Dawn Gibbons, Nevada’s 28th First Lady, former State Assemblyman, and successful business owner, has led an interesting life. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Dawn moved to Nevada in 1974. She worked for her mother and stepfather in their wedding chapel businesses and graduated from UNR. At the age of 28 in 1982 she purchased the business […]
Gold in the Silver State
Helming, Deann – Austin, Lander
Wyoming native Deann Helming moved to Austin in 1981. Her interview illustrates the self-reliant life of a rural Nevada woman raising a family in a small town (population 192) hundreds of miles away from larger towns, such as Ely (population 4,000) or Fallon (population 8,000), with more shopping opportunities. Clothing, groceries, medical appointments, as well […]
Hilts, Ruth – Reno, Washoe
Ruth is not only an accomplished longtime artist, but she is also a fount of historical knowledge of the city of Reno. She was born in 1923 when Reno, Nevada’s largest city had a population of about 20,000 and she has participated in all facets of Reno’s community growth as it has reached its current […]
Holmes, Dorothy Nash – Reno, Washoe
Dorothy Nash Holmes is a native Nevadan born in Reno, Nevada. She is a graduate of the University of Nevada Reno and held a variety of jobs before deciding to go to law school. Dorothy has been a lawyer for more than 33 years and was the 75th woman to be licensed to practice law […]
Holub, Pat – Carson City, Carson City
Pat moved to Nevada with her family from California in 1958. She took painting lessons from some of the best local artists in the Reno/Carson City area and she stresses that she is a “location” painter, not a “studio” painter. Her paintings of buildings and landscapes, done throughout the state over five decades, now have […]





