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Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Fund for Early Environmental Education
The Garden Club of America’s Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award annually recognizes the outstanding achievements of individuals furthering the early environmental education of children. Established in 1992, the Hull Award provides $1,000 to chosen recipients who honor Miss Hull’s common sense approach to environmental awareness by inspiring children under 16 to appreciate the beauty and fragility of our planet.
Administered by GCA’s Scholarship Committee, the Hull Award is open to GCA members and non-members alike, however individuals may not propose themselves. A woman ahead of her time, Miss Hull (1900 – 1996) was an active member of the Ridgefield Garden Club and credited her mother and grandmother with instilling her own passion for the environment. Members of GCA clubs may propose a candidate. Click here for an application.
The Garden Club of America is pleased to announce the winners of the 2010 Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award for Early Environmental education:
Liz Cutler, Princeton, New Jersey
Founder of the EnAct (Environmental Action) Club at Princeton Day School, Liz is the school’s Director of Sustainability. She spearheaded an initiative to create a curriculum integrating sustainability issues, and led the building of a campus organic garden and adoption of important energy and conservation measures.
Ms. Cutler was proposed by Sophie S. Glovier, Garden Club of Princeton (NJ), Zone IV. Her award was funded by Ridgefield Garden Club (CT), Zone II.
Susan Toth, West Palm Beach, Florida
As Director of Education at the Pine Jog Environmental Education Center for twenty-eight years, Susan has inspired children with her creative programming, such as the recent restoration by children of a native prairie landscape on site. She runs a highly popular, annual “green schools” awards program for Palm Beach County School District.
Ms. Toth was proposed by Ann M. Blades, Garden Club of Palm Beach (FL), Zone VIII. Her award was funded by Millbrook GC (NY), Zone III.
Marie Karanfilian, Englewood, New Jersey
For more than thirty years, Marie has served as a volunteer Trail Guide at Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, where she has shared with thousands of children her love and enthusiasm for wildlife and native plants. An avid birder, Marie makes the natural world accessible and encourages students to do their part to preserve nature.
Ms. Karanfilian was proposed by Kitty Pierson, Garden Club of Englewood (NJ), Zone IV.
Dr. Anita Schumer, Levittown, Pennsylvania
A science teacher at Pollock Elementary School in Philadelphia, Anita led the creation of a garden that is a hands-on learning experience for students and generates produce for a local food program. Recycling, environmental clubs, and concern for animals help make “Earth Day, Every Day” for Anita’s students.
Dr. Schumer was proposed by Wendy Calhoun, The Weeders (PA), Zone V.
Olive Vanselow, Kaneohe, Hawaii
Olive has served for twenty-five years as Program Director at Ho’omaluhia, the largest of five public gardens comprising the Honolulu Botanical Gardens. Through popular programs such as the “Critter Art Contest” and family catch-and-release fishing, Olive has shared her love of Hawaii’s tropical botanical treasures with more than 125,000 students.
Ms. Vanselow was proposed by Anne Swanson, Garden Club of Honolulu (HI), Zone XII.