Dozens of people representing local organizations celebrated the philanthropy and volunteerism of Joe Howell and Elisabeth Fowler Wednesday as they were honored as the Santa Barbara Foundation’s 80th Persons of the Year.
The first Persons of the Year awards honored Harold Chase in 1942 and Pearl Chase in 1956, with the award being known at the time as Man and Woman of the Year.
Each year, the award recognizes people nominated by community members for “their history of extraordinary service that represents a meaningful commitment to the community, addresses a real community need or enhances quality of life for a wide swath of the Santa Barbara-area community,” the Santa Barbara Foundation said.
Past recipients of the award includes last year’s honorees, Ginger Salazar and Katina Zaninovich, as well as John Daly, Judy Stapelmann, Ed Birch, Vicki Hazard, Peter MacDougall, Michael and Marni Cooney, Anne Smith Towbes, Patricia MacFarlane, Gerd Jordano, and many more who can be found here.
Howell, co-founder of Howell Moore & Gough, LLP: HMG Law, has served the Santa Barbara-area community for 50 years, with “nearly a quarter century” of service on the County Board of Education, over two decades supporting Partners in Education and Computers for Families, and serving as a member of the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table and Santa Barbara Athletic Association.
“Joe is the epitome of community,” said Partners in Education Executive Director Chelsea Duffy, who nominated Howell.
“What stands out most to me about Joe is how he goes about his service to others. His daily interactions with others show me that he cares just as much about how he makes others feel throughout the process as he does the cause. As a result, his approach to helping is just as impactful as the goals he helps people and organizations reach.”
Howell has also encouraged several runners and triathletes of all ages, and Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido said he also writes personal letters to every high school student graduating from the county education-operated juvenile court and community schools.
“This award is not just about me,” Howell said. “I think I’m the lucky proxy, the person who gets to stand up here and get the award, but I truly represent all of these organizations in which I’ve had the pleasure of being a part.”
Fowler has also been involved with a long list of local organizations. She began serving on the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History’s Board of Trustees in 2008, and served as the chair from 2014 to 2016.
Her other service and volunteering endeavors in the community include serving through Laguna Blanca School, CALM, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the White Buffalo Land Trust, Direct Relief, Freedom for Youth, and a Honduras-based HIV/AIDS health care program.
Fowler also supported the Partnership for Resilient Communities with its installation of steel debris nets in Montecito after the 2018 debris flows.
“The greatest gift Elisabeth has given the (Museum of Natural History) year after year is the gift of her keen intellect and unflagging passion for our mission,” said nominator Luke Swetland, president and CEO of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.
“To have Elisabeth on your board is to have a civic leader who never mails it in. She is always prepared and thoughtfully engages in every discussion.”
While Fowler was unable to attend Wednesday’s luncheon, her son accepted the award on her behalf.
“I see how hard she works in her daily life to help others and serve the communities around her,” Wells Fowler said. “Although she doesn’t do it for any sort of recognition, this award means a lot to her.”
More information on the Person of the Year award and the nomination and selection process can be found on the Santa Barbara Foundation’s website here.
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