National First Ladies Museum and Library comes to AZHC

National First Ladies Museum and Library event Wednesday, Feb. 19 was filled with fascinating stories told by its President and CEO Patty Dowd Schmitz. Thanks to Jolynn Clarke for bringing National First Ladies to AHS and reporting on it. Also thanks to new member Melissa Johnson for the connection.

An engaging and interesting speaker Patty shared some interesting facts:

Jackie Kennedy photographed/wrote articles and her column was known as the “Inquiring Camera Girl.” (Convention and the magazine made her quit when she married JFK).

Lucretia Garfield – 1881 was caregiver for her husband, James Garfield, after he was shot. He had a series of Doctors and one was female. Congress wanted to pay the female doctor ½ of what they were paying the male doctors and Lucretia argued, "No. The female doctor should be paid the same as the male doctors." Congress eventually agreed.

Eleanor Roosevelt came to Arizona to view the Japanese interment camps and check on how people were being treated. She disagreed with having the camps.

Florence Harding was the first potential first lady to vote after women won the right to vote.  She voted for her husband – William G. Harding.

 

Helen Taft was the responsible for getting the Japanese cherry trees planted on the mall in Washington DC.  She was also first lady when Arizona became a state.

Jolynn added, "The audience LOVED listening to her and I swear we were all ready to pack our bags for a road trip to Canton, Ohio by the time she was finished."

Melissa Johnson, Clede Gorrell, Pam den Draak

David Lee Director of Development for National First Ladies Museum and Library, guest Judy Addie, HL members Jolynn Clarke & Robin Fergeson, Patty Dowd Schmitz Pres/CEO for National First Ladies Museum and Library

Patty Dowd Schmitz Pres. and CEO National First Ladies Museum and Library, HL member and National First Ladies Museum member Melissa Johnson, David Lee Director of Development for National First Ladies Museum and Library

Mrs. White and her Golden Rule Cafe history in AZ Republic

  Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe began in 1964 and is still going strong in 2025. Honored as 2023 Arizona Historymaker, Mrs. White's legacy inspires us all. Thanks to AZ Republic article for writing her story. Videos and oral history at https://www.historicalleague.org/historymakers/elizabeth-j-white

Historymakers Wall at Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park

Ajo Museum visit with Norma Jean Coulter and Pat Grogg

 Food and history come together at the Ajo Historical Society museum. Thanks to Norma Jean Coulter and Pat Grogg for delivering Arizona Recollections and Reflections and the last box of Tastes & Treasures volume II: A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona committed to affiliated museums. Norma Jean writes, "We spent the night and also toured Organ Pipe National Monument down on the border." Pictures show the border wall, amazing giant sahuaros, and New Cornelia Open Pit Mine.

Norma Jean Coulter presents books to Ajo Museum

Museum housed in old mission church

Border Wall

Organ Pipe Monument

New Cornelia open mining pit

Tom Chauncey and 70 years of Arabian Horses

 Arabian Horse Show in Scottsdale celebrates 70 years. Tom Chauncey, 1995 Arizona Historymaker and one of the original Arabian Horse Association of Arizona members, would be proud to see this milestone. Show runs February 13-23, 2025.

www.historicalleague.org/historymakers/tom-chauncey: "Tom Chauncey established an international reputation for Arabian horse breeding, following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, who raised horses for the White House."

http://www.scottsdaleshow.com/.../scottsdale-arabian...: "Since 1955 the Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show and Shopping Expo has set the pace in the Arabian horse world. The first show was held at the grounds of the Arizona Biltmore Hotel which was a beautiful setting for a horse show. The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show was a first class show from the very first day.

After the show's beginnings at the Arizona Biltmore, Ann McCormick bought 150 acres in Scottsdale and made it into the horse facility known as Paradise Park which served the needs of the show for many years.

Since that time, the show has been held at WestWorld in Scottsdale. It has grown from 50 horses to nearly 2000 horses bringing top owners, trainers and breeders from around the world competing for a chance at winning. A win at Scottsdale can mean big money in the breeding barns. In addition to exciting competitions, educational seminars, family-focused events, and an international cuisine court, the event features more than 250 vendor booths, offering everything from lavish jewelry, clothing and works of art."

Arizona Statehood Week February 11-14

 

February filled with Friendship, Fun, Food . . . Music and History at our meeting

Celebrating friendship and Valentine's Day, the tables were decorated in hearts (thanks to Sandra Loeffler) awaiting the delicious lunch from Creations by Sergio. 

Thanks to a very generous member (anonymous) who offered to pay for everyone's February 3rd lunch as a gift to the membership.  

 

The Menu:

     Sweet Potato Corn Chowder

     Croissants with Butter

     Roasted Chicken and Strawberry Salad with Prickly Pear Vinaigrette Dressing

     Almond Macroons

Pat Faur, Pam den Draak, Anne Lupica

Pat Christopherson, Sandra Loeffler

Dr. Josephine Pete, Carolyn Mendoza

Historymaker Chair Diana Smith & Chris Hackett

Jan Muray, Lindy Isacksen, Mary McMahon, Emily Burns

Jan Murray and Norma Jean Coulter

Jolynn Clarke and Carolyn Mendoza

Joyce 'the Voice' Bailey, Mary Parker, Norma Hinton, guest Judy Hughes

Karen Belt, Josie Pete, Clede Gorrell, Linda Fritsch

NHDAZ co-ordinator Leonard Moody and Norma Jean Coulter

AHS Special Projects Todd Bailey, Anne Lupica, Pam denDraak, Pat Faur

Pat Christopherson, Josie Pete

Happy Birthday to Mary Parker

Joyce 'the Voice' Bailey performing

Karen Belt and Emily Burns

Guest Judy Hughes with Mary Parker, Zona Lorig, Chris Hackett

Leonard Moody reports on National History Day

Learning about National History Day, Co-ordinator Leonard Moody is a welcome visitor to the February Historical League meeting. Norma Jean Coulter continues to work with him on NHD projects.

She reports, "We helped some students at Sunrise Middle School in Scottsdale this week and next week we are helping students at New Vistas Academy in Chandler prepare for regionals in March."

2025 Historymakers Announcement Feb 19, 2025

 The last Arizona Historymakers exhibit opened in 2023, featuring the latest class of notable community leaders.

Posted Thursday, February 6, 2025 11:08 am

1300 N College Ave
Tempe, AZ 85281

Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park

1300 N College Ave
Tempe, AZ 85281

The Historical League will announce its latest group of Historymakers on Feb. 19 at the Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park in Tempe.

As part of Arizona’s Statehood Day celebration, the Historical League will reveal the names of seven individuals and one couple who will join a prestigious list of Historymakers, a press release explained.  

It detailed that those recognized are Arizonans who have made lasting contributions to society and the growth of Arizona in a number of areas like community outreach, medicine, agriculture and scientific research. 

Diana Smith, the Historymakers Recognition Chairman, said in the release that it’s a tremendous honor to name this year’s Historymakers and recognize them for their accomplishments, contributions, service and leadership.

“Our 2025 recipients share a common thread,” Smith stated. “They’re all dedicated to making substantial, positive impacts on the state and their surrounding communities.”

Since 1992, The Historical League, Inc., has recognized over 90 of Arizona’s most noteworthy and impactful individuals through its Arizona Historymakers Recognition Program, according to the release. The recognition program is held every other year.  

Past recipients have included Sandra Day O’Connor, Navajo Code Talkers, Barbara Barrett, Dr. Robert Spetzler, Barry Goldwater and Dr. Warren Stewart.

Additional information announcing the new 2025 Historymakers will be available after Feb. 19 on the Historical League’s website at www.historicalleague.org.