Marin Women's Hall of Fame Honorees
1990
Social Change
A long time consumer activist, as founder of TURN (Toward Utility Rate Normalization) in 1973, Sylvia Siegel became the main protagonist and protector of all utility paying consumers. After finding that no one was really challenging the utilities companies, Ms. Siegel became a self-taught expert... Read more
1990
Business & Professions
Alice Yarish has always loved to write. She wrote for various publications throughout high school, college and law school. During the Olympic Games held in Los Angeles in the summer of 1932, Alice reported on the women's competitive events. Eventually moving to Marin, she began to cover the... Read more
1989
Community Service
A former educator, Iniece Bailey was a selfless and tireless worker for many causes. A passionate activist for social and civil rights, she was co-founder of Operation Give a Damn, Inc., a Marin City based program, established in 1969, to assist young people at risk.
Ms. Bailey was also co-... Read more
1989
Arts
Ann Brebner is helping to change the face of downtown San Rafael through her successful efforts to renovate and restore the Rafael Theater as a permanent home for the Film Institute of Northern California which produces the Mill Valley Film Festival.
As a past Board President and current member of... Read more
1989
Business & Professions
Newsweek has noted that Ann Diamond founded the first all women-lawyer legal firm in the Bay Area. In addition to that "first," Ms. Diamond also pioneered the area of family law as a legal specialty. As a member of the Family Law Advisory Commission of the California State Bar, she helped to set... Read more
1989
Education
With understanding and enthusiasm for the democratic process, Virginia Franklin infused several generations of high school students with appreciation for civil liberties and our system of government. Through her efforts, many Marin teens have participated in "mock political conventions"; others... Read more
1989
Public Affairs
Helen Nelson has devoted most of her adult life to consumer advocacy and education. With a focus on American consumer, she has promoted fairness and truth. Often in the public spotlight, she has held press conferences, testified before state legislatures and the U.S. Congress, addressed countless... Read more
1989
Environment
Jean Starkweather has worked for many years to preserve the beauty and natural features of Marin County. One person has commented that "Anytime there is a public hearing on an issue that will affect the environment, Jean Starkweather is present, both with information and a readiness to take action... Read more
1989
Community Service
Grace Wellman gave her time over and over to influence issues meaningful to the community. Her involvement and leadership were varied. She ran the Civil Defense for Kentfield during World War II. She coordinated the volunteer program, speaker's bureau and other programs for the Marin American... Read more
1988
Arts
Mimi Baez Farina first picked up a guitar when she was thirteen. By the time she was eighteen, she was performing her music on stage. Since then, Mimi's life has always been close to the performing arts. In 1974, Mimi became the founder and guiding force behind Bread and Roses, a non-profit... Read more
1988
Health & Medicine, Social Change
Patricia Hallinan was one of the first women to graduate from Stanford Medical School. Although she was actively discouraged from pursuing medical studies by some of her professors (who did not want female students), she successfully completed her medical program. When medical internships other... Read more
1988
Community Service
Anne T. Kent devoted her life to serving and enriching the Marin community through her enthusiastic interest and energetic participation in a variety of activities. She showed her love of the environment by donating half of Kent Island in Bolinas Lagoon to the Nature Conservancy as a wildlife... Read more
1988
Community Service
Edna Muse is a volunteer dedicated to many Marin organizations. She has committed countless hours to many causes that impact the quality of life for local residents, including the American Cancer Society, the Novato Human Needs Center, the Novato Unified School District, and numerous local... Read more
1988
Public Affairs
Vera Schultz was a trailblazer for Marin County women's involvement in politics. During her lifetime, she was a living demonstration that women can make a constructive contribution to society. She was first elected to the Mill Valley City Council. Within a few years, she became the first woman... Read more
1988
Education
Elizabeth Terwilliger, known to generations of Marin residents as "Mrs. T.", has devoted over forty years of her life to environment teaching. She began the work as a young mother when she took her own children on nature walks. During these times, she shared her high regard for all living... Read more
1988
Community Service
Mae Wygant is an artist with vision. It is her ability to carry her vision to fruition that has benefited thousands of elderly Bay Area residents. An ordained elder at her church, Mae spoke with fellow church members gathered at her kitchen table about the unmet needs of older Marinites. Many... Read more