Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame selects 10 women to be virtually inducted on Oct. 18

The Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame has selected 10 women to be honored at a virtual induction ceremony this fall carried on its website, www.alaskawomenshalloffame.org. These women from across the state will be recognized for their accomplishments within their communities, their professions and our state.

The virtual induction ceremony is at 6 pm on Tuesday, Oct. 18. Inductees are from Anchorage, Willow, Fairbanks, and Utqiaġvik. They have been shaping the face of Alaska for decades, mentored many and continue to inspire future generations.

Those inducted are:

Barbera Berner, provided leadership to implement and improve the education of nurse practitioners, registered nurses and community health aides at UAA School of Nursing.

Pat Branson, best known as Mayor Branson of the City of Kodiak, the fearless big picture thinker with a laser-focused mindset who can envision a project, lay out the details of how to get it done, and then jump in and help.

Etheldra Jordan Davis, 1931-2020, the first African American teacher hired on contract by the Anchorage School District. She was promoted to Assistant Principal at Willow Crest Elementary and with community support, was promote to become the first African American Principal of the district at Fairview Elementary School.

Shirley H. Fraser, the first neurologist in Anchorage; she had her own practice for three decades. She started the first EEG lab at Providence Hospital and State of Alaska. She also created the first sleep lab in Alaska.

Brenda Itta-Lee, an Iñupiaq from Barrow (Utqiaġvik), was the first Alaska Native woman elected to the Alaska State Legislature. She served on the House Finance Committee and co-sponsored the bill that created the Alaska State Permanent Fund that distributes financial dividends to residents of Alaska annually.

DeeDee Jonrowe, 36 Iditarod races, 16 top ten Iditarod finishes, 11 Mount Marathons, cancer survivor, Ironwoman, marathoner, reporter for KTUU Channel 2 News, and supporter of search and rescue missions with her dogs. For the past three years she has participated in rescue missions from Kodiak, Fairbanks and beyond.

Rebecca Parker, known for building and supporting capital campaigns that have left a dramatic impact on Alaska and the Anchorage community.

Karen Perdue, a lifelong Alaskan with a background in health care, public policy and interests in the history and culture of Alaska. She serves as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska.

Sheila Toomey, 40-year Alaska radio & TV reporter and newspaper journalist. Best known for being a part of the team at the Anchorage Daily News when it won their first Pulitzer Prize and for 30 years producing and writing The Alaska Ear, a weekly column that kept an off-stage eye on the influential and famous.

Roxy Wright, best known as a highly respected life-long Alaskan athlete and one of the most accomplished, man or woman, sprint dog mushers in the history of the sport.

The Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame hosts a web site at

www.alaskawomenshalloffame.org with the biographies and

photos of all women inducted since its inception in 2009.

Nominations will be open, see the website for the appropriate

form, shortly after this year’s induction ceremonies.