Ventura County Star - Gretchen Wyler's Passion Will Live On

Op-Ed

By Elton Gallegly

With the death of Gretchen Wyler on May 27, America has lost a true original of the stage. A singer, dancer and actress whose career spanned more than 50 years, Gretchen starred in such Broadway hits as "Guys and Dolls," "Silk Stockings" and "Bye Bye Birdie."

However, I remember her not as an actress but as a neighbor and friend and someone who devoted her life to protecting animals. Gretchen, who lived in Camarillo, had given her time and energy to this cause since the 1960s, long before animal rights was a popular cause.

In the 1970s, Gretchen became the first woman to serve on the board of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. She was a member of the board for the Fund for Animals and was vice chairwoman until 1991.

Later, she founded the Ark Trust, an animal rights organization that eventually merged with the Humane Society of the United States.

Perhaps her most innovative project was the establishment of the Genesis Awards, which honor works from the motion pictures, television and print media and which convey the message that animals should be treated with respect and compassion.

It was fitting that earlier this year, Gretchen was honored for her devotion to animal welfare at the Genesis Awards gala and an award was established in her name. Paul McCartney was the first recipient of the Wyler Award.

My experiences with Gretchen began when she met with me back in 1999 to lend her support to a bill I had introduced that would ban the sale of videos or photographs that depict illegal acts of animal cruelty. She proved a passionate advocate for this legislation that, with her help, passed both houses of Congress and was signed into law.

She also worked tirelessly on behalf of measures to prohibit the inhumane slaughter of horses, the banning of steel-jawed leghold traps and a new law that makes animal fighting a federal felony. Gretchen not only worked to pass laws in Congress, but also worked in California for the passage of ballot initiatives to further the rights of animals.

Gretchen was the best type of advocate. She was articulate, energetic and well-informed. You knew where Gretchen stood on an issue and she was ready to roll up her sleeves and navigate the political process to achieve her goals.

She never gave up and although she was a former Broadway star, she never sought the limelight. All she cared about was protecting animals from cruelty.

Gretchen is no longer with us, but her love of life and her love of animals will be long remembered.

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