Dr. Josephine Pete, Historical League member extraordinaire and newest recipient of the A. Wade Smith Memorial Lecture on Race Relations.

 Dr. Josephine Pete, Historical League member extraordinaire and newest recipient of the A. Wade Smith Memorial Lecture on Race Relations. It was created in 1995 to perpetuate Smith’s tireless efforts to improve race relations across ASU campuses and within the greater community.

When Moore died in 2022, the lecture was renamed the A. Wade Smith and Elsie Moore Memorial Lecture on Race Relations for her devotion to ASU as a beloved faculty member and advocate for students of color.

FYI - 2013 past recipient was J. Eugene Grigsby, Jr. who was honored as Arizona Historymaker in 1992.

Renowned Michele Norris, winner of Emmy Award and Peabody Award and Dr. Lisa M. Anderson, Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Engagement in the Graduate College of the School of Social Transformation.

Dr. Josephine Pete and Dr. Kenja Hassan, Associate Vice President, Social Embeddedness and Civic Engagement at Arizona State University.

Arizona Women's Hall of Fame honorees

Congratulations to nine very deserving women who were inducted into the 2025 Arizona Women's Hall of Fame at Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park. Historical Leagues own member Dr. Josephine Pete was one of the honorees. The bios tell the story of their many accomplishments! 

Thanks to Historical League members who have been a big part of the Hall of Fame committee: Norma Jean Coulter and Zona Lorig. 

 

Arizona Women's Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Josephine Pete

 Wonderful Event: Arizona Women's Hall of Fame honored 9 new inductees with Brownie troops watching, leading the Pledge of Allegiance and fascinated with the program. Historical League member Dr. Josephine Pete was one of the honorees. Thanks to Norma Jean Coulter for the great photos and all her work with this program.

Surrounded by family, friends, and fellow Historical League members, Dr. Josephine Pete received a well-deserved honor. Check out her biography.

Norma Jean Coulter and honoree Dr. Josephine Pete

Pam den Draak, Carolyn Mendoza, Zona Lorig, Linda Fritsch

Cathy Shumard, Carolyn Mendoza, Margaret Baker. Other Historical League members not pictured were Laurie-Sue Retts, Susan Dale, Katie Tovar, Sharon McKinney and Anne Lupica.

George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center Tour

 "A trip down memory lane . . ." Dr. Josephine Pete described the tour of George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center as she shared enlightening stories. "What I enjoyed most was taking it with our league members."

Thanks to Josie for the photos. Thanks to Clede Gorrell and Mary McMahon for organizing this educational and fascinating tour. More at https://www.carveraz.org/

George Washington Carver H.S. teacher and graduates include our own AZ Historymakers: Eugene Grigsby 1992 honoree, Calvin Goode 2003 honoree and Morrison Warren 1997 honoree. Our tour brought their stories to life.

"Despite the deficiencies of Carver's facilities, students were able to acquire quality education. Many graduates of the school have held professional and management positions. Carver graduates include Doug Nelson, Assistant Chief of Police for Phoenix; Travis Williams, City of Phoenix Human Resources Director; Dr. William Maxwell, President of Fresno Community College; Dr. Morrison F. Warren, Phoenix City Councilman, and Professor at Arizona State University; Hadie Redd, Assistant District Attorney in San Francisco; and Calvin C. Goode, the longest-serving City Council member in Phoenix history. Carver High School had a high profile in the African American community.

When Arizona achieved statehood in 1912, only two laws addressed the question of segregation. One of these laws prevented "intermarriage between persons of Caucasian blood and their descendants with Negroes."

The other law provided for the establishment of segregated elementary schools. By 1925, Phoenix had three black elementary schools-Dunbar, Frederick Douglass, and Booker T. Washington.

Phoenix was not required to build a separate black high school and did not for several years. After anti-African American sentiment increased following World War I, it was deemed necessary to separate black and white high school students.

In 1918, the "Department for Colored Students," later known as the Phoenix Union Colored High School, was established." -

K. Weight, City of Phoenix Report"

Thanks to Katie Tovar for these photos inside the museum.

Jazz scene, artist Mary Gray. 

Historical information along the hallway of the Museum

Gift shop

Laundry, a watercolor by OL Stanley.   

African American dolls from the Museum’s collection

Sculpture by John Henry Waddell "That Which Might Have Been"

Historical information along the hallway of the Museum.

Current Exhibit, Photography by Joseph Schwartz 

Jamey Palm, Office and Facilities Manager

Dr. Josephine Pete honored by Arizona Woman's Hall of Fame

 Look who is being honored . . . Historical League member Dr. Josephine Pete. She is an amazing lady who deserves this honor, along with several other very deserving Arizona women. Join us April 24 for the induction at AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park.