photo by Hulleah

Ramona Bennett, Puyallup.  Ramona is the founder & Director of Rainbow Youth & Family Services and former chairwoman of the Puyallup tribe. Ramona has supported and empowered Native families for over 30 years. In 1972, Ramona founded the Local Indian Child Welfare Act Committee with Jim Anderson. They established and implemented the model currently in use by Washington state. Ramona had the pleasure of presenting the model to the National Indian Organizations who used the Washington State Codes for the formation of the Indian Child Welfare Act.

In 2003, Ramona was presented with the Enduring Spirit Award by the Native Action Network.  The Enduring Spirit Award is awarded to Native women who commit their time, energy, and volunteerism to contribute to healthy communities, whether it be issues pertaining to the environment, education, youth and family, holistical health (mind, body, spirit), continuation and retention of culture, preservation of treaty rights, sacred sites, or economic empowerment.