Marin Women's Hall of Fame

PATTY GARBARINO
Environment
1999

     Patty Garbarino, President of Marin Sanitary Service, has been at the forefront of recycling technology nationwide.  Her company began the first curbside recycling program and she was instrumental in beginning Marin's Hazardous Waste Collection program.  In the male-dominated waste management business, Ms. Garbarino has demonstrated courage and leadership.  Despite the less than welcoming attitude in the industry toward women, she has won the respect of her colleagues.  In the year 2000, she will serve as the first woman president for the Refuse Removal Council.     

     Besides running a successful business, Ms. Garbarino contributes her company's time, services and money, as well as her own, to support community projects.  She serves as Chair of the Marin County Planning Commission and serves on both the Marin Ballet Board and the Rafael Theater Renovation board.  In addition, Ms. Garbarino spearheaded the Dominican College's campaign to renovate and expand its campus.     

     As president of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Garbarino aided in raising of $500,000 from the business community to support the public schools.  She was also instrumental in organizing a transit tax campaign.  Ms. Garbarino was a board member and a major fund raiser for the San Rafael Public Education Foundation in its early years.  She also organized and energized hundreds of volunteers through 4 parcel tax campaigns in 2 bond measures benefitting the San Rafael city schools. During the first campaign, she deferred critical surgery in order to shepherd the campaign through the election. The campaigns were successful, aided by her efforts, and have provided the San Rafael Schools with critical funding.  Ms. Garbarino went on to found a state level lobbying organization for the California public schools called Kids Voice.     

     Patty Garbarino is a woman who dares to be courageous, especially on behalf of issues about which she cares deeply, of which there are many.  She is a public servant, a dynamic business leader and an outstanding spokeswoman.

2010-2011: She currently sits on the Marin County Office of Education Board of Trustees.

Read the extended biography by Marilyn Longinotti Geary

DONNA GARSKE
Social Change
1997

     Since 1974, Donna Garske has been devoted to spirited activism on behalf of women, working initially with women in the criminal justice system, and then as Executive Director of Marin Abused Women's Services (MAWS).  Throughout her 17 years at MAWS, she has led the way with innovative responses to men's violence against women, including an internationally replicated reeducation program for batterers, and one of the first transitional housing programs for battered women, for which she earned an award from the American Planning Association in 1983.      

     Her advocacy efforts have influenced legislation such as the Federal Violence Against Women Act and a California law establishing minimum requirements for batterers' programs.  In 1992, she guided MAWS in creating "Transforming Communities: Creating Safety and Justice for Women and Girls" as a learning center for preventing violence against women and girls, recognized as a model approach by the National Academy of Sciences.     

     Ms. Garske, a San Rafael resident, was selected as a 1995 National Gimbel Foundation Child and Family Scholar to explore new approaches to preventing family violence.  Her resulting article, "Transforming the Culture:  Creating Safety, Equality and Justice for Women and Girls," was published in Preventing Violence in America (1996).  In 1996, she was appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Prevention Professionals and Advocates.  Donna helped develop Europe's first batters' program and works with the Network of East-West Women to support domestic violence programs in Eastern/Central Europe and the former Soviet Union.  Her tireless commitment, enthusiasm, humor, integrity and vision serve as an inspiration. 

Read the extended biography by Shari Rice

     Felecia Gail Gaston was denied admission to her local school of ballet, when she was a child, because of the color of her skin.  Years later, this painful experience was to become the impetus for one of her greatest accomplishments.     

     In the late 80's, while serving as the Community Relations/Cultural Events Coordinator at the Marin City Multi-Service Center, Ms. Gaston became interested in developing opportunities for Marin City Children to increase their self-esteem.  One such opportunity was a scholarship program she developed in collaboration with the Marin Ballet, which enabled Marin City children to take classes as the Marin Ballet.  By 1990 the Multi-Service Center closed its doors, leaving Felecia without a job and the children without an avenue to pursue ballet.     

     Refusing to let an opportunity die, Ms. Gaston shared her dream with Anne Rogers, executive director of the Marin Community Food Bank, and with Community Action Marin (CAM), an umbrella organization for social service programs.  With their support, she founded "Performing Stars of Marin," a non-profit agency offering low-income children, predominately African American, an opportunity to learn dance, martial arts, grooming, discipline and manners in an environment of respect and support.     

     Ms. Gaston was responsible for bringing "Performing Stars" from a struggling neighborhood program, with no budget, to a successful county-wide organization.  Through her determination and commitment, she has earned great respect in Marin county and beyond and has brought together people of various racial and ethnic backgrounds.  Her successful relationship with other Marin arts organizations impressed the Marin Community Foundation, which has become the major financial supporter of "Performing Stars."   

     Ms. Gaston enjoys the enthusiastic support of many Marin City families as well.  They see "Performing Stars" as a positive, inspirational alternative to the perils of poverty.  As one of her nominators said, "Felecia is, herself, a 'Performing Star' in Marin County."

Read the extended biography by Marilyn L. Geary

EMILY GATES
Arts
1993

     Emily Gates is known not only as a inspirational community member and role model for young women and girls, but also as one of the most respected and beloved chorus and musical theater teachers in Northern California.  Born and educated in Ohio, Ms. Gates married her high school sweetheart and began a music teaching career which continued through the birth of four children, a move to California, and twenty years of teaching music in the Novato Unified School District.  She currently teaches Concert Band, Concert Choir, Jazz Choir, Show Choir and Musical Theater Workshop at San Marin High School.  Ms. Gates serves as a board member and Jazz Show Choir Repertoire Standards Chair of the American Choral Directors' Association, has hosted choral festivals and given workshops for the California Music Educators' Association, and is a member of the Novato Music Educators' Conference, the California Band Directors Association and the International Association of Jazz Educators.     

     Ms. Gates has assembled and coached innumerable musical groups that have achieved regional and state awards.  She counts her real rewards through the achievements of her former students in the musical and theatrical fields, many of whom attribute to her the awakening of their talent. 

ELIZABETH GATOV
Public Affairs
1990

     A long-time political activist, Elizabeth Smith Gatov served as Democratic Committeewoman for California from 1956 - 1965.  In 1960, she was appointed by President Kennedy as the Treasurer of the United States, becoming the highest placed woman in that administration.     

     In her early years, Ms. Gatov was active in civic activities such as the Junior League, Red Cross and Sunny Hills.  In 1948, she became involved in the congressional campaign of her neighbor, Roger Kent and learned that "intimately everything that's important and lasting, if it has any social impact, gets into the political field."     

     With her return from Washington, Ms. Gatov became extremely involved with Planned Parenthood, ultimately becoming the national organization's first Public Affairs Director.  Her advocacy on the issue of reproductive rights was responsible for enactment of progressive legislation at the state and federal level.     

     Upon the death of her husband, Ms. Gatov wrote "Windows in the Dark", a primer on the fundamentals of money management designed to help women take charge of their financial lives.     

     On her death in 1997, one historian's words were recounted, "Widely read in both domestic and international policy issues, deeply dedicated to the battle against social injustice, experienced in the 'old politics' of party and precinct organization and the 'new politics' of television...Libby Gatov represents all that is best in American politics.  Respect, trust and integrity - her life is a personal testimonial to the glory of the democratic process at its best."

Read the extended biography by Nancy Nakai

JOYCE H. GOLDFIELD
Community Service
1994

     As a young mother, Joyce Goldfield spent hours on the ice-skating rink, in the ballet studio and in her sail boat.  After a violent attack on her life, which she miraculously survived, Ms. Goldfield developed multiple sclerosis (associated with the trauma of this attack).  Subsequent balance problems interfered with her ability to ice skate at her previously level of expertise and she returned to her childhood love, horses.  While riding, she was bucked off a horse and confined to a full-body cast for two months.  Discussing her frustration about the cast and hindrance to her freedom with her friend Duane T. Irving, they talked about the problems of disabled youngsters, confined to wheelchairs, unable to properly enjoy the freedom and healing powers of the wilderness.     

     On July 9, 1977, at Duane's ranch with 12 riders and 6 gentle horses, she opened the Halleck Creek Riding Club, a Marin County 4-H Club.  The club has grown to a membership of over 500 riders of all ages and disabilities, with a core of 100 volunteers and 35 horses.  Ms. Goldfield has written a book about 20 years of Halleck Creek in which she states that Halleck Creek is an  affirmation that life is a joy, regardless of the pitfalls, and that it is more important to celebrate what you CAN do, rather than to grieve over what you cannot.

Read the extended biography by Nancy Smith Harris

KATE HACKER (posthumous)
Community Service
2002

      Kate Hacker touched hundreds of lives as a compassionate teacher and an inspiring community organizer.  She improved the lives of children - especially teenagers - by connecting them with their community.     

     Kate Hacker taught early childhood development at Santa Rosa Junior College, in childcare programs, and ran children's drama workshops.  She served as Director of the Campaign for a Healthier Community for Children (CHCC) from 1987 until her death.     

     The creation of the Music Mentor Program in 1993 was the high point of Kate's professional life.   This innovative program featured monthly concerts by local, teenage bands and drew crowds of six hundred.  Despite initial objections from local authorities, Kate persisted.  She took on her community's fear of teenage energy and made from it an outlet for teenage creativity.  Kate believed the only way teens would learn responsibility was by having them handle the concerts themselves.  They interviewed bands, promoted the concerts, performed, and even managed security.  By teaching them responsibility, Kate showed teens they could have fun, earn respect, and achieve success.     

     While struggling with pancreatic cancer in 1998, Kate worked with her staff until her last month, preparing them to carry on the work of CHCC. Two weeks before she died, Kate rested at home while CHCC's annual talent show (the 12th she produced) took place.  After the show the child and adult participants stood under Kate's bedroom window and serenaded her with the songs she'd taught them.  Later that year, 50 children and adults made a float in Kate's honor and marched in the County Fair Days Parade, where Kate Hacker was posthumously named Honorary Marshall.

PATRICIA HALINAN, M.D.
  Medicine & Social Change
1988

     Patricia Halinan 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 than at children's hospitals were routinely denied to women, Patricia Halinan directly negotiated a general medical internship at San Francisco General Hospital.  When she completed her internship, she was the first Stanford graduate in twenty years to be awarded a residency at San Francisco General.  She later entered private practice as a cardiologist.     

     Dr. Halinan eventually became Assistant Health Officer for Marin County.  In this position she became closely acquainted with the special needs of disabled children, children with birth defects and other children with special needs.  She established a program in the Department of Public Health for the protection of battered children.  She was a champion for the rights of the developmentally disabled.  Later, as a representative of the Agency for Infant Development, she worked with State Assembly members to write, sponsor and pass legislation designed to protect California's children.  She actively lobbied in Sacramento and made numerous television appearances on behalf of these laws and other child-related issues.  She was one of the first to address the problem of fetal alcohol syndrome.  Dr. Halinan received numerous awards during her life, including the March of Dimes Meritorious Service Award.

Read Patricia Halinan's extended biography

ANNA HALPRIN
Arts
1998

     Anna Halprin, a Marin County resident for over 50 years, has won national and international awards in recognition of her prestigious achievements as a dancer  and choreographer.  Halprin is considered to be one of the most highly esteemed 20th century dancers, whose ranks include celebrities such as Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey and Merce Cunningham.  She has received the largest dance award in the country, the Samual H. Scripps/American Dance Festival Award for lifetime achievement.     

     Since the late 1930's, Halprin has revolutionized her art form and has inspired fellow choreographers to take modern dance to new dimensions.  She has been an innovator throughout her career, experimenting with improvisation, with the audience-performer relationship, and with the place of dance in the social and political realms.     

     In the early 70's, when she was diagnosed with cancer, Halprin's focus shifted to healing, not only for herself, but for others and for the planet.  This concern led her to work with cancer patients, and to create healing rituals for the community.  One such ritual, the "Circle the Earth" dance, is performed annually at Easter on Mt. Tamalpais and has been introduced in 36 countries throughout the world.  Her "Planetary Dance: A Prayer for Peace," was staged in Berlin at an event commemorating the end of World War II.  In 1995, Halprin was invited by Mikhail Gorbachev to present an invocation at the State of the World Forum in California.  She published Dance as a Healing Art, as a source of guidance and support for those living with a life threatening illness.

Read the extended biography by Rita Gardner

PEGGY HARRELL Religion
2003

     Peggy Harrell, Director of Marin County's Prisoner Services, was ordained a minister in the United Church of Christ 22 years ago.  Prisoners in jail and at San Quentin Prison have come to depend on her after more than two decades she has spent working among them.     

     When Peggy started working in the jail, there were very few rehabilitation services.  As she says, "In the beginning I carried a cardboard box with pencils, paper, and magazines up and down the tiers." Today seventeen outside agencies provide programs for prisoners.  Many of these are considered models.  In fact personnel from other sheriff's departments, seeking to begin rehabilitation programs of their own, often visit to see how Marin's successful programs work.     

     The jail's drug and alcohol recovery programs have transformed the lives of countless inmates.  These programs, administered by Bay Area Community Resources, stress that the person is responsible for his own recovery.     

     Other programs Peggy supervised emphasize the practical skills required for successful rehabilitation.  These programs include English as a Second Language, GED preparation and exam, job search techniques, AIDS education, breast cancer detection workshops, parenting skills, and spiritual direction by various faiths.     

     The Mothers and Fathers program directed by Marin Literacy emphasizes positive parenting by teaching prisoners and importance of reading to their children.  After completing an eight-week class, prisoners pick two books to be sent home to their child.  They read one of the books onto tape, so the child can hear the absent parent's voice over and over again.     

     San Quentin inmates also receive Peggy's care and attention.  She visits Death Row weekly and has served as a Spiritual Advisor at the executions of three men.  Peggy considers it a great privilege to work among the incarcerated in Marin County.

CAROLYN HORAN, Ed. D.
Education
1992

     As Executive Director of the Beryl Buck Institute for Education, Carolyn Horan is dedicated to working with schools to restructure education to better meet student and family needs.     

     While working to support her two children, Ms. Horan earned her B.S. and Masters degree from San Francisco State University.  During her education, she was involved in developing the Regional Occupational Programs. particularly the Office Occupation Program which offers free training for re-entry women.     

     Ms. Horan has a keen understanding of the importance of change and growth for education.  Some of the positions she has held include Superintendent of the K-8 District in Fairfax, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services and Planning for Marin County Office of Education, President of the Marin Chapter of the Association of California School Administrators, President of Marin Association of Superintendents, and Chair of the Youth Committee for the San Rafael Rotary Club.  She was in charge of the project that resulted in the development of the 1,700 acre Walker Creek Environmental Education Center in West Marin.  Ms. Horan was a member of the County-State Steering Committee under the California Department of Education and the recipient of the Educator of the Year award in Marin County.

DOROTHY A. HUGHES
Community Service
1991

     A self-proclaimed radical working for peace and social justice, Dorothy Hughes' concerns about the isolation and disarray of American families has led to a variety of events, programs, and numerous efforts to reshape relevant public policy.     

     Her efforts began while working on her master's degree and raising eight children. She also taught disadvantaged youth and was active in the peace movement opposing involvement in Vietnam.  Her move to Marin in 1969 began a career with the Mental Health Association that  has included developing a comprehensive community care system for mental health clients, such as Marin Lodge, Buckalew and Avanti houses; preventative services such as Suicide Prevention and the Canal Children's Center; and community action programs such as stop-bys for latch-key children.  These programs are part of a network that assists people with mental health problems and addresses the concerns that led to the formation of the "Campaign for a Healthier Community".     

     Dorothy Hughes is always there to organize, chair or serve on important Marin-based groups devoted to human rights, mental health, children, and older people at the local, state and federal levels.  Her fond hope is that there will one day be a progressive national policy on children and families.

GRACE A. HUGHES
Business & Professions
2002

     Through her outstanding business acumen and dedication to the community, Grace Hughes has brought success to her company as well as generous commitment to many Marin non-profit organizations.     

     Since Ms. Hughes became President of the Marin Airporter in 1984, the company has evolved from an eight-vehicle operation to a 26-bus "transportation empire" with two terminals, an administrative center, and a maintenance facility.  More than 90 Airporter employees provide daily service to SFO at half-hour intervals, as well as charter service throughout the Bay Area.   

     Before assuming the leadership of Marin Airporter, Grace spent six years in the public sector.  She was a program director with the CORO Foundation, an organization dedicated to strengthening communities by training individuals to be effective, ethical leaders.  Grace also worked for the Democratic National Committee in California and New York City.    

     Grace's passion for giving back to the community is demonstrated both by her role on myriad non-profit Boards and by her personal and corporate support of the non-profit community.     

     A past trustee of the Marin Community Foundation, Ms. Hughes most recently has become involved with organizations and task forces devoted to community health, such as the Marin Community Clinic.  Grace also serves as co-chair of the Large Employer's Task Force on Work-force Housing.  And last but not least, she's proud of her 15-year record of "Bowling for Kids," even though she has never broken 50!

DR. MILLIE HUGHES-FULFORD
Science
1993 

     Millie Hughes-Fulford, Marin's first astronaut, orbited space for nine days in June 1991 as a payload specialist aboard NASA's first Spacelab mission dedicated to biomedical studies.  The SLS-1 mission flew over 3.8 million miles, 140 orbits and its crew completed over 18 experiments during a 9 day period bringing back more medical data than any previous NASA flight.     

     Dr. Hughes-Fulford's work helped to prepare future crews for long stays in space, whether on a permanent space station, staffing an outpost on the moon or flying years-long missions to Mars.  It also helped provide insight into medical disorders on earth, including hypertension, bone disease and heart failure.     

     Science has long been Dr. Hughes-Fulford's chosen field of study.  She entered college at age 16 and majored in biology and chemistry, earning her doctorate in chemistry.  Selected by NASA in 1983, she spent seven years training for the space flight, all the while continuing her career as a biochemist directing cellular research at the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in San Francisco.      

     Following the Spacelab mission, she served as Scientific Advisor to the Under Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs for 3 years.  Today, as a Professor at the University of California Medical Center at San Francisco, in addition to her duties with the VA, Dr. Hughes-Fulford continues as a principal medical investigator for a number of projects, including the study of cancer with the VA and the regulation of bone growth with NASA.

Read the extended biography by Connie Karczewsk