Kodiak Mayor Pat Branson to be inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame

Kodiak Mayor Pat Branson will be inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame this fall; it’s one of two honors the mayor was notified she’d be the recipient of earlier this week.

Branson came to Kodiak 40 years ago – and she’s lived on the island ever since. She has served as the executive director of Kodiak’s Senior Center for more than 30 years, and as Kodiak’s mayor since 2011. She also is a past president of the Alaska Municipal League. And this fall, she’ll be one of ten inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame as a member of its Class of 2022.

“I’m very humbled and honored, and I think that you give back to a community it only benefits you personally, and you gain from that,” said Branson.

Branson is following in big footsteps – Kodiak’s last mayor, Carolyn Floyd, was also inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame. Branson was the one who nominated her. 

Branson  she knew she had been nominated by her goddaughter, but Tuesday’s letter saying she was an inductee still was a surprise – and it came on the same day as word of another honor.

“And I also received a notice that I will receive the Rabinowitz Public Service Award for 2022,” said Branson.

That’s the Justice Jay Rabinowitz Public Service Award from the Alaska Bar Association. She was nominated by Kodiak City Councilmember Charlie Davidson.

That award will be presented at the Alaska Bar’s conference in Anchorage later this fall. This year’s induction ceremony for the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame will be held virtually on Alaska Day on October 18. It will be livestreamed on the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame website.