide, member of the Hoonah School Board, active MARGE MUt�EN with her local chapter and the statewide Alaska Na­ CLARE SWAN tive Sisterhood, and a member of the boards of lo­ MARIE(MATSUNO) NASH cal and regional Native health corporations. With each activity, Wolfe held top leadership positions. MARLENE JOHNSON Wolfe was instrumental in starting the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium in 1975, a vital, MARTHA M. RODERICK nonprofit tribal health organization of 18 commu­ MARVEL CROSSON nities serving Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people. The organization promotes healthy lifestyles, has DELLA KEATS MARY JOYCE a traditional foods program, and provides health services today. DORA SWEENEY Hoonah, 40 air miles west of Juneau, is only ac­ cessible by boat or plane. Most of the 750 residents DOROTHY AWES HAALAND MILDRED ROBINSON HERMANN rely heavily on subsistence hunting and fishing for DOROTHY M. (KNEE)JONES NATALYA SHELIKOF their livelihoods. More than half of the communi­ ty's population is Tlingit. The "village by the cliff" was founded in 1880. The first cannery opened in the town in 1912. In 1944 a firedestroyed much of the town. Wolfe came to the rebuilt community with her "NELLIE" CASHM husband Wilfred "Bill" Wolfe Sr. She started work­ ELLEN PANEO PATRICIA B. WOLF ing as a health aide in 1954, before there was an organized program, and when a program was initi­ PAULINE UTTER ated, Wolfe was one of the first health aide to be certified in the state. RIE MUNOZ Wolfe was born in Sitka as a member of the Coho Clan. When she retired after 34 years as a Certified ETHEL LUND PITKA) BLUMENST Health Aide Provider in Hoonah in 1988, a wing FRANCES HOWARD RUTH ELIN HALL OST of the Hoonah medical center was dedicated as the Trudy Wolfe Clinic. She continued her many civic S ANNE NEWELL activities in Hoonah, Sitka and Juneau. The Alaska Legislature passed a proclamation honoring her SADIE NEAKOK in 2007 and that same year she was inducted into the Sheldon Jackson Hall of Fame. A wife, mother GRETCHEN BERSCH SARAH AGNES JAMES of six of her own children and foster mother to a number of others, health care provider, midwife and community activist, Wolfe is a role model for SHARON RICHARDS many women. Marlene Johnson, colleague and long-time friend, SHIRLEY HOJ.LOWAY describes Wolfe as a hardworking, common-sense person, concluding: "Trudy had a commitment to SUSAN RUDDY young people, education and health. I don't know A (PERSE) NG how you can get much better than that." Johnson noted that on more than one occasion when there SUK "EMILY"(IVANOF.F.) was a community potluck Wolfe would bring eight dishes - hers, her husband's and one for each of IRGINIA "GI her six children. Read more about Gertrude Wolfe'saccomplish­ ments and honors at the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame website.

Alaska Women's Hall of Fame 7 HISTORY OF THE ALASKA WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME ,Theidea of creating the Alaska Women'sHall of Fame was initiated in 2008 when the Alaska Women's Network'sBoard of Di;ectors (AWN) discussed how it could use its web site to honor Alaska's women as part of the upcoming celebration of Alaska's fiftyyears of statehood. Two ideas were suggested: first, update the 1983 Profilesof Change, a publication by the Alaska. Commission on the Status 0f Women and, second, establish a way to profileand honor the Alaskan women who had been involved in shaping Alaska. Members of AWN solicited ideas and support fromother women's organizations. TheAnchorage YWCA offeredits support, and a meeting space. A brainstorming session was held there on August 15, 2008, which was attended by women fromthroughout the community. It was decided to work with the UAA Consortium Library .to digitize the Profilesof Change so ,people throughout the state could access the stories of the outstanding women described in the publication. Additionally,at that meeting it was learned that the Zonta·Club of Anchorage had been working on developing a web site to house a "virtual Alaska women's wall:' .thetwo groups decided to collaborate and join their efforts. From that meeting> an informalsteering committee was formed,composed of representatives of the AWN,Alaska Women's Political Caucus, Anchorage YWCA, UAA, Anchorage Commission on Women and the Zpnta Club of Anchorage as well as several women who were interested in the idea, but not affiliatedwith a particular organization. The steering committee developed the Alaska Women's Hallof Fame, solicited nominations from across the state, selected 50 women to induct on March 6, 2009 and launched the web site that hosts the biographies of the honorees. March was chosen as the annual date of the induction to coincide with Women'sHistory Month. TheZonta Club of Anchorage has accepted responsibility forthe creation and maintenance ofthe web site, www.alaskawomenshalloffame.org. Thedigitization of the Profiles?f Change was completed, with the assistance of volunteers, in February 2010. It is available through the AlaskaDigital Archives at http://vilda.alaska.edu/.

CLASS OF 2009 • Back L-R: Frances Howard Elmore, , Fran CLASS OF 2010 • BackL-R: Jo Scott, Peg Tileston, Helen Nienhueser, Shirley Ulmer, Arliss Sturgulewski, FrontL-R: , Wilda Marston, Holloway, Marlene Johnson FrontL-R: EthelLund, Marge Mullen, Georgianna Dana Fabe, Esther Wunnicke Lincoln,, Betsy Tower, Nora Dauenhauer

CLASS OF 2011 • BackL-R: Patricia Wolf, Caroline Wohlfarth,Lael Morgan, Joerene HouJ FrontL-R: Lanie Fleischer, Clare Swan, El�ine Abraham

Class of2012 • BackL-R: Irene Rowan, <;:arolyn Floyd, Audrey Aanes, Carolyn CLASS OF 2013 •. L-R: Judy Brady, Diddy Hitchins, Karen Hunt, Marie Nash, Jones, Sharon Richards FrontL-R: Wilda Hudson, Gretchen Bersch, Rosita Worl Anne Newell, Carol Covington, Jewel Jones

2015 REQUEST FOR NOMINATIONS www.alaskawo01ensha1loflame.org

Alaska Women'sHall of Fame 1063 West 20th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99503 • 907-279-4836 •[email protected]

8 Alaska Women's Hall of Fame