Port Angeles proclaims International Women’s Day and honors retired special agent Sandy Lustig

Mayor Kate Dexter opened the March 3 meeting by proclaiming March 8, 2026 International Women’s Day for the city of Port Angeles and thanking women city employees for their service.

The proclamation praised women’s leadership across city departments and called on the community to recommit to “a peaceful, diverse, equitable, and inclusive community.” Mayor Dexter read the text and closed the proclamation by inviting assembled guests to remain for the regular meeting.

After the proclamation, Chief Smith and representatives from Healthy Families of Clallam County introduced retired National Park Service special agent Sandy Lustig. Chief Smith described Lustig’s decades of service, saying she “oversaw four victim specialists” and worked to professionalize victim assistance across national parks. Sarah McBride of Healthy Families credited Lustig’s local and national work on behalf of crime victims.

Sandy Lustig accepted the recognition and, after brief remarks, the police department presented her with the department’s Police Star award, one of the agency’s highest honors. “Thank you to the city of Port Angeles,” Lustig said, reflecting on her career and ties to the community.

The presentation was followed by council and public appreciation for Lustig’s work on victim services and for the larger proclamation honoring women’s contributions to the city. The council then proceeded with its regular agenda.