Helen Young

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Name:	Helen Young
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Helen Young was a Star Trek: TOS fan.

She was a chairperson for the Star Trek Welcommittee, and because of that role, very influential in early Trek fandom.

She, along with D.C. Fontana, Gene Roddenberry, Majel Barrett was a guest of honor at Equicon 1974.

Young passed away in 2000.

About

From a 1977 biography:

HELEN GENE YOUNG, aka "Auntie Matter" (pen name for a story in a children's club zine), [address redacted], March 24, 1933. Aries. [employment info redacted] Helen found fandom in 1972 when she read a TV Guide article on the Mew York con and started to write to every address she could find to learn more about ST fandom. Helen belonged to the Final Frontier ST Club from 1971 to 1974. She is currently the Chairman of the Star Trek Welcommittee. She is one of the editors of A Piece of the Action and has published some of the issues. She has also published some of the printings of the STW Directory of ST Organizations.

Helen was the 1974 Fan Guest of Honor at Equicon, and in 1975 won a spot on the Honors List from the Alien Inquisition for achievement in fandom. Helen also enjoys reading and crewel stitchery.

In 1976, Susan Sackett wrote:

In the United States I've got all the people that are high up in the Welcommittee, like Helen Young, Carole Brownell, Shirley Maiewski, and some of the fans in general around the country that I've just sort of begun corresponding with.

In 2008, a fan includes Young on her:

... impressive list [that] contained the names of such luminaries in fandom as DT Steiner, Connie Faddis, Helen Young, Shirley Maiewski....

The Helen Young Fan Club

Some fans in 1974 in the zine Space-Time Continuum voiced their appreciation for Helen Young in a tongue-in-cheek fan club:

Helen Young Fan Club: Join the ranks of this fast-growing Young organization. The only officially approved unofficial appreciation society for fandom's finest member. Our motto: "Everybody doesn't like something, but nobody doesn't like Helen Young!"

In the next issue of Space-Time Continuum, Young wrote a charming and witty response:

Helen's letter, printed in Space-Time Continuum #7

I received your magazine, Space-Time Continuum (Vol. 5), and taken note of the establishment of the Helen Young Fan Club as announced therein. As you know, it has long been my policy to avoid the authorization of an "official' fan club--the adoration, the constant attention, the veneration....oh, it does grow tiresome, I assure you. We humble and lovable souls try to avoid the limelight whenever possible, you know. In order to prevent the rioting which so often accompanies my appearances, I usually find it necessary to attend events incognito, in my disguise as a fat, middle-age lady!

I must admit that "Fandom's Finest" does have a certain ring to it -- perhaps I'll have it embroidered on my jamies.

Your members will no doubt be interested in my upcoming schedule of public appearances, so they can manage to catch a glimpse of me in the crush;, and even, if among the fortunate ones, touch my hand. And of course then write endless accounts of the thrilling experience for your zine:

May 3 - Wilchester Chester Elementary School Carnival, Houston, TX

May 17 - Orthodontist Office Waiting Room, Houston, TX

May 13 - Cub Scout Annual Picnic and Fertilizer Sale, Bear Creek Park, TX

May 3 - Kay's Diner, Muskogee, OK

June 5 - Mobil Station, Waxahachie, TX

I can picture your joyous delight when I inform you that I have condescended to donate a personal memento to your organization. Mailed under separate cover are none other than my treasured Keds, which you will want to have bronzed and mounted for display at your meetings. They are the very shoes - YES!- that I wore in my fandom debut at ISTC '73...at Equicon '73...Vul-Con 1...Star-Con 1... the self-same Keds that were trampled at ISTC '74... that adorned my feet when I gaily tripped to the stage of Equicon '74 to receive the "Fan Guest of Honor" ribbon and make such a witty, clever, and charming acceptance speech...AND!!! (the Ultimate Thrill of Thrills when David Gerrold kissed me!!!

It is not necessary to send me your pledges of eternal gratitude for my gift — I am famous for these thoughtful and generous gestures. Unlike many famous folk, I do not allow fame and acclaim to swell my head! I will remain the same unspoiled and modest person you have all come to know and admire, and rest assured I will support your appreciation society to the extent of tossing you an occasional crumb. Be faithful, my loyal minions!

Sweetly, the incomparable Helen Young.

1974 Fan Guest of Honor at Equicon

From a con report for Equicon '74 by Helen:

At the first afternoon's Introduction of Notables and Keynote Speech by Guest of Honor, Dorothy C. Fontana, Dorothy announced a surprise quest of honor—who was none other than me! And let me tell you, it was a total surprise — frankly, I was stunned! Dorothy said many very nice things about me, and I made my way to the stage amidst gracious applause, to be bedecked with a large blue ribbon with "Fan Guest of Honor" in gold letters. I made a totally unremembered and inane little speech — all I recall saying was an apology if we hadn't answered someone's letter. Although this way eliminates stage-fright (and I was a victim of it), I did wish I had been prepared, for the instant I sat down I thought of millions of appropriate things to say, naturally. I was told to be prepared with a few remarks for the banquet, and was—mentioning all the people I should have and saying all the correct things and thank yous (rather like an Academy Award acceptance speech) and being witty and clever... and then they simply introduced me, and said a few glowing words, and I was not called upon to speak! So the nice things went unsaid about many of you, and I'm sorry. How I wish I'd had my wits about me when introduced. Here is what I wish I'd said:

"I was very pleased and touched to be honored in this way, and I thank the Equicon committee. One would like to think one's own charm, beauty, intelligence, and efficiency were responsible, but in the interests of being humble and modest, I have to confess that such is not the case. Truly, Star Trek Welcommittee and its efforts are being honored and I can't take much of the credit—the information we spread comes from Dorothy Fontana, Bjo Trimble, Margaret Basta, and every con, club, zine, and fan in Star Trek fandom...David Gerrold has been an immense help. Jacqueline Lichtenberg had the idea for STW, Jeanne Haueisen was its original organizer, and my sons got me involved. Shirley Maiewski is doing more of the work than I am, and there are currently 114 dedicated volunteer workers to do all the rest of the work. The point is — I feel STW, through me, is being honored because we try our best to help everyone spread or receive Star Trek information and news. Our motto might be some words our hero James T. once said he highly recommended: "Let me help." I hope every STWer, both past and present, will feel they shared with me in this honor".