Arizona Women's Hall of Fame Announces Its Newest Inductees

PHOENIX – Yesterday afternoon at the Carnegie Library in Phoenix, five remarkable women were inducted into the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame.  Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett served as the event’s Master of Ceremonies and honored the induction of Helene Bennett, Alice Birdsall, Pauline Brown, Jean Clark and Anne Lindeman.

“Last evening’s event was a wonderful celebration of these women’s contribution to Arizona’s history,” said Secretary Bennett.  In light of next year’s State Centennial, recognizing the role that women have taken in shaping Arizona is especially noteworthy.  I was delighted to join with former Secretary of State Betsey Bayless, who led the induction ceremony, in honoring the women who were inducted into the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame.”

The Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame program pays tribute posthumously, and honors in perpetuity, the remarkable women whose contributions to the arts, athletics, business, education, government, the humanities, philanthropy and science, have played a significant role in the history of Arizona and provide a significant contribution to the historical record of the State of Arizona. Currently, 79 women have been inducted. Women are inducted into the Hall of Fame every two years. To learn more about all the women in the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame, visit the website at www.lib.az.us/awhof.

The 2010 Inductees:

Helene Thomas Bennett , 1901-1988
In 1926, she arrived in Yuma with an M.A. in bacteriology and founded the Yuma Clinical Laboratory, later known as Thomas Laboratories. She was responsible for passage of the first Yuma milk ordinance and throughout her long career fought to improve community health conditions and standards in Yuma and the surrounding area.

Alice M Birdsall, 1880-1958
Arizona’s second female attorney was admitted to the Arizona Bar in 1912. Alice started her own practice in Phoenix in 1914 and worked until 1958. A recognized authority on bankruptcy law, she was instrumental in creating a law that provided the right of inheritance for children born out of wedlock.

Pauline Bates Brown, 1901-1963
As the first women’s editor for the Arizona Republic from 1931-1940, she publicized women’s issues and worked to elevate the status of Arizona women. During WWII she served as the only woman director of a state War Information Office in the United States. Following the war, she worked in the Arizona Bureau of Indian Affairs to increase educational and scholarship opportunities for native Americans.

Jean Maddock Clark,  1909-1992
A leader, teacher, mentor and inspiration to hundreds of girls scouts and students, her life-long drive to stretch the imaginations and abilities of young girls influenced future leaders and shaped girl scouting in Arizona.  She was the first Arizona woman to be awarded the Golden Eaglet (the highest award/honor from the Girl Scouts of America) and volunteered for Girl Scouts in Arizona for 50 years.

Anne E. Lindeman, 1932-2001
She is best known for her work to establish ASU West, her legislative service, and her unfailing advocacy for the elderly. She was a State Legislator from 1971-1986 and was the first woman to hold the post of Majority Whip in the Senate, from 1983-1986. She drafted the 1984 legislation creating ASU West.

Click here for photos of this event.