"A Rare Bird -- Hazel Wolf"
by Helen Engle,
NAS Board Member

Hazel Wolf addresses the crowd after receiving the Audubon Medal. Photo Credit: Walt Pomeroy

On Dec. 6, 1997, National Audubon awarded Seattle (WA) Audubon member Hazel Wolf the prestigious Audubon Medal (see Networker, Vol. II, No. 2, p.1, Spring '97), honoring her "... as a driving force throughout the history of bird conservation in the U.S.". On March 21, 1998, Hazel and 600 well-wishers in Seattle, including the former governor, celebrated her 100th birthday. Organizers of the event, affectionately known as The Wolf Pack, included 50 volunteers chaired by Linda Anchondo, Judy Roan, Julie Myers, and Seattle Audubon Executive Director Chris Peterson. A write-up on the event by her friend Helen Engle follows:

"Greeting guests as they poured into the Scottish Rite Center was a joyous task. We watched as family, longtime friends, VIPs, the braintrust of the environmental movement of the West and beyond trooped in to honor Hazel on her 100th birthday and enjoy the social event.

After assembling in the social hall amid refreshments, wildly colorful bird kites and flowers, we were led to the auditorium by the drumming and chanting of the Lummi invocation. The Tribal Chiefs in ceremonial robes cloaked Hazel in reverence, escorted her to the stage and stood by as honor guards.

Haunting instrumental music by local artists and a giant screening of Hazel's life and adventures created an atmosphere of good humor and happy memories. National Audubon's beloved "Official" emcee John Borneman opened with his familiar old jokes, then led us through a diverse program including a story tableaux of Hazel's life. Spokespersons for her multiple endeavors told of the honing of her skills; the defining and sharpening of her resolve; organizing for civil liberties, for unions, and exponentially for Audubon. Hazel's love of all kinds of people, her personalizing of the needs of others and her inspiring a new generation, was dramatized by children of all colors dancing and weaving among us with shining banners, colorful streamers and flags. They came to sit at Hazel's feet on an overflowing stage.

A proclamation was read by immediate-past Governor Mike Lowry (standing in for present Gov. Gary Locke). Seattle Audubon's gift was presented by artist Tony Angell; Denis Hayes delivered a keynoter describing "Lessons Learned from Hazel." When the honoree took the microphone, she delightedly described her "Kids For The Environment" -- The Hazel Wolf Endowed Fund.

Then amidst fanfares by the Washington Middle School Jazz Band, trooping children, banners, flags and kites, we swirled to the social hall for birthday sweets, champagne and bird-friendly shade-grown coffee. Party Girl Hazel presided over the chattering reunion of friends, and her beloved musical troubadours Dana Lyons and Bill Oliver, while we toasted this beloved woman far into the night."

For More Info, Contact: Chris Peterson, Seattle AS, 8050 35th NE; Seattle, WA 98115; ph: 206/523-8243; FAX: 206/528-7779; e-mail: chrisp@seattleaudubon.org.