Polly Anderson, one of the first women in the country to lead a state wildlife federation and the Mississippi Wildlife Federation’s first female chief executive, was a giant in the conservation sector and left an indelible mark on Mississippi’s wildlife, hunting and fishing communities, and parks. Anderson, who passed away on March 1, led the Mississippi Wildlife Federation in many conservation battles. She was at its helm for the first test case of the Endangered Species Act in 1973 that ended in the Supreme Court, with the MWF winning the case.

“Polly was a pioneering leader and conservationist who was an unrelenting champion for Mississippi’s wildlife, hunting and fishing communities, and the outdoors. She truly put the ‘wild’ in the Mississippi Wildlife Federation and inspired everyone she worked with to get outside and protect our wildlife heritage for future generations. She will be missed, but her work and vision live on in the Mississippi Wildlife Federation and everyone she touched,” notes Elizabeth Barber, member of the MWF Board of Directors, Executive Committee and past executive director.

Here is the link to her obituary.