Karlyn Rapport, 91, became the first person to win the Evergreen Award of Marquette County twice, according to WLUC.
The longtime Marquette advocate was named the 2026 recipient, WLUC reported Oct. 19. She first received the honor in 2007.
The award recognizes people who help women and girls develop as leaders while demonstrating professional or volunteer achievement and community service, according to the Lake Superior Community Partnership.
Holly Jackson, chair of the Evergreen Award Committee of Marquette County, told WLUC that Rapport’s work since her first award warranted another recognition. Jackson cited her founding of Reproductive Health Resources, continued advocacy and involvement in civic engagement and the League of Women Voters.
The organization’s website provides information about reproductive health services and providers in the Upper Peninsula.
Rapport moved to Marquette in 1958 and worked as a clinical speech pathologist in the Marquette and Ishpeming public school systems, according to a March 13 Women’s Center spotlight post. She and Sarah McClellan developed the rehabilitation program at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Her clinical work helped draw her into domestic violence advocacy. In the Women’s Center account, Rapport recalled treating people whose brain injuries resulted from domestic violence and recognizing that survivors lacked a safe shelter.
She became involved in the Spouse Abuse Shelter Project and helped train community response teams to support survivors, according to the post.
Rapport was serving on the Women’s Center Finance Committee as of March. She also serves on the Marquette County Board of Health, according to the county’s 2026 roster.
Pam Christensen, the 2025 Evergreen Award recipient, told WLUC that Rapport’s community impact makes her a role model for others.
Rapport said access to medical care motivates her continued work.
“At 91, it gives me purpose,” she told WLUC.
WLUC reported that Rapport is preparing to announce the next Evergreen Award recipient in October 2027.
