REFERENCE TITLE: Yvonne Fedderson; death resolution

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HR 2006

Introduced by

Representatives Gress: Austin, Biasiucci, Blackman, Blattman, Bliss, Carbone, Carter P, Cavero, Chaplik, Connolly, Contreras L, Contreras P, Crews, De Los Santos, Diaz, Fink, Garcia, Gillette, Griffin, Gutierrez, Heap, Hendrix, Hernandez A, Hernandez C, Hernandez L, Keshel, Kolodin, Livingston, Lopez, Luna-Nájera, Márquez, Marshall, Martinez, Mathis, Montenegro, Nguyen, Olson, Peña, Peshlakai, Pingerelli, Powell, Rivero, Simacek, Stahl Hamilton, Taylor, Travers, Tsosie, Villegas, Volk, Way, Weninger, Willoughby, Wilmeth

A RESOLUTION

On the death of Yvonne Glee Lime Fedderson.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Yvonne Glee Lime Fedderson passed away on January 23, 2026 at the age of 90. She lived a life defined by courage, compassion and a profound commitment to the protection of children across the globe.

Yvonne Fedderson was born on April 7, 1935 in Glendale, California. She had first captured the hearts of Americans on screen before dedicating her gifts of empathy, leadership and determination to a far greater purpose, serving the most vulnerable children in the world.

Yvonne and her lifelong friend, Sara O'Meara, cofounded the humanitarian organization that would become Childhelp, which has since aided more than 14 million children and families through prevention, intervention, treatment and advocacy programs.

Yvonne's work knew no borders. She helped form and support orphanages, schools and medical facilities for children in need and coordinated major rescue efforts to bring thousands of vulnerable children to safety and stable homes, demonstrating the boundless reach of her compassion.

Yvonne helped establish the first residential treatment village in the United States for abused and severely neglected children, pioneering a healing model that has since inspired national standards for trauma-informed care.

Yvonne helped secure recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, advanced nationwide awareness campaigns and championed major events and initiatives that mobilized the country toward protecting children from harm.

Yvonne cofounded the first national 24-hour toll-free child abuse hotline, later expanding it to include text and chat capabilities, ensuring that help, hope and a listening ear were always available to children and families in crisis.

Yvonne transformed how communities respond to child abuse by opening Childhelp Children's Advocacy Centers in Arizona, Tennessee and beyond. These centers brought together law enforcement, medical providers, child protection officials and advocates in one safe and supportive location, a model now replicated nationwide.

Yvonne introduced the first mobile children's advocacy center in the country, extending services to rural and underserved communities where vulnerable children often had nowhere else to turn.

Yvonne championed groundbreaking prevention education, including launching Childhelp Speak Up, Be Safe, the first evidence-based child abuse prevention curriculum for preschool through grade twelve, empowering generations of children with the tools to recognize unsafe situations and seek help.

Yvonne's extraordinary leadership earned her international recognition, humanitarian awards, national honors and even nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize, yet she accepted each accolade only as a reminder of the work still to be done for children who needed her voice.

Yvonne Glee Lime Fedderson's life's work reflects the highest ideals of service, faith and human dignity, and her legacy lives on in every child saved, every family strengthened and every life touched by the compassion of Childhelp. She will long be remembered as a true humanitarian whose unwavering dedication, vision and love changed the course of child welfare in the United States and around the world.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona:

1. That the Members of the House of Representatives express their profound sympathy to the family, loved ones and countless admirers of Yvonne Glee Lime Fedderson and honor the immeasurable impact of her life.

2. That the Secretary of State transmit copies of this Resolution to the family of Yvonne Glee Lime Fedderson and to Childhelp.