She retired as a Navy rear admiral in 1986 at age 79.

On Oct. 29, 2012, 15-year-old Malala Yousafzai was shot in the face by the Taliban in her native Pakistan for advocating equal education opportunities for girls and women. Two years later, she became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Hopper, Yousafzai and 35 other women are being honored by the YWCA of Westfield’s Christmas tree titled “The Gifts That Women Bring.” Handmade ornaments by YWCA board member Roxan Peterson highlight famous and less well-known women for their efforts in such diverse areas as science and technology, public service, athletics, diplomacy, organized labor, civil rights, entertainment, art, literature and gender rights.

Executive Director Stephanie Stevens believes the theme of tree is particularly appropriate as the Westfield YWCA celebrates its 125th anniversary. She contributed an ornament emblazoned with the organization’s mission statement: “The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.”

Executive Director Stephanie Stevens, at left, and board member Roxan Peterson believe the theme “The Gifts That Women Bring” is especially appropriate as the he Westfield YWCA celebrates its 125th anniversary. The tree is on display at Patterson Library through December. Photo by Bertil Peterson

“Its important that we remember our mission and the women who led the way,” Stevens said. “Even though our mission has changed in some ways, its priority has remained the same: to empower women.”

The handmade ornaments have faces on one side and brief descriptions of contributions on the back. Peterson drew inspiration from both the YWCA’s anniversary and the season of gift giving. Black Friday and Christmas have such an emphasis on material presents, she said, that cause her to consider all the intangible gifts available to us.

“I tried to capture the spirit of the organization in changing times, and how much we can learn from the challenges women faced in the past as we move forward,” said Peterson.

Acknowledging that not everyone will get a Ph.D. or win a Nobel Prize, Peterson believes “each of us has value and each of us has strengths.” As a result, Peterson used holiday recipe cards from her great-grandmother as ornaments on “The Gifts That Women Bring” tree. “Domestic and professional talents don’t have to be in conflict,” she said.

The creation is one of 16 trees decorated by individuals and organizations on display through December at Patterson Library in Westfield. Some of the organizations contributing to the third annual “Hall of Trees” include Westfield Community Kitchen, Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue, Chautauqua County Historical Society, Lake Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Westfield Academy and Central School Key Club, Johnson Estate Winery and Patterson Library.