2025 Arizona Historymakers Announced

Welcoming the latest group of 2025 Historymakers, Historical League members, family and friends greeted them at Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park on February 19.

Recognizing seven new individuals and one couple who have made significant contributions to a broad range of communities and the heritage of Arizona are:

BOB BOZE BELL -- Writer, Humorist, Artist, Old West Historian

DIANA “DeDe” YAZZIE DEVINE -- Created Innovative Housing, Health Programs for Native Americans

JOHN W. GRAHAM -- Real Estate Development, Deep and Enduring Community Involvement

SHARON HARPER and OLIVER HARPER, M.D. -- Business/Civic Leaders

SISTER ADELE O’SULLIVAN, CSJ, M.D. -- Sister of St. Joseph, Established Innovative Continuum of Care for Arizonans Experiencing Homelessness

F. RONALD “RON” RAYNER -- His Innovative Crop Management Practices Nationally Recognized, Community Leader

ERIC M. REIMAN, M.D. – World leader in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s

DUANE M. WOOTEN, M.D. -- Well-Known Pediatrician, South Phoenix Community Leader

Article in Independent Newspaper by Caroline Yu.  https://www.yourvalley.net/detail.html?sub_id=514ee26b56

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Historical League announces 2025 Historymakers in Tempe - Daily Independent

The Historical League announced its latest class of Historymakers, recognizing seven new individuals and one couple who have made significant contributions to society and the growth of Arizona.

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Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust

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We are thrilled to congratulate the 2025 Historymakers, an esteemed group of Arizonans recognized by HistoricalLeague.org for their lasting contributions to our state. A special salute to our esteemed Trustee, Sharon Harper, and her husband, Dr. Oliver Harper, for their unwavering dedication to enhancing our community. Their leadership and commitment continue to inspire us all.

NHDAZ East Regional Contest

Cathy Shumard

 Judging NHD takes a lot of organizing. We are grateful to Cathy Shumard making it fun, interesting and exciting for so many Historical League members to be trained and participate.

Leonard Moody, NHDAZ Coordinator, directed Feb. 22 activities held at U of A Medical School Chandler campus and nearby Chandler library with scheduling of students, judges, and families, room locations, snacks, Wi-Fi connections, technology, and problem solving.

Judging teams awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners; promoting appropriate projects on to the State competition on April 12th. Feedback is given to teachers and students so there is an opportunity to strengthen their projects: papers documentaries, exhibits, websites, and performances before State.

Leonard Moody

Many teachers make these projects a class requirement and grades are given. Participation in the NHD competitions is voluntary.

Volunteering is a BIG part of the Historical League and we are proud to support National History Day Arizona, making students and parents feel comfortable and have proper instructions for the day.

Behind the scenes, taking pictures, is our highly-motivated AHS Chief Education Officer Dr. Kristen Rex

Norma Jean Coulter

Sharron McKinney in middle

AHS Todd Bailey on right

Cheryl Stegall

Sharon Akridge

Dave and Diana Smith with other volunteer judges

Welcoming NHDAZ students are Robin Ferguson and Jolynn Clarke

Mary Perona handing out information to students

Leonard Moody giving instructions to Mary Perona, Robin Ferguson, Jolynn Clarke

Welcoming NHDAZ student contestants to the East judging competition are Historical League members Robin Ferguson, Jolynn Clarke and Mary Perona.

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