Emily L. Jones
Cecile ClarkeCecile Clarke was born January 21, 1885, in the Branscomb area of Mendocino County. She devoted the majority of her adult life to making history come alive. She taught history at Eureka High School for 35 years and always believed that Humboldt County's artifacts and treasures should be protected. To that end, she founded the Clark Memorial Museum in Eureka in 1960. Because of Cecile Clarke's dedication, thousands of people have been able to enjoy learning about Humboldt County history in a museum dedicated to the preservation of that history.
Emily L. Jones, woman of many firsts, known as Eureka's grand lady of the household, the highways, the skyways, City Hall, and the press, was the first and only woman mayor or Eureka. Emily was born in 1885 to pioneer physician Seth B. Foster and Abigail Hollowell Foster. She attended local schools. In 1901 she attended Mills College. She worked for the telegraph in San Francisco. In 1906 she lost her home to the earthquake. She later married a San Francisco policeman, Herman Jones. Upon his death she returned to Eureka.
She was mayor from 1929 to 1933. Her election marked a sweeping revolt against street paving policies and assessments which cost many residents their homes and properties. Her philosophy was: "A woman is a natural-born cleaner upper."
Emily was the first woman to drive a car in Humboldt County, and the first to fly in an airplane. A proof-reader for the Times Standard at night, she "worked until the paper went to bed", right up to 84 years of age.
1880-1928
Photographer Artist Businesswoman
Emma B. Freeman and her husband, Edwin, lost everything they had in the 1906 earthquake. On borrowed funds they moved to Eureka and set up a souvenir and art and photo supply shop. in an era when married women did not work outside of the home, Emma was rarity in that she put in twelve hours a day creating and selling souvenirs as well as operating a full service camera studio.
In 1913 Emma and Edwin got involved with the "Traveling Chautauquas", a commercial enterprise that offered education and religion with recreation. During this time Emma developed a commercially successful series of Indian photographs. Emma used European and Indian models with a mixture of Navajo, Hupa, and Klamath Indian props to create her "authentic" noble savage portraits. When the seven million dollar Milwaukee warship beached itself outside of Humboldt Bay, Emma, like others, was out there photographing. Unlike the others, Emma bypassed the local newspaper and sent her work to the San Francisco Chronicle. These photos gave her national recognition.
In 19191 Emma moved back to San Francisco in an attempt to move from the realm of commercial art to fine art. She died there in 1928 at the age of 48.
Helen Addison Everett came to Humboldt County with a master's degree in librarianship from the University of Berkeley. Between 1939 and 1967 she worked as an instructor and head librarian at Humboldt State College.
Webster defines retired as "secluded, solitary, withdrawn from active duty." Helen defined retired with many years of activity on the Humboldt Arts Council, the Humboldt Cultural Center, Friends of the Redwood Library, the League of Women Voters as well as serving on the Humboldt Grand Jury. She also spent six months in Peru working with the government there setting up a new library system. Helen spearheaded the founding of the "Author's Festival" providing local children with the opportunity to meet an interact with published writers.
Throughout her retirement, Helen steadfastly worked to promote the new library in Eureka's Cooper Gulch. For years Humboldt County and the city of Eureka were at odds over the funding of any new library facility. Helen's persistence and determination broke through the bureaucratic posturing and by the time of her death, the site was selected, drawings for a new building developed, and the fund drive started.
Helen Addison Everett's devotion to making the printed word available to all, has and will continue to impact Humboldt County. Helen died in 1986 at the age of 83.
A native of Eureka, Bonnie Neely was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1986, and currently serves as Chairman of the Board. In 1988, Neely was appointed by the governor to the California Coastal Commission. She also serves as vice chairman of the Redwood Regional Economic Development Commission and is a board member of the Area I Agency on Aging, North Coast Emergency Medial Services, the Eureka/Humboldt County Library Committee, the Perinatal Advisory Board, and the Humboldt Arts Council.
In addition to her role in government, Bonnie has built an outstanding reputation as a community leader. She is a major fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society, Heart Association and programs for seniors. In 1989, she received an Achievement Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human services for services to older persons.
She is the founder and is chair of the North Coast Repertory Theatre, a successful and popular theater group in Eureka. Earlier this year Neely was the recipient of the "Leadership Recognition Award" from the California Assembly of Local Arts Agencies.
A graduate of Eureka High School, Bonnie attended Humboldt State University before transferring to London, England, to complete her education. She lived in Europe for approximately seven years. She resides in Eureka with her husband, District Attorney Terry Farmer.
Holly Hosterman graduated from Humboldt State University in 1977 with a B.A. in art. She was born in Arcata, and attended Arcata Elementary School and Arcata High School.
Holly and her business partner, Paul Lubitz, started the business of Holly Yashi Design in 1981, designing and manufacturing jewelry in Arcata. The business has brown to employ 35 full-time employees and the jewelry is marketed nation-wide. Currently there are plans to expand the markets to England and Germany.
Holly has been interested in making jewelry since she was in high school. She studied jewelry design with David La Plantz at Humboldt State University. Holly Yashi Design has received many community and state awards for entrepreneurship.
Education
B.A. English, University of California, Berkeley
M.A. English, University of Wisconsin
M.A. Public Administration, Consortium of California State Colleges and Universities
Michele is the co-founder and Executive Director of Six Rivers Planned Parenthood. While teaching at the University of Hawaii (1970-73), Michele initiated her involvement with Planned Parenthood as a clinic volunteer in a family planning facility. Her enthusiasm and vision for family planning traveled with her to Humboldt County.
After moving to Humboldt County in 1973, Michele did part-time teaching at Humboldt State College and College of the Redwoods before she actively pursued the idea of organizing and operating a family planning clinic locally.
In 1974, Michele and two fellow co-founders established the Six Rivers Planned Parenthood organization, and in 1976 the Six Rivers Planned Parenthood Clinic was in operation. The clinic provided birth control information and services, and pregnancy testing. Today Six Rivers Planned parenthood provides extensive reproductive health services and has had over 10,000 patient visits.
Michele's energy and dedication are fueled by her desire "to encourage happy, healthy families through planning...and to ensure women's choices over their own lives."
Nancy Hilfiker will always be known for her efforts to rebuilt and renovate the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka. The soon to be completed aviary will be dedicated to her in honor of a decade of volunteer work.
Nancy was born in Eureka, attended school in Samoa and Blue Lake and graduated from Arcata High School. She graduated from Humboldt State University and received her master's degree in education in1955. She taught in a one room school, and finally in Eureka, earning her life-time teaching credential.
She diligently worked to preserve the history of the local area and to make the environment a clean place in which to live. As president of the League of Women Voters she spearheaded a comprehensive study on local water quality. She also completed a study of the occurrence rate of cancer in Humboldt County.
Nancy was vice president of Hilfiker pipe Co., Woman of the Year honoree, member of the College of the Redwoods Advisory Board and a member of the Humboldt County Grand Jury.
Pam Mendelsohn received her bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1966 from the Connecticut College for Women and her master's degree in psychology (PPS) from Humboldt state University in 1978. Among Pam's many accomplishments are that she has written two books: Happier by Degrees: A College Re-entry Guide for Women (published in 1980 by E.P. Dutton with a revised edition published in 1986 by Ten Speed Press) and Degrees of Success (published by Petersons in 1989). Pam's motivation for writing these books was "women...when they return to school and need advice and support. Often they are terrified to approach a counselor. My goal for writing Happier by Degrees was to provide the best friend that every re-entry woman deserves. I wrote Degrees of Success to help re-entry students explores the value of a degree by providing stories of women who have taken that path." Pam settled in Humboldt county in 1972. She really loves this community because "it's small enough that when people become involved, they can effect change." Pam is currently the Director of Development at KHSU radio station on the HSU campus.
Doris Niles attended Eureka Junior College from 1920 to 1922 when she passed her teacher's examination. In 1926 she earned a degree in biological science from Stanford University. This was followed by a master's degree in 1927, and finally a Ph. D. in botany in 1930. Doris taught first at Dobyn Creek School, then at Humboldt Normal School where she taught biology from 1927 to 1929. From 1930 to 1950 she taught biological science at Humboldt State part-time.
In the years from 1960 to 1990 Doris became an extension teacher for the University of California at Davis. In the northern California area she taught the natural sciences, consisting of ecology, seashore, wildlife, rocks and fossils, and wild flowers. She was responsible for the Humboldt County Office of Education's Wild Flower Show in May from 1980 to 1989.
With a grant from the Humboldt Area Foundation, The Doris K. Niles Humboldt County Science Series, consisting of twenty illustrated booklets, was produced in the years from 1982 to 1990.
Dr. Lori Dengler is a professor of geology at Humboldt state University. She completed all her coursework in geophysics at the University of California.
Her original field of study was electron microscopy and rock mechanics. Since coming to Humboldt in 1979, she has studied the formation of hill slopes and rivers, and compiled records of seismicity all over the state, and she has been actively involved in earthquake education.
Through a grant from the CSU and the California Earthquake Education Project, she has worked with many teachers on earthquake education. The intent of the legislature as to try to motivate community preparedness via the schools. Dr. Dengler has helped to create the local earthquake hotline.
Another major community activity has been the fostering of interest in science education through the "Expanding your Horizons" program, which has tried to encourage girls and young women to study math and science. Today in the United States, few young people are studying these subjects, and if we are to have a well-educated populace, all of us need to be aware of how the physical framework of the world works and how it affects all of us.
Dr. Phyllis Chinn is a professor of mathematics and of women's studies. She is also this year,s HSU Outstanding Professor.
Dr. Chinn studied mathematics at Brandeis University, Harvard University, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Barbara. Her field of study is graph theory as well as extensive work on the ways of teaching math and science.
Since coming to Humboldt state in 1975, she has been very active both on campus and in the community. On campus she has been in involved with faulty development, the Omsbudsman program, and the Redwood Area Math Project. The latter program is designed to provide the opportunity for math teachers at all grade levels to improve the curriculum for the north coast. A particular interest of Dr. Chinn's is to foster non-threatening approaches to the learning of mathematics, as well as to encourage people to realize the importance of math in daily life in order to evaluate the consequences of technology. As a part of this interest she has worked on "Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Math Conference" for young women grades 7-12. In addition to her academic interests, Dr. Chinn is a very active juggler. This appeals to her as a centering device, and as a physical manifestation of juggling everyday activities.
Elizabeth Morrison was born July 26, 1899. She attended the University of Wisconsin for 2 years and received her B.A. from Stanford University in 1923, and her J.D. from Stanford in 1924. She was admitted to the California Bar in 1924.
Elizabeth started her career in law as the City Attorney for Needles, California in 1924. She was one of only 20 women attorneys in the State of California.
She moved to Humboldt County in 1933 and became Humboldt County's first woman attorney. She practiced law with her husband, Marc, and sons, James and John, in Eureka for over 50 years. She specialized in cases involving probate and timber. Elizabeth was a selfless and private giver of her time to many community and women's causes. As a member of the International Association of Women Lawyers, she traveled widely to support women lawyers in the U.S. and abroad.
She was a member of the Humboldt County Bar Association and the treasurer from 1935 until her death in 1985. She was on the advisory board of the Humboldt County YWCA from 1940. In 1978 she was honored as one of the Twelve Women of Achievement in Humboldt County.
Education
B.A. Humboldt State University
M.A. (in progress) Humboldt State University
Computer Studies, Sonoma State University
Professional Seminars, Completion in Fund Raising, Public Relations, Management
Muriel Dinsmore, a Humboldt County native, is currently the Public Affairs Director for College of the Redwoods and the Executive Director of the College of the Redwoods Foundation.
Muriel's community involvement has been extensive, yet two organizations are near and dear to her heart: The Eureka Heritage Society and the College of the Redwoods. As a founding board member for both organizations, Muriel has established herself as a very valuable community resource.
Muriel's personal mission statement is "to educate culturally, historically, and socially." This mission is clearly put into action through her outstanding personal contributions to the Humboldt Arts Council, the Humboldt County and Fortuna Friends of the Library, Humboldt Historical Society, American Pen Women, Clarke Museum, Philanthropic Educational Organization, Eureka Heritage Society, Humboldt State University, College of the Redwoods, and not surprisingly, AAUW!
Ruby Winzler made a lifetime profession out of her love for children. Ruby was born in 1899 at Cannibal Island near the mouth of the Eel River. She drove a horse and buggy to Loleta Elementary school each day, transporting herself and other children. When she was of high school age, she caught the train at Fernbridge for Fortuna High school. She graduated from UC Berkeley in 1922 with a degree in math and chemistry. She obtained a teaching credential.
Because so many mothers had to work at the onset of the war, Ruby saw a need to develop a children's center. She obtained government funds to build a temporary center. Her goal was to create a center that provided guidance to the families and care to the children in a family like setting--a home away from home. The Winzler Day Care Center became a permanent day care center for children in 1963.
*Charter member of Humboldt Branch AAUW.
Sally Arnot has a B.A. in art from Humboldt State University, with an art history emphasis. She served on the Humboldt Arts Council from 1973-74, where as president, she negotiated and leased a building to house the Humboldt Cultural Center. Her duties included curatorial and directorial responsibilities for organizing fundraising, exhibits, publicity, and the management of staff and volunteers.
In 1975 Sally arranged for the establishment of the Humboldt Docent Council to introduce children to a new way of "seeing art."
Sally received the Humboldt Arts Council's Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts of Humboldt County in 1977, which was followed in 1978 by the "Women of Achievement Award, from the Humboldt County Status of Women Commission.
In 1980 she was appointed to the Humboldt State University Advisory Board to the President, and in 1989 she became its president.
Among other honors achieved by Sally is the "Award for Outstanding Contributions to Humboldt County Schools" from Superintendent Louis Bucher, appointment to the California Arts Council for 1987-1991 by Governor Deukmejian, and a term from 1990-1994 on the City of Eureka Arts and Culture Commission.
Susie Baker Fountain was a well-known local historian. She was born in Nebraska in 1893 and moved to Blue Lake in 1912. She returned to the University of Nebraska to finish an AB degree in mathematics, the only woman in her class! Upon her return to Humboldt County, she enrolled in the Humboldt Normal College, and was the first graduate in 1915.
She married Dr. Eugene F. Fountain, a dentist, in December, 1915. Throughout the over 50 years she lived in Humboldt County, she was very active in collecting and disseminating local historical information. In 1957, the Blue Lake Advocate was awarded the top story award for her series, "The Early Days of Humboldt County." The importance of her collection was recognized by the Bancroft Library, the California Society of Pioneers, and the Huntington Library. Locally, she served as the president of the Humboldt County Historical Society and was vice-president of the Board of Trustees of the Clarke Memorial Museum.
In 1966, she donated her entire collection of Humboldt papers to the library at Humboldt State College. These papers are regarded as "the most valuable research source outside of the Bancroft Library" on early Humboldt County history. All together the collection consisted of 75 feet of shelf space, 400 annotated notebooks, over 100 large envelopes of clippings; which when gathered together to be photocopied, came together in 119 volumes.
These volumes are available at both the Humboldt State University Humboldt Room and the Eureka-Humboldt County Public Libraries. The original papers are kept at the HSU library.
* Unfortunately, due to the much later date of this online publication, the original photos of some honorees are missing. JF 1995
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Last Updated 3/10/97
