Another Bethelite is now in the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame. Linda Curda was inducted into the group on Oct. 19. She was celebrated for her long career in health care education and in supporting Alaska Native song and dance.
Curda first arrived in Bethel in 1972. She worked as a registered nurse and certified midwife. In 1980 she began coordinating training for the Community Health Aide Program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Kuskokwim Campus. In addition to teaching, she also edited and authored workbooks, training material, and curriculum, and helped to secure funding for the health aide program. In 2018 she became the campus’ Acting Director. She held that position through June 2021, navigating state budget cuts and the COVID-19 pandemic during her tenure.
Curda has been a volunteer coordinator for the annual Cama-i Dance Festival in Bethel for three decades since 1990. One of the festival’s favorite dancers was the late Maryann Sundown of Scammon Bay, known as the “Dance Diva.” Sundown and her husband Teddy Sundown adopted Curda into their family.
Curda and her husband have two children and four grandchildren. She was a long-time Bethel Council on the Arts board member, has opened her home to people recovering from surgery, and is an avid fisherwoman.
Past Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta women to be inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame are Reyne Athanas, Dr. Betty Parent, Mary Ciuniq Pete, Beverly Kikikaaq Hoffman, and Marie Mead.
