A special program paying tribute to Louise Shadduck – “Remembering Louise” – will be held in the Community Room of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave., on Friday, Oct. 9 at 4 p.m.  Sandy Patano will serve as master of ceremonies.

Louise, who died in May 2008 at 92, was a pioneer for women in politics who spent more than half a century working with state and national leaders. 

Shadduck was an early and vocal champion of the need for a new public library in Coeur d’Alene, and served as Honorary Campaign Chair during the major fund-raising efforts prior to construction. 

To honor Louise’s contribution toward the effort to build the new facility, the “Shadduck Legacy Wall” was created and installed in the Community Room adjacent to the Heritage Wall, which is a pictorial display of the history of our community. S. Joseph Sharnetsky, created both pieces as well as the accompanying information on the computer kiosk. The Shadduck Legacy Wall includes 10 stone plaques to recognize families, organizations or businesses who wish to contribute to the library and its services for future generations.    

Currently, three of these limited spaces have been secured with contributions of $10,000 by the William Morrow family, Idaho Forest Industries, and the Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library. 

“This is a very special way to support the broad range of programs and activities that the library offers all members of our community and to honor the memory of one of our great citizen-treasures,” said Ruth Pratt, Executive Director of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Foundation. 

“Remembering Louise” will feature a pictorial retrospective of her life as well as filmed and live presentations by a wide variety of people from all over the state including dignitaries, family and friends. As with all other programs offered at the library, it is open to everyone at no charge. 

Shadduck began her career as a reporter and columnist for the Coeur d’Alene Press in the 1930s and was also a correspondent for The Spokesman-Review. Assigned to cover the national Republican convention in Chicago in 1944, she soon moved into politics, serving on the staffs of several Idaho Republicans, including Idaho Govs. Len Jordan and Charles A. Robins, Sen. Henry C. Dworshak and U.S. Rep. Orval Hansen.

She was appointed Idaho State Secretary of Commerce and Development in 1958 – the first woman in the country to hold that position. She was also an executive director of the Idaho Forest Industry Council and received an honorary law degree from the University of Idaho in 1969. She was president of Idaho Press Women in 1966 and served as president of the National Federation of Press Women from 1971 to 1973.

A prolific writer of history, Shadduck’s books include “Andy Little, Idaho Sheep King,” “Doctors with Buggies, Snowshoes and Planes: 100 Years and More of Idaho Medicine,” “At the Edge of the Ice: Where Coeur d’Alene and its People Meet” and “Idaho Rodeo!” Her last book, still unpublished, is about architect and hotelier Victor Dessert.

In 1998, a new, $1.65 million state building was named after her – a Department of Lands office building in the Coeur d’Alene Industrial Park.

In 2000, Shadduck was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in the Humanities award by the Idaho Humanities Council, which called her a “beloved and tireless public citizen” whose books made Idaho history accessible.

More news about the library and otehr departments of the City of Coeur d'Alene is available online at http://cdacity.blogspot.com/.