Peta Williams Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established in memory of longtime Traverse City resident Peta Williams, an environmentalist, gardener, pianist and community volunteer. Her husband, C. Robert Williams, initiated the scholarship at the time of her death in 1997. A Detroit native who earned both bachelor"s and master"s degrees, Mrs. Williams moved to Traverse City in 1960 with her husband C. Robert Williams, M.D. She raised two children and dedicated her time to many community causes, particularly those benefiting the environment. Mrs. Williams organized the first Boardman River canoe trip and cleanup, served on the Citizen"s Advisory Committee for the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, chaired the Michigan chapter of the Nature Conservancy, and was appointed by Gov. William Milliken to the Michigan Environmental Review Board.

Peta Williams moved to Traverse City in 1960. She was described as vibrant, articulate, gracious, and tenacious woman who loved the outdoors. She was passionate about preserving the world in which we live and was credited with working for land preservation before land conservancies ever existed here in Northern Michigan. Peta worked on efforts to preserve lakes, protect the wilderness, and increase community consciousness about the need to take care of its beautiful natural environment. Peta served as chairwoman of the Michigan chapter of the Nature Conservancy and was appointed by Govenor William Milliken to the Michigan Environmental Review Board.

Faced with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, Peta began to pull back from her public service and political activism, but her work lived on in the people she had inspired. The Peta Williams Memorial Scholarship was established in 2002 by her husband, Dr. C. Robert Williams with the intent to continue inspiring others to protect and preserve this beautiful world in which we live.