Grand Traverse County native Huldah Neal was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame Nov. 5 during the 2026 induction ceremony celebration at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms.
Neal was the nation's first woman to be appointed as a game warden, right here in Michigan. Born Huldah Jane Valleau in 1855 in Ohio, just six years later she and her family moved to Grand Traverse County, where she lived for 70 years.
"It's an honor to see the continuing recognition of Huldah Neal and the impact she made in Michigan and our society, nearly 130 years after her appointment as the first woman game warden in the United States," said Brandon Kieft, chief of the DNR Law Enforcement Division.
In 1872, she married Warren Neal, who shared her passion for the outdoors. The couple raised their two children on their farm near Long Lake.
Neal had little patience when problems were ignored and did not tolerate poaching. Not happy with the rampant, illegal taking of fish and game in the area and wanting to take matters into her own hands, she requested her own appointment as a game warden.
In May 1897, the chief game warden and incoming state governor Chase Osborn appointed Neal as a deputy game warden. In addition to her expert fish and game knowledge, Neal's firearm handling skills and ability to row boats, ride horses and trudge through the woods made her a highly qualified candidate — and she enjoyed all of it.
A local newspaper of the time stated, "Mrs. Neal will wage an aggressive campaign against violators of the law; and offenders in her locality will find that Mrs. Neal will stand no fooling."
Deputy Warden Neal was an energetic trailblazer who was immediately credited for helping to reduce poaching in Grand Traverse County. During her first month on the job, the department reported 109 fish and game prosecutions — the majority attributed to Neal.
Huldah Neal passed away in 1931. She is remembered as a "loved pioneer" and "highly esteemed by a large circle of friends," and for her excellent job qualifications, including her passion for and knowledge of the woods and her skillful firearm handling.
She set the path for generations of women to come, including the 20 women who today serve as Michigan conservation officers.
Questions? Contact Katie Gervasi at 517-290-0679.
Note: The sketch above accompanied a profile of Huldah Neal in the Aug. 15, 1897, edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The caption read: "Mrs. Warren Neal and her odd position as a new woman."