LYNNWOOD — Too often we doubt the power of one. What difference can I make? Who will listen to me?
We forget how much power is in the hands and heart of one person with vision.
Louise Marshall of Lynnwood was such a person who, while she may have asked herself the same questions, didn’t have time to get dragged down by them.
Every year, thousands of volunteer hours are at the heart of many miles of rebuilt trails in Washington state, under the aegis of Washington Trails Association.
Marshall, who founded the organization in 1966, made sure it had a good foundation. Now it’s the largest state-based advocacy organization for hikers in the U.S.
Marshall, 90, died of natural causes Aug. 24 at her Lynnwood home. Family, friends and colleagues remembered Marshall and her accomplishments during a memorial service at REI on Saturday, Sept. 24.
For the last four decades, she’s been a national leader in the hiking movement. She co-founded the American Hiking Society, the only national voice for hikers.
Gregory Miller, American Hiking Society president, called her “a legend in the hiking community.”
Marshall wrote what is viewed as the first Northwest hiking book, “100 Hikes in Western Washington,” topping the best-seller list in Seattle for eight weeks and causing The Mountaineers to keep printing more.
She created the first Northwest hiking magazine, “Signpost,” in 1966, turning her home into an editorial office. It’s now published by the Washington Trails Association as “Washington Trails.”
“Louise’s legacy is not just in the amazing contributions she made to trails, but in the way she made them,” said Elizabeth Lunney, executive director of Washington Trails Association.
“She really knew the issues that impacted hikers. She spoke her mind. She brought people together. Her actions made a difference, and they inspire us as trail activists today.”
Marshall also was REI’s first female board member, and she served 18 years.
While Marshall worked on the state and national level, she also worked close to home. She lived in Lynnwood for 53 years, dedicating much energy to parks and open-space issues.
She sold the Marshall property to the city, which converted it into Spruce Park.
“My mother taught by action and example,” said her daughter, Ann Marshall. “Her example was that there are no limits to what you can do. Put your mind to it and you can get it done.”
Action, in her mother’s case, meant lobbying Congress for trail funding, and organizing protests, one of which led to Kennecott Copper Co. canceling plans for an open pit mine at Image Lake near Glacier Peak.
“She was what good politicians used to be — a tireless and selfless worker for the good of the community. She was a uniquely strong woman who was at once a devil’s advocate, a watchdog, a mentor, a collaborator and an adviser,” said Bernie Smith, retired U.S. Forest Service ranger.
At 70, Louise Marshall took on the role of director of the Pacific Crest Trails Association, continuing to find answers to challenges.
And even a few months ago, when asked for words of wisdom to pass on to the next generation of hikers, she had an answer.
“Get organized. Most hikers are not joiners, but we need to be united behind a movement to be heard,” Marshall said.
If she were in her prime today, it’s a good bet that she would be running a Web site, raising awareness through a Web log and maintaining a huge e-mail list.
She wouldn’t have had time to ponder the questions asked at the top of this column. That’s the lesson for us.
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