If longevity reflects grace and integrity, it's no wonder Arliss Sturgulewski has reached 90.
Alaska's elder stateswoman turns 90 on Wednesday, Sept. 27, and a happy birthday to her.
For many years, she has given her gifts to Anchorage and Alaska – as a politician, economist and overall civic leader. She has been twice a Republican candidate for governor, spent 14 years in the Alaska Legislature and was one of the founders of the modern municipality of Anchorage.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/adn/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/26091306/Arliss-Sturgulewski.jpg)
In all of this, she served with honesty, humor and humanity. She sought to do right by her fellow Alaskans, and "across the aisle" wasn't a long reach for her.
Light the birthday candles Wednesday for Arliss Sturgulewski; Alaska and the nation could use more like her.
Frank Gerjevic is the opinion pages editor for Alaska Dispatch News. There will be a celebratory cake and coffee for Arliss Sturgulewski at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Anchorage Senior Center, 1300 East 19th Ave.