Museum highlights female winners of top citizen awards

On Saturday, a new exhibit featuring female winners of the city’s Covell and Brinley awards will open at the Hattie Weber Museum of Davis in honor of Women’s History Month. The museum is at 445 C St., in the northeast corner of Central Park. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Wednesdays.

Thanks to research by Judy Wydick, the exhibit contains information on 34 female winners of the C.A. Covell Award since 1945 and 27 female winners of the Brinley Plaque. The Covell award, named for “Cal” Covell, honors a Davis Citizen of the Year for contributions to the community in different ways over a period of years. The Brinley Plaque, named for Sam Brinley, honors a person who has made a special contribution in one area for a shorter period. Both men and women are eligible for both awards.

Female Covell winners are Flora McDonald, 1945; Helen B. Perry, 1949; Helen M. Heitman, 1956; Kathryn T. Chiles, 1963; Christine Blanchard, 1969; Kathleen C. Green, 1971; Hanna Bauer with husband Herbert, 1976; Dair Rausch, 1977; Lois Grau with husband Dick, 1978; Betsy Truffini, 1980; Peggy Epstein, 1981; Joyce Wisner, 1982; Barbara Kado, 1983; Judy Wydick, 1985; Camille Lim with then-husband Vic, 1986; Nancy Roe with husband Bill, 1987; Barbara Lindholtz with husband Richard, 1988; and Ruth Asmundson, 1989.

Also, Lea Rosenberg, 1990; Nancy Keltner, 1991; Rachel Hagan with husband Bob, 1992; Cass Sylvia, 1995; Janice Labadie with husband Dean, 1996; Judy Moores, 1999; Donna Lott, 2001; Renee Liston, 2003; Debbie Davis, 2004; Verena Borton with husband Ray, 2005; Betty Berteaux, 2006; Carol Lee Coss, 2007; Mary Philip, 2008; Rosalie Vanderhoef with husband Larry (special), 2008; Shirley A. Goldman, 2009; and Janice Bridge with husband Adam, 2011.

Brinley winners are Joan Larkey, 1969; Kathleen Murphy, 1973; Pat Allen, 1977; Joan Callaway, 1981; Sharon Rose, 1982; Marinka Phaff, 1983; Dorothy Laben, 1984; Anne Hance and Evelyn Buddenhagen, 1987; Mimi Carino Sen, 1990; Pat Williams, 1994; Mary Ellen Dolcini, 1995; Ruth Shumway, 1996; Hannah Biberstein with husband Ernst, 1992; Pat Hutchison, 1998; Jane Pomeroy, 1999; Shirley Kreissman, 2000; Judy Gabor, 2002; Vicki Plutchok, 2003; Kate Mawdsley, 2005; Martha Dickman, 2008; Nancy Crosby and Pat Miller, 2007; Janet S. Berry, 2009; Helen Cole, 2009; Dorothy Peterson, 2010; and Janet Boulware, 2012.

“Individually, the contributions of these women are impressive,” said museum spokeswoman Mary Lee Thomson. “Collectively, as part of a culture of significant volunteer efforts in the community, they are awesome.”

Saturday is also Pig Day at the museum. Dozens of pigs in various sizes and materials will be on display.

Admission is free, but donations are accepted with gratitude. Children are welcome and can play in the toy corner while parents enjoy the exhibits.