Arizona
and the Historical League lost a dear friend yesterday. Named as a
Historymaker in 1999 by the Historical League, Rose Mofford, Arizona's
first female governor, died at 94. Her biography and more photos are at www.HistoricalLeague.org/Historymakers
Rose Mofford, Arizona's first female governor and a shepherd for the state during a period of political turbulence, died Thursday, a former spokeswoman said. She was 94.
Mofford was injured in a fall and went to a hospice facility last month where she died, former spokeswoman and longtime friend Athie Hardt said.
Mofford, a Democrat known for her signature beehive hairdo, served as governor from 1988 to 1991. She was the elected secretary of state when she took over for Republican Gov. Evan Mecham, who was impeached and removed from office by the GOP-led Legislature. Arizona does not have a lieutenant governor.
Mofford did not run for her own term in 1990. She was succeeded by
Republican Fife Symington, who resigned amid a real estate scandal in
1997. His fraud conviction was later overturned.
Mofford was a Democrat in a traditionally Republican state who was revered by members of both parties. Her death prompted an outpouring from Democrats and Republicans alike.
"Rising through the ranks of state government
to our state's top office, she shattered a once-thought unbreakable
glass ceiling and served as an unparalleled role model to many," said
GOP Gov. Doug Ducey, who ordered flags be lowered to half-staff in her
honor.
She was the first of four female governors to lead the conservative state over the next two decades, including Republican Jane Hull, Democrat Janet Napolitano and Republican Jan Brewer.
"During challenging times for our state, Governor Mofford was the steady
hand that led us through and held us together," Ducey said.
Former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods said Mofford "stepped up when she needed to step up."
"I don't think she ever really necessarily wanted the spotlight or wanted to certainly be governor, but she believed in public service and she believed strongly in the state, especially the rural areas of the state," Woods said.
He said Mofford had a "very plain-spoken, blunt style."
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, a Democrat, called Mofford an "Arizona original, a gifted and groundbreaking leader" who provided the state with calming leadership.
By Paul Davenport, Associated Press
By Terry Tang, Associated Press
 |
| Her official Historymaker portrait |
Rose Mofford, Arizona's first female governor and a shepherd for the state during a period of political turbulence, died Thursday, a former spokeswoman said. She was 94.
Mofford was injured in a fall and went to a hospice facility last month where she died, former spokeswoman and longtime friend Athie Hardt said.
Mofford, a Democrat known for her signature beehive hairdo, served as governor from 1988 to 1991. She was the elected secretary of state when she took over for Republican Gov. Evan Mecham, who was impeached and removed from office by the GOP-led Legislature. Arizona does not have a lieutenant governor.
 |
| Gov Mofford and Polly Rosenbaum called themselves Two Girls from Globe, AZ |
Mofford was a Democrat in a traditionally Republican state who was revered by members of both parties. Her death prompted an outpouring from Democrats and Republicans alike.
 |
| Greeting the Pope |
She was the first of four female governors to lead the conservative state over the next two decades, including Republican Jane Hull, Democrat Janet Napolitano and Republican Jan Brewer.
 |
| Reflecting on her days as a 17 year old playing first base for the Canteloupe Queens in NYC Madison Square Garden |
Former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods said Mofford "stepped up when she needed to step up."
"I don't think she ever really necessarily wanted the spotlight or wanted to certainly be governor, but she believed in public service and she believed strongly in the state, especially the rural areas of the state," Woods said.
He said Mofford had a "very plain-spoken, blunt style."
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, a Democrat, called Mofford an "Arizona original, a gifted and groundbreaking leader" who provided the state with calming leadership.
By Paul Davenport, Associated Press
By Terry Tang, Associated Press
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