LA-ICO leader Shirley Hickman wins national Sierra Club award

Chapter Chair Carole Mintzer, left; national board member Susana Reyes; Sierra Club executive director Michael Brune; honoree and ICO leader Shirley Hickman (center); leader Melody Anderson; and Chapter Vice Chair David Haake.

Angeles Chapter member Shirley Hickman of Los Angeles was presented with the Madelyn Pyeatt Award from national Sierra Club for her 25 years of work with the Chapter’s Inspiring Connections Outdoors (LA ICO) program for 25 years. Hickman accepted her award Friday at an event at the Club's headquarters in San Francisco.

The program will receive $500 in recognition of Hickman’s award and commitment to taking urban youth into the wilds. During the past quarter century, Shirley has been instrumental to LA ICO's growth and development, as a leader on hikes, through recruiting new leaders and volunteers, and in administrative tasks.  

In Los Angeles, Hickman has served as chair, secretary, volunteer coordinator, co-web master, and fund-raising committee secretary. She was also the Western Regional Representative for National ICO.  
 

Michael Brune gives Shirley Hickman her award on Nov. 21.

Hickman, a former school librarian, started out as an ICO liaison and hike leader for one school. Now she spends about 16 hours a week volunteering for the group—only a third of which is spent on the “fun stuff,” taking kids out.  The other two thirds make it possible for those hikes to happen through logistics and fund-raising.  

She pioneered photography outings with the kids and recently helped organize  a campout on Catalina Island for 75 students. Her enthusiasm is contagious—on trips, in presentations to other groups, and at meetings. Being a retired librarian, she may have an advantage here, but Shirley often finds just the right book to share with young people before or during a hike.  

LA ICO Chair Elizabeth Neat says Hickman has been vital to the group's mission. "If she commits to a task, rest assured it will be accomplished conscientiously well," Neat says.