Ed Beauvais, 2017 Arizona Historymaker

 Today we remember Ed Beauvais, who passed away 5 years ago today. Ed Beauvais spent his career in aviation. He founded America West Airlines (AWA) in 1981 and served as the company’s first CEO. By establishing Phoenix as the corporate home and operational hub for AWA, Beauvais contributed significantly to the rapid growth of Phoenix and Sky Harbor Airport.

Ed was also influential in the support for the construction of the Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park, and he was also honored as a Historymaker by the HistoricalLeague.org in 2017.

You can listen to him tell his story at https://www.historicalleague.org/historymakers/ed-beauvais.

Seen in this photograph is a mixed medium collage of highlights from AWA created in 1990. Beauvais (right) is shown with Michael J. Conway (left), the first President of AWA, celebrating the success and impact of their accomplishments.

5th Annual Postcard Contest to 3rd graders

 12newsAZ promotes the AHS 3rd grade postcard contest, showing past entries on the news. Details of the contest at Arizona Historical Society website.

Simon Kibe: Al Merito Award Winner 2026 + NHD teacher

 "Congratulations to Simon Kibe, one of the Prestigious Al Merito Award winners at the Arizona Historical Society annual meeting on Sept 25 . He has taught at Cibecue High School for 4 years and has done outstanding work with his Apache students, even getting them involved in National History Day at regionals and state.

FYI - not only is he improving his English, he is learning Apache!" reports Historical League member Norma Jean Coulter.

Simon Kibe and Norma Jean Coulter

Best Guardian of Local History by Phoenix New Times 2026 = Julia Taggart

 Best Guardian of Local History by Phoenix New Times 2026 = Julia Taggart

Growing up, Julia Taggart wasn’t much of a history buff. She aced AP history in high school, then promptly forgot most of it. Becoming a historian or preservationist was never a career goal. Funny how things worked out.

Over the past five years, Taggart has worked tenaciously to protect pieces of Valley history. And she keeps stacking wins.

Her first save came in 2021, when her research for a college documentary on Paradise Valley Mall helped preserve its carousel. She was hooked.

Then came a job as president of the Sunnyslope Historical Society and Museum, where she secured historic designation for the area’s landmark Rock Garden.

Her most visible efforts have involved beloved TV personalities Wallace and Ladmo, whose namesake show entertained generations of Valley kids. Last year, Taggart helped convince the Phoenix City Council to rename a downtown street after the duo.

In April, thanks to her efforts, Phoenix Public Library honored them with a commemorative library card.

This year, she led the effort to get historic status for the Acacia branch of the Phoenix Public Library and helped keep the iconic Mystery Castle away from the wrecking ball.

Historical League is glad to have her as a member!!

Mariamne Moore and Julia Taggart with Arizona Historymakers exhibit in background.

September meeting filled with news, laughter, updates

 Lots to discuss at the September Historical League meeting. It's a time to catch up on news and upcoming events.

And a time for friends to gather together after a summer of no regular meetings.

Although the Arizona Heritage Center is closed for renovations, they have a special room for us to meet.

Congrats to Anthony Fusco 2026 Al Merito Award recipient

 Anthony Fusco posted on facebook, "So excited to share that I’ve been selected as the 2026 Al Merito Award recipient sponsored by the Arizona Historical Society.

Fifty years ago, the Arizona Historical Society established the Al Mérito Award to recognize those who have contributed significantly to preserving and promoting Arizona history. Today, the Arizona Historical Society’s highest honor acknowledges meritorious service for those who preserve and celebrate Arizona history." Congratulations!

Dr. Eric Reiman, Alzheimer's research pioneer announces leadership transition after 38 years at Banner Health.

2025 Arizona Historymaker, Dr. Eric M. Reiman's groundbreaking work transformed Alzheimer's research and positioned Banner as a global leader in detection, prevention studies. 

Banner Health has announced a leadership transition at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, with Eric M. Reiman, MD, stepping down from his role effective Oct. 1 to embark on a new chapter in his professional and personal life. Over his 38-year career, Dr. Reiman helped shape the global fight against Alzheimer's disease. Under his leadership as founding CEO, Banner Alzheimer's Institute became an internationally recognized Center of Excellence, advancing prevention research and fostered landmark public-private partnerships that have brought the field closer than ever to the first approved Alzheimer's prevention therapies.

Honored as 2025 Arizona Historymaker by the Historical League, he tells his story here. https://historicalleague.org/historymakers/eric-m-reiman-m-d/