Sally Rodgers Award for Lifelong Achievement

The Sally Rodgers Award for Lifelong Achievement, created in 1999 to honor Sally Rodgers, long time director of alumni relations, is given to an individual who graduated from Whitman College over 50 years ago and whose life exemplifies the qualities of a liberal arts education.

The 2024 Sally Rodgers Award Winner, Heather Davies McCarty ’69 

Whitman College is proud to honor Heather Davies McCarty ‘69 with the Sally Rodgers Award for Lifelong Achievement. Heather embodies the lifelong impact of a liberal arts education through her innovative career and tireless advocacy for sustainable fishing practices and indigenous rights in Alaska.

After graduating, Heather's insatiable curiosity and commitment to public service took her on an extraordinary journey. She wore many hats—from teaching English to working as a news reporter and crewmember on her family's salmon seine boat. Her skills and determination were put to the test during the Exxon Valdez oil spill, where she served as the PR director for a major hatchery's response efforts.

For over two decades, Heather has been a relentless voice for Alaska Native people and coastal communities. As a lobbyist and consultant, she has helped secure critical fishing rights and quotas and worked to protect small-boat community fisheries. Her work with the North Pacific Fishery Management Council has been instrumental in promoting sustainable policies that preserve marine ecosystems and traditional livelihoods.

Throughout her multifaceted career, Heather has stayed connected to Whitman, providing invaluable insights and volunteering her time. Her compassion, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to justice make her a deserving role model. Heather’s life's work exemplifies the transformative power of applying a liberal arts education toward positive change in the world.