At age eleven Helf was actively marching and demonstrating in protest of atomic bomb testing in California. Later as a drama student at University of California, Berkeley where she earned a B.A. in Dramatic Art, she was among the thousands of students who made up the Free Speech Movement and was arrested on December 3, 1964 along with 772 others when they staged a massive sit-in. Her twentieth birthday was spent in custody. Helf proudly displays her diploma from Berkeley that is signed by the newly elected Governor Ronald Reagan.

Fear that her husband could be drafted to fight in Viet Nam, even though he was not a U.S, citizen, brought the young couple to Nelson and in 1976 to Kelowna. She continued her activism and became involved in the anti-uranium movement in 1978 and also spearheaded a neighbourhood association.

In 1981 she auditioned for Theatre Kelowna Society (TKS). Helf scored the leading role as Witch Watt in Sing a Song of Sixpence and discovered the power of transporting an audience into the magical world of make believe. Helf estimates that she has performed 60 roles for TKS since and has won numerous accolades. In the 2007 Okanagan Zone Festival the TKS entry The Memory of Water directed by Don Keith swept the awards and captured best play, best director, best actress, best lighting, with Helf winning best supporting actress for her portrayal of Violet. She has served on the Board of Directors since 1983. Aladdin is planned for the traditional children’s Christmas production which Helf will produce, just one of the many hats she wears in theatre. She says:

“I can do anything except direct. I tried that once with a group of grade sevens and decided it’s not for me.”

A marriage of her two passions, acting and activism came together in 1992 when Helf along with Gayle Stevensen and Michael Griffin undertook what would become a 10 year commitment when they approached the city of Kelowna with the idea of transforming the old Growers Supply Building into an arts centre. The idea took hold. The result of the focus, hard work and dedication by what were initially three people is the Rotary Centre for the Arts.

Another result of that decade is the toll it took on Helf’s health, requiring her to take early retirement. Of retirement, Helf says:

“This is my third act. Now is the time to look at myself, put myself first, take care of myself, and get some peace. Because when you’re in that frenzy of the second act of your life, where you are doing so much, it’s not a peaceful place. There is no serenity about it; it’s a roller coaster ride. That is not to say that I’m not still active and giving to the community but I have more balance and inner peace. I’m enjoying every day.”

October 2007  Donna Duke   Act III