Viola "Kitty" Harriman - For Adult Service to Mow-A-Toc Lodge

Kitty Harriman. Wow! What can we say? To my knowledge, the first women in the Order of the Arrow. Perhaps her living on the remote California North Coast made it possible. I don't think if she had resided in a metropolitan area her presence would have been tolerated long before someone outed her as a woman in Scouting and the Order of the Arrow during the 60s-70s.

As a full blood member of the Tolowa Tribe...she was something special. When her son became a Cub Scout, she of course registered as a Den Mother. Nothing different about that. But then, at some point Mow-A-Toc lodge's Dance team happened to cross her path at a Scouting event. Well, dance just happened to be something she knew about, from the Native American side of the fence. She couldn't let those scouts just Dance...she had to get in there and show them how to really dance. Her love of dance was infectious and the Dance Team flourished with Kitty becoming an Explorer Post leader as well as Lodge Dance Adviser and Lodge Ceremonies Adviser. Everyone wanted to be a member of this team. She taught them about Native American culture, dances, bead work and costume making. While they were dancing their legs off throughout the Redwood Area Council, it was at Area 12C Conclaves held throughout Northern California and Nevada that she was first noticed by those outside of the Lodge.

The Northcoast of California was a far flung corner of the Area (and later Section) with most trips involved travel of generally 8-12 hours, by School Bus. Getting the Dance Team and the Lodge in general to Conclave was no small feat. But Kitty organized the travel, and of course, the bus was driven by her husband (who was also a Scouter). When the Lodge arrived, usually late Friday night, the conclave could truly begin. Mow-A-Toc was truly a vital part of Conclaves. And everyone flocked to the Dance Competition to see what Mow-A-Toc had come up with that year. Truly dance was elevated and flourished under her guidance and leadership.

During this time, she was an integral part of the lodge. Serving not only as Dance Team adviser, but also as Ceremonies Team Adviser. It was only natural that youth arranged for her to become an Ordeal member and it was with obvious enthusiasm she received the Brotherhood honor just a few years later. In the mid-seventies Kitty was selected by the lodge to receive the Vigil Honor. It would be 15 more years or so before the National program would recognize women as members in the Order.

On the scouting side, in addition to serving as a den mother all those years ago, and later as a Post Adviser, Kitty held the position of Assistant District Commissioner for over 35 years. Truly she changed and enhanced Scouting on the North Coast of California for the better.

Kitty Harriman, a woman before her time, and a Centurion!