Northwest Women’s Hall of Fame

1999-2012 Honor Roll

At the 2012 YWCA Northwest Women’s Hall of Fame dinner:
Left to Right:Teresa Loe (great niece of Legacy Awardee the late Olga Hawkins), Dorothy Dale, Bertha Reta and Loree Larson (daughter of honoree the late Silversong Belcourt).

Continuing the Legacy of Leadership

Between its founding in 1999 and it’s 14th celebration in 2012, the Northwest Women’s Hall of Fame honored 53 contemporary women for outstanding community contributions in a wide variety of fields.

1999

Miriam Barnett Director, Allied Arts

Anne Brown Founder, Whatcom Center for Early Learning

Juanita Jefferson Native American social services

2000

Bess Christman Church and community volunteer

Lynda Goodrich Athletic Director, Western Washington University

The late Violet Hillaire Lummi Aquaculture Project

Shirley Osterhaus Co-founder, Whatcom Human Rights Task Force

2001

Barbara Jiminez Founder, Mother Baby Center

Sherry Jubilo Co-founder, Womencare Shelter and Food Co-op

Noriko Lao Local and international volunteer

The late Catharine “Kitty” Stimpson Civic leader and leadership mentor

2002

The late Jo Ann Choat Co-founder, Bellingham Food Bank

Fran James Nationally recognized Native American artist

Ellen Kester Co-founder/director, Sudden Valley Barn Theater

Barbara Osen Director, Tri-county Arthritis Foundation

2003

The late Bonnie Bergan Advocate for the developmentally disabled

Anne Hildebrand Co-founder, Mt. Baker Youth Symphony

Claire VanderGriend (“vg”) Thomas (deceased 2008) Lynden’s “Mother of Music” and theater

2004

Lois Garlick Environmental activist/educator

Sue Sharpe Motivator of community collaboration

Josselyn Winslow Co-founder, Alzheimer’s Society

2005

Pat Fabiano Promoter of healthy campus communities

Joanne Gardner Co-founder, Laurendeau (cancer care) Foundation

Wendy Scherrer Director, Northwest Salmon Enhancement Association

Marty Snyder Community Development Director, Opportunity Council

2006

Noémi Ban Holocaust survivor and educator

Jody Guenser & Pam Sinnett Founders, The Samish School

Karen Morse President, Western Washington University

The late Catherine Tally Lummi Nation leader

2007

Rosalinda Guillen Advocate for immigrants and farm workers

Chris Paul Founder, Whatcom County Youth Fair

Phyllis Self Campaigner for support of the arts

Peggy Zoro Leader in health and education

2008

Flip Breskin Musician and community organizer

The Late Catherine May Promoter of senior citizen services locally and nationally

Amory Peck Nationally recognized “extraordinary library advocate”

Barbara Rofkar Chair, Whatcom Human Rights Task Force

State Senator Harriet Spanel Environmental and legislative leader

2009

Elsie Heinrick Environmental protection/women’s empowerment

Carol Jo (“Coco”) Lomas Disaster responder/Red Cross trainer

The late Kay Moquin Supporter of the arts and cancer patients

JoAnn Roe Hubbard Sister Cities/Assistance League co-founder

Orphalee Smith Nonprofit financial adviser

2010

Rev. Dr. Linda Allen Singer/songwriter, Threshold Choir founder

Dr. Patricia McKeown Bellingham Technical College VP of Instruction

Kathie Wilson Pre-school educator, environmentalist

2011

Alma Alexander Author of young adult fiction

Julee Johnson Whatcom Center for Early Learning

Carole MacDonald Mt. Baker Foothills civic leader

2012

The Late Silversong Belcourt Honor Day Founder

Dorothy Dale Co-Founder Peace & Justice Center

Bertha Reta Ferndale businesswoman/immigrant mentor

Legacy Award

Since 2002, the YWCA NW Hall has honored 11 women from our region’s early history for exceptional, enduring achievement.

2002

Frances Larrabee (1867-1941) Civic and cultural leader, philanthropist

2003

Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Founders of St. Joseph’s Hospital in 1891

2004

Ella Rhodes Higginson (1861-1940) State Poet Laureate, suffrage leader

2005

Women of the Aftermath Club (1895-2003) Founders/nurturers of a major literary and civic organization

2006

Helen Loggie (1895-1976) Internationally acclaimed artist of Northwest nature

2007

Mabel Zoe Wilson (1878-1964) First WWU librarian/rural library expansion leader

2008

Ida Agnes Baker (1856-1921) Suffragette and early environmentalist

2009

Phoebe Judson (1821-1936) Lynden pioneer, writer, community leader