National History Day East Valley Contest February 2026

 Enthusiastic students: eager to show their exhibits, perform, support their papers, open their websites. 

Judges: happy to help, give constructive critiques.

Parents: delighted to see their children expand their horizons. 

Volunteers: ready be of service.

National History Day: such a valuable program.

The Many Volunteers at NHDAZ State Competition

Smiling faces greeted the students for NHDAZ State Competition at the check in table at South Mountain Community College April 11. Thanks to Historical League volunteers Robin Ferguson, Melissa Johnson, Margaret Baker and Pam denDraak for helping make the day go smoothly. There were a total of fourteen Historical League members helping as judges, greeters, photographers and with whatever needed to be done. 

Many Historical League members spent the day as judges and it was an intense, very satisfying time for them.

Meeting the students and encouraging their work is a big part of the day.

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

January 2025 meeting

2025 Historical League is off to a great start. The January meeting had education-filled stories from guest speaker, Dr. Christine Marin,

Dr. Christine Marin

enthusiastic Historymakers report from Diana Smith

Historymakers co-chair Diana Smith

and a report from AHS Deputy Assistant Director Vincent Bradley accompanied by his sons. They were off school and decided to dress like Daddy for the presentation.

A new category of Co-Presidents featuring Pam den Draak with Pat Faur is working well for the 2024-2025 Historical League. They both supervised the January meeting.

We are delighted to introduce four new members of the Historical League.

Left to Right: Jane Robertson, Christine Phillips, Caroline Bissell, Melissa Johnson