Carolyn Bernard was born in Yerington and is proud of her 4th generation Nevada Heritage. As a stay at home mom until her children were of school age, Carolyn said that her first real job outside the home, was volunteering to help her uncle, Wilson McGowan, in his successful campaign to become Nevada State Controller. She then became increasingly active in community organizations. She was instrumental in the formation of the Reno-Sparks Assistance League chapter and is the only Nevada woman to have held an office in the national Assistance League organization. Carolyn serves as Chairman of the Robert Z Hawkins Foundation and Vice Chairman of the Estelle J. Kelsey Foundation.
Carolyn Bernard was interviewed on September 6, 2018, by the Nevada Women’s History Project through a grant from the Roxie and Azad Joseph Foundation.