Building on the Past: A Journey Into the Heart of Oregon’s Activism
by Meagan Golec, Major Gifts Officer
When I was hired at OEC three years ago, I had a lot of nonprofit experience but had never worked in the environmental sphere. I came equipped with a deep love and appreciation for wild spaces, and a strong belief that we need a healthy environment to thrive. I knew that Oregon was considered an environmental leader in the United States. Still, I was unaware of the deep history of activism in the state – especially the early leaders who worked hard to ensure our environment had representation.
Larry Williams
Early on, I spent much of my time on the phone with long-term members, just to get to know them better and learn about their interests and priorities. I often asked folks how they first became involved with OEC, and one name kept coming up over and over: Larry Williams.
Two years after OEC was formed, Larry Williams became the organization’s first executive director (and one of two staffers). In his time at the helm, OEC helped pass formative legislation to protect Oregon’s environment including: the bottle bill to make cans and bottles refundable, the bike bill to publicly fund bike lanes across the state, and the establishment of the Hells Canyon Recreation area. I learned about Larry’s dedication and commitment to the idea that ordinary citizens could come together around a common goal and make real change. Many members cite Larry’s early work focusing on land conservation as the catalyst for their advocacy work.
Maradel Gale
Through my time at OEC, other names have also risen – again and again. Early in my tenure, I had the honor to speak with Maradel Gale who in 1968 was elected the first president of OEC, and to sit in on an interview with Maggie Collins to mark the 50th anniversary of Oregon’s bottle bill. As a lobbyist for OEC, in 1973 Maggie was instrumental in passing Oregon’s monumental land use planning law.
While learning about the dedication and tenacity of these early OEC members’ in fighting for solutions to improve the lives of Oregonians, I was struck by the thought that I am one of those Oregonians – benefitting from the early work of Maggie, Maradel, Larry and their fellow advocates. All of them were fighting to make Oregon better for me and my family, even though I had not yet been born.
Maggie Collins
I feel a deep sense of awe and connection when I think about the continuum we find ourselves on. Today, my family and I benefit from the work of those who cared deeply about the future of this place. I like to think that the work we do today will benefit my friends, family, and colleagues who live here today, as well as future Oregonians I will never meet.
I no longer take for granted the environmental protections that help make Oregon so wonderful. I have had the privilege of meeting a handful of those early members who fought so hard to protect this place for all of us, and I am deeply grateful for their early leadership and honored to be part of the movement today, knowing that today’s work will protect my son’s unborn children, and generations to follow. Thank you for doing your part in continuing OEC’s legacy and protecting Oregon’s environment.
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