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
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| 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.
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Gov Mofford and Polly Rosenbaum called themselves
Two Girls from Globe, AZ |
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.
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| Greeting the Pope |
"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.
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Reflecting on her days as a 17 year old playing first base for the
Canteloupe Queens in NYC Madison Square Garden |
"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
