Notable women of Grays Harbor profiled for National Women’s History Month

Editor’s note: Tom Quigg writes stories for the Polson Museum about nationally or internationally recognized people or events with strong connections to Grays Harbor. He is a lifelong Grays Harbor resident, longtime real estate broker in Aberdeen and Ocean Shores, and current Port of Grays Harbor commissioner.

As we wrap up National Women’s History Month, here’s a short list of women of national, international and regional acclaim from Grays Harbor. Let’s be thankful to these women, and many others, who have helped keep the Harbor a better place.

The list is intended to provide short information on each person. Some citations are omitted for brevity, and for detailed information the reader is encouraged to perform an online search.

Mary Elizabeth Achey

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Took up homesteading in Wishkah in ~1880. One of the earliest documented female artists in Western America. “Did (possibly) more art works in the American West between 1860 and 1885 than any other female artist … over 500 works.” — Ask Art

Paula Akerlund, EdD

Led the conception, design and construction of the “nation’s first vertical evacuation center” at Ocosta Elementary. Born, raised and educated in Aberdeen.

Gertrude Backstrom

A competitive pistol shooter during 1950-1959, held 17 of the 30 recognized national women’s pistol records. In 1958 she held the NRA overall civilian pistol shooting title. Open to men and women — the first and only woman to obtain that honor in NRA’s competitive pistol history. Raised and educated in Aberdeen, lived in Hoquiam during her shooting career.

Wendy Hagen Bauer, PhD

Universally recognized astrophysicist, academic researcher and Professor Emerita from Wellesley College. Born, raised and educated in Aberdeen.

Gail Brown Quigg

Internationally renowned author of serging, sewing and home decoration publications, now retired. Worked out of her home in Hoquiam.

Trisha Brown

1991 recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship “Genius Award.” 2002 National Medal of Arts recipient from President George W. and Laura Bush, as a world-renowned choreographer, and one of the most celebrated people in modern dance. Born, raised and educated in Aberdeen.

Meg Chittenden

Also known as Rosalind Carson. Nationally acclaimed murder mystery novelist and speaker at mystery and writer conventions. 33 published novels. Worked from her home in Ocean Shores from 1988, to her death in 2016.

Klancy Clark DeNevers

Author of The Colonel and the Pacifist. Explores the conflicted lives of two Aberdonians during World War II. Raised and educated in Aberdeen.

Beverly Cobain, RN

Nationally recognized speaker, educator and workshop leader. Author of book entitled When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens. Cousin of Kurt Cobain. Raised and educated in Aberdeen.

Phyllis ‘PJ’ Curtis

NEA Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America in 1975. A founding member of Women United, ensuring women a voice in laws that governed them. Taught in Raymond, Aberdeen, Port Townsend and back to Aberdeen.

Barbara DeLateur, MD

In 1998 she received the Distinguished Academician Award from the Association of Academic Physiatrists. Retired Director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Johns Hopkins University. Born, raised and educated in Hoquiam.

Diane Ellison

Diane and her father Russ won the International Trick and Fancy Log Rolling Championship five times — 1960, 1961, 1966, 1968 and 1969, each time they competed in the event. Diane won the 1961 International Women’s Division Championship. Born, raised and educated in Aberdeen.

Carrie Goldberg

A leading victims’ rights attorney practicing in Manhattan. Author of 2019 New York Times Editor’s Choice Nobody’s Victim. Born, raised and educated in Aberdeen.

Evie Hatfield Hansen

Nationally known writer of books on cooking seafood. Has published six books, including Seafood Twice a Week. Raised and educated in Aberdeen.

Maranatha Hay

Directed the World’s first Immersive Documentary Feature Film for dome format theaters, or virtual reality format. Five-time regional Emmy Award winning director and producer. Director of Communication, Washington State Department of Health 2021 to present. Raised and educated in Wishkah.

Ruth Karr McKee

In 1917, was appointed to the University of Washington Board of Regents — the first woman to hold that position. In 1923 was elected president of the UW Regents, the first woman in the nation to hold such an office at a major university. Born, raised and educated in Hoquiam.

Lynn Kessler

Served 18 years as state Representative from 1993-2011. Twelve of those years as the Majority Leader. The first female to serve as a functioning Majority Leader. In 2010, she was unanimously selected by the National Council of State Legislatures as the Most Effective Legislator in the nation. The first woman in the nation to individually receive the award. Resided in Ocean Shores and Hoquiam from 1981 through 2019.

Helen Kleeb

In 1972 took on the recurring role of Miss Mamie Baldwin in the CBS series The Waltons (nine seasons), plus numerous supporting roles in television. Born in South Bend, attended schools in Aberdeen through her junior year of high school.

Lori Kohlstaedt, PhD-retired

UC Berkeley, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology. Director, Proteomics Laboratory. Holds three patents related to Multimeric Proteins. As a post-graduate fellow at Yale University worked as a member of a Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry team that made a milestone breakthrough in the fight to develop an AIDS Vaccine. Raised and educated in Hoquiam.

Lady Washington

Replica of the ship Robert Grays sailed on his discovery of Grays Harbor. Has had roles as a sailing vessel in full length movies, including The Pirates of the Caribbean. Constructed and home ported in Aberdeen

Isabelle Lamb

International business leader. The only woman to serve as a Port of Grays Harbor Commissioner from 1994 through 2004. Often she was the first or only woman in her endeavors as well as a role model and mentor to many. Resided in Hoquiam from 1948 to 2016.

Sun Min, JD

One time associate producer for 48 Hours, 20/20 and Prime Time Live.

Winner of the Edward R. Murrow journalism award and Cinema in Industry Award, circa 2008. Raised and educated in Aberdeen.

Carol Minugh, PhD

Born in a Native American community near Helena, Montana in 1934. Family moved to Hoquiam where she graduated high school in 1952. In 1971, after raising four children she entered Grays Harbor College, and eventually earned her PhD at Penn State University. Her post university career was focused on education with native peoples around the United States.

Vicki Mitchell, PhD

Vicki and her husband Ken are artists in residence at National Parks in Harpers Ferry West Virginia, and Richmond Virginia, where they serve a month per year at each location. Resides in Cosmopolis.

Gloria Nelson-Collins

One of 1,074 pilots (25,000 applied) to complete training as a member of the Women’s AirForce Service Pilots (WASP) during WWII. The first women trained to fly American military aircraft. Born in South Bend, raised in Tokeland, graduated from Ocosta High School. Worked at Nelson Crab in Tokeland, before and after WWII.

Rose Papac, MD

A pioneer in the study of tumors and their treatment including becoming involved in groundbreaking research during the infancy of chemotherapy. First woman admitted to St. Louis University Medical School, and the first woman intern at the school’s hospital. The first woman awarded tenure in the Department of Internal Medicine at Yale University. One of the very first women to have received tenure in the Yale School of Medicine. Born, raised and educated in Montesano.

Gladys Phillips

Prominent Aberdeen attorney for 61 years. Served in the Washington state House of Representative from 1951-1953. Helped found the Grays Harbor Community Foundation in 1994, and funded the Gladys Phillips Cultural Tours Program, which permits all sixth graders in Grays Harbor County to attend the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s production of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. Born, raised and educated in Aberdeen.

Fawn Sharp, JD

President, Quinault Indian Nation 2006-2021. Chair, Indian Trust Commission. 2011-2014. First female president of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians. President of the National Congress of American Indians, 2019-2023. First person issued diplomatic credentials as a tribal leader by the U.S. Department of State, representing the National Congress of American Indians at 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference. Born in Aberdeen, raised and educated in Taholah.

Mary Tebb

One of the first women to work for Walt Disney. Started her career as an “inker.” Recipient of the 1985 Motion Picture Screen Cartoonists Golden Awards. Raised and educated in Aberdeen.

Ann Swanson

Ten time Washington state Women’s Amateur Golf Champion. Six time Washington state Senior Champion. National Club Champion 1992. 2005 Senior Golfers Association of America Ladies Champion. Born, raised and educated in Aberdeen.

Julie Semler Ueland

Her Backsplash Pottery is known around the world for her striking hand-painted tableware and other items. Licenses her designs to manufacturers in the gift and home accessories market. Works from her home in White Salmon. Raised and educated in Hoquiam.