Honoring Helen Sanders with Women in American History Award 

Shirley Stirling

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As our nation approaches its semiquincentennial — the 250th anniversary of the United States — it is especially meaningful to recognize individuals whose contributions have shaped communities and strengthened the fabric of our shared history.

The Women in American History Award, presented by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), is awarded only when an individual’s impact is truly exceptional — marked by leadership, service and lasting significance. 

This year, Helen Sanders of the Chehalis Tribe, formerly known as Helen Mitchell, is being honored with this national distinction. 

Helen, now age 97, played a pivotal role in securing a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision, United States v. Mitchell (1983), which established the federal government’s accountability in managing tribal lands and resources.

As the native woman who owned a logging company on the Quinault Reservation, she saw devastating damage to Native forests and sought remedy. Her efforts have improved the well-being of tribal communities and set a precedent that continues to influence indigenous rights and policy today. This decision has since been cited in thousands of cases.            

Helen Sanders helped protect the rights of Native landholders and brought lasting change to the law. Her work not only improved tribal lands and the lives of Native people, but also strengthened the greater environment and, in turn, the well-being of all communities.

Her legacy exemplifies the very spirit of the Women in American History Award and is further strengthened by her family’s history and legacy. Her ancestors range from Chief Quiemuth (KWEE-mooth), who was murdered in the governor’s mansion, his half-brother Chief Leshi who was wrongly executed, and early settler Judge Sidney Ford (Ford’s Prairie-Centralia), a signer at the Monticello Convention proposing the forming of Washington Territory out of Oregon Territory.

Interestingly, Sidney Ford traveled the Oregon and Cowlitz trails, arriving in the local area with a group that included Joseph Borst, later of the Borst Home Museum.)

“I’m not ashamed of my white ancestors!” Helen quipped with a laugh.

She proudly lives on the Chehalis Reservation, on the land on which she was born. 

Sandra Crowell, Helen’s biographer, will also be recognized with a Community Service Award for her volunteer efforts to document and share Helen’s remarkable story in 'The Ravaged Forest, A Native Women’s Journey to Justice,' by Sandra A. Crowell. 

Academy ceremony program

Saturday, Aug. 9, 2 p.m., at the Historic Church at the Historic Borst Home property in Borst Park, 2020 Borst Ave. in Centralia.

Open house

Saturday, Aug. 9, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Historic Borst Home Museum and grounds in Centralia.

The event is hosted by Borst Volunteers, Robert Gray Chapter DAR, Sacajawea Chapter DAR and the newly organizing Lewis County DAR Chapter. 

For questions, contact Program Coordinator Bev York at piperlady61@gmail.com.