HELEN Louise (Angelo) (Donaldson) NIENHUESER

• Health, Women's
• Hiking
• Author
Inducted: 2010
HELEN Louise (Angelo) (Donaldson) NIENHUESER
Helen was raised in Pennsylvania, received a BA degree from Brown University (Pembroke College) and a MPA from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. She first visited Alaska for a summer job in 1957 and moved permanently to Alaska in 1959, homesteading in Eagle River. She has been a significant player in shaping Alaska. In 1970, she organized a successful statewide grassroots movement to reform Alaska’s abortion law. In 1971, Helen helped establish the Alaska Center for the Environment and served as volunteer staff and board member. As a planner at the Department of Natural Resources, Helen developed procedures for state land selections and land use planning. She has long served as a trustee, including chair, of the Alaska Conservation Foundation. Helen chaired the Governor’s TRAAK Board and has served on the Municipality of Anchorage’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Helen is credited with the creation of the Cuddy Family Midtown Park for her advocacy over twenty-five years.
Helen is undoubtedly best known as the co-author of the pioneering hiking book 55 Ways to the Wilderness in Southcentral Alaska. Now in its fifth edition, this book set the standard for Alaska hiking guides. She received many awards, including those from the Governor, Legislature, Department of Natural Resources, Mayor, Municipality of Anchorage, YWCA (Woman of Achievement) and Mountaineering Club of Alaska. Helen’s commitment to founding and then doing the hard work of our environmental, park and community organizations has made Alaska’s lands, trails and communities all better places.
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