User:Daffodil Bale/Esther Wunnicke

Esther Wunnicke became known as the "Land Lady" of Alaska, she was a defender of rights: of Human Rights, and of Land Rights. She was dedicated to Alaska and her public service career. Her path was not that of a single track, but one of many, that lead her to Alaska and the legacy she left.

Early life
Esther was born in Kline, CO, raised in Aztec, NM. She came from a long line of pioneer women, women who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their men, shared the same kinds of work, adversities and challenges, they stood by each other. Esther's mother was no exception, she had the same expectations out of Esther, to make her own judgments and decisions as teen growing up. Her mother instilled a strong sense of independence and accountability. Esther didn't pursue college right after high school, instead she spent a year going through a business course and worked with the Office of Price Administration during WWII. She then pursued her B.A. in English and Political Science, and a J.D. from George Washington University where she proudly served as the editor of the George Washington Law Review.

Adult Life
After returning to New Mexico after her graduation at George Washington University, Esther had worked in private practice for a few years, and then went on to obtain her Masters in Education at Adams State College and was an instructor while in the program. Her journey to Alaska began in 1963 with her husband, and their two children. While in Alaska Esther held the position of Attorney Advisor to the Federal Field Committee 1967-71, later was the Assistant Attorney General, was on the House Finance Committee for the Alaska Legislature, in 1977 she was appointed to to the Federal-State Land Planning Commission. the land planning committee was formed shortly after the 1964 earthquake. Esther went on to serve as the head of the Outer Continental Shelf Office of minerals and management services, with her final position within the Department of Natural Resources. this is where she earned her title "The Land Lady of Alaska".

After officially retiring from her public service office she continued on her work within the Human Rights, the Oil Spill Commission, Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Research Center, Beans Cafe and as chair and co-founder of Alaska Common Ground.

ANCSA-Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
After the Federal Planning committee was formed, it became apparent that the Native Claims being filed would need to be resolved. In response to those claims Esther Co-Authored the document "Alaska Natives and the Land" along with the staff of the federal field committee, which included Bob Arnold, and Dave Hickock. The purpose of this document was to assist Alaska Congress in understanding the vital role that Alaska Natives held in the State.

Legacy

 * South-Central Timber Development, Inc. v. Wunnicke
 * In September of 1980 this was was brought to the Supreme Court as the state was putting a notice of sale on State owned Timber and was putting a provision within there that if the Timber were to be purchased there was a requirement for In-State processing of the timber.
 * Alaska Conservation Foundation
 * Alaska Common Ground
 * Upon retirement Esther Co-Founded Alaska Common Ground a public policy group with the following mission: "to collect and disseminate information on Alaska public issues and problems, to facilitate discussion of them, to seek consensus on them, to develop solutions and encourage their adoption and implementation in order to improve Alaskans’ understanding of public policy issues and opportunities with the goal of furthering a just society and sustainable democracy, and for any other purpose for which nonprofit corporations may be organized under Alaska law."

Awards and Honors

 * Inducted into the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame Class of 2009
 * 2014 Honoree Honor Hall Aztec Municipal School District
 * Order of the Coif
 * National Public Service and Meritorious Service Awards
 * Public Administrator of the Year
 * Denali Award
 * Honorary Degree in Public Policy from University of Alaska