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
2010
Catherine Montgomery (1867-1957) “Mother of the Pacific Crest Trail”
2011
Frances Cleveland Axtell (1866 – 1953) First woman Washington Legislator (1912)
2012
Olga Marie Hawkins (1885 – 1964) Lifelong Red Cross Volunteer