2023 Hall of Fame Inductees
The Franklin Alumni Association & Foundation is pleased to announce the 2023 Hall of Fame inductees. The Franklin Hall of Fame was established in 1992. Additional inductions took place in 1998, 2001, 2004. Since 2013 they have taken place at the spring annual meeting and Hall of Fame Celebration. More information on the Hall of Fame here.
Tickets are now on sale for the Hall of Fame Annual Dinner
May 18, 2023
Museum of Flight
$100
More information and tickets here.
GARRY OWENS, (1945 - 2022) CLASS OF 1963
Owens was born in the Chinatown International District, and his roots in the diverse neighborhood informed his approach to multiracial organizing and coalition building. At Franklin, he became involved in the Seattle chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality, or CORE. He was drafted into the Army and returned to Seattle in 1967 to attend the University of Washington. In 1968, he became an early member of the Seattle chapter of the Black Panther Party.
For more than 50 years, Garry Owens provided a quiet brand of social justice leadership. There are few people in the Seattle progressive movement who did not know who he was. “He was not one of these prima donnas who say, ‘No, I won’t set up the chairs.’ He would do whatever it took. And you could just simply count on him.”“Garry was deeply committed to social justice. He just sweated social justice, there was nothing beneath him.” (Bill Fletcher, Jr.)
While Owens had his own strong views, he deeply listened to others and respected their perspective. “He wouldn’t look down on people. And he wasn’t judgmental. That’s why he was able to be a good mentor,” Fletcher said. Owens’ care for young people extended throughout his life and work.
Owens spent many years as a board member leading LELO, formerly the Labor and Employment Law Office, a labor-rights organization founded explicitly as a cross-racial organization to fight for racial and economic justice. Later, Owens became a manager with the city’s Neighborhood Matching Fund, which supported community organizations with funding for specific projects.
ROBERT NELLAMS, CLASS OF 1974
Robert Nellams has directed Seattle Center since his mayoral appointment in 2006. He is the longest serving department head in the City of Seattle. Robert began his 40-year career with the City of Seattle as an accountant in the Department of Administrative Services. He left a position as Finance/Budget Manager at the Department of Administrative Services to serve as Deputy Director of Seattle Center from 1998 and Director of Patron Services, 1996-1997.
Robert considers Seattle Center to be the heart and soul of our community. With a firm grasp of both the business and bureaucracy of the City department he heads, he focuses on building the capacity of Seattle Center to delight and inspire the human spirit in ways that strengthen communities. During his time as Director, Robert has negotiated homes at Seattle Center for many organizations that contribute significantly to the livability and economy of the region through the performing arts, family activities, free public programming, and professional and collegiate sports. He has welcomed the WNBA to KeyArena, Chihuly Garden and Glass and Artists at Play playground to the former Fun Forest areas and Seattle International Film Festival, KEXP, Cornish College of the Arts and PrideFest onto the grounds. Robert was at the heart of multi-departmental efforts on behalf of the city to negotiate and finalize an agreement with Oak View Group to redevelop and operate KeyArena (now Climate Pledge Arena) and remains closely involved as he aligns City and OVG efforts to successfully integrate the new arena into the Seattle Center campus. He has also led efforts to bring Seattle/King County Clinic to Seattle Center. In its first five years, the four-day dental, vision and medical clinic served 19,950 patients to a broad range of free healthcare services. Robert is also active in supporting the rich and vibrant cultural festival series Festal, celebrating the rich vibrant cultures of our community.
Robert is a member of the Board of Directors for The Northwest African American Museum and was recently elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Central Washington University (he previously served as Chair of the CWU Foundation Board). He is also a member of the Royal Esquire Club, a social club of African American men in southeast Seattle and The Breakfast Group, a Seattle-based non-profit service organization devoted to mentoring African American and other low-income and at-risk male youth of color. A native of Seattle and graduate of Franklin High School, Robert holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Central Washington University.
BETTY LAU, CLASS OF 1965
Betty is a strong advocate for racial and social justice, and continues her support of immigrant and refugee youth even in retirement. Betty has an amazing body of work in both education and as a community leader for over 50 years: 1). Community grant writer and activist; 2). Founder (2007 – present) of an innovative training and certification program producing; and, 3). certified
teachers and instructional assistants for the public-school classroom (serving immigrant people of color; and, 4). Educator and English as a Second Language/English Learner Department Chair including 2004-2015 at Franklin HS.