Nancy N. Russell

Nancy Russell entered the national spotlight in the 1980s when she led a campaign to protect the Columbia River Gorge—a campaign that resulted in the passage of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act. This legislation, spearheaded by Friends of the Columbia Gorge and under the leadership of Russell, marked a new era of federal protection for scenic vistas in the Gorge. Although this 1986 legislation stands as one of her proudest achievements, Russell cautions that efforts to protect wilderness areas from commercial development remain an ongoing struggle. In passing on her legacy of activism to the next generation, Russell points out how legislative victories depend on committed watchdogs and ongoing activism. “Politicians are often followers rather than leaders,” Russell notes, “and this tendency was one of my deepest disappointments with the Gorge campaign. Some of our Oregon political leaders were willing to jump in front of the parade to get credit, but only after they saw the direction that things were moving. I found that you cannot depend on political leaders alone.” 

Russell attributes her success with the Gorge campaign to a combination of passion and persistence—and to her knack for political organizing. “I always liked to win,” Russell states matter-of-factly, “but I also got along well with people.” Russell has many stories of stormy confrontations along the way, particularly in trying to win support from political leaders. “But I put my energy into convincing people to join,” Russell adds. “This was particularly difficult when developers hired consultants to whip up fear among the residents of the Gorge.” 

The middle of three children, Nancy was born in 1932 in Portland, Oregon. Her parents, Robert and Mary Ann Neighbor, fell on hard times during the Depression. But even when the fortunes of the family improved economically, her parents “were not into buying things or building a big showplace.” Nancy attributes some of her deep commitment to protecting scenic land to her disdain for consumerism, which was rooted in some of the values cultivated by her parents during her childhood. She recalls being teased at school for wearing an old, over-sized coat, but finding that clothes—and other trappings of girlhood—were not that important. She proudly remembers being a tomboy: physically strong, intent on climbing trees, and always on the lookout for pick-up baseball games. When her parents were going through tough times, her family often stayed with her grandparents on a Yamhill County farmhouse where she roamed the hills by herself for hours on end. 

A strong student as well as an athlete, Russell won a scholarship to Catlin School in Portland and also to Scripps College in Claremont, California. As a literature major, she honed her skills as a writer—skills that served her well in her later campaigning for the Friends of the Columbia Gorge. After college, Russell worked in a number of jobs that involved clerical work as well, further honing her organizational skills.   

After marrying Bruce Russell, whom she had known since childhood, Nancy gave birth to five children. The third child died before the age of two. Their surviving four children—Sally, Wendy, Aubrey, and Alison—developed a range of creative, professional, and civic interests. Her husband Bruce, who died in 2004, worked as a salesman for Merrill Lynch before starting his own investment management business. Described as a “very intelligent and interesting person,” Nancy credits Bruce for supporting her as a strong-willed woman and savvy campaigner.  

Nancy’s physical and emotional strength were compromised after she developed symptoms associated with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease). “As a young woman, I did not feel the limits that so many other women of my generation experienced,” Nancy recalls, “maybe because I was so athletic.” After developing symptoms, Nancy did confront limits in a profound way. Yet she continues to enjoy life—from enjoying her garden with her grandchildren to long drives in the scenic Gorge. 

Nancy Russell sums up some of the key skills she acquired along the way that she hopes to pass on through her activism and legacy as the Guardian of the Gorge: “Keep your eye on the ball, keep your focus, and keep in the game.” 

Nancy Neighbor Russell is honored by Al and Nancy Jubitz, life-long friends of the family. Al Jubitz describes his reason for honoring her: “We have to honor people who not only have vision—who can see the important things that need to be done—but who also have the courage and persistence to make that vision come true. To me, Nancy is a vivid example of how one person can make a real difference for the betterment of the community and the country.” 

Written by Jan Haaken