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DAWN (SNELLING) GIBBONS

Dawn Gibbons
Photo Credit:
Nevada State Library
& Archives

DAWN (SNELLING) GIBBONS (1954 – )
Governor James Gibbons (2007 – 2011)

The information below has been compiled from a variety of sources. If the reader has access to information that can be documented and that will correct or add to this woman’s biographical information, please contact the Nevada Women’s History Project.

At A Glance:

Born: 9 Mar 1954 (Atlanta GA)
Maiden Name: Dawn Snelling
Race/Nationality/Ethnic Background: Caucasian
Married: 21 June 1986 (Reno NV)
Children: Jimmy, Chris, Jennifer
Primary City and County of Residence and Work:
Reno NV, Carson City NV
Major Fields of Work: First Lady, Businesswoman
Other Role Identities: Wife, Mother, State Legislator

Bibliography:

  • “Congressman’s wife announces bid for spot in state assembly.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 28 Apr. 1998. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • “Legislator proposes special plates for drunken drivers.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 4 Dec. 1998. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • “Panel sics drug dogs on prison visitors.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 10 Mar. 1999. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • Reeder, Scott. “Plan would eliminate Nevada business tax on small firms.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 25 Mar. 1999. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • Russell, Kiley. “Special car plates for DUI drivers termed privacy invasion.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 31 Mar. 1999. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • Nevada first law for organ transplants may not be working.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 20 Aug. 1999. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • “Dawn Gibbons seeks re-election to Nevada Assembly.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 2 May 2000. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • “Washoe County a bit closer to justice complex.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 26 July 2000. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • Sun Capital Bureau. “Gibbons to run for re-election.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 8 Jan. 2002. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • Neff, Erin. “Lots of tax plans exist, but no easy choices.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 21 Mar. 2003. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • “Legislative Briefs: Gibbons pulls controversial bill.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 25 Mar. 2003. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • Neff, Erin. “Political notebook: Husband, wife show patriotism in different ways.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 21 Mar. 2003. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • “Lawmakers face own tax burdens.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 12 July 2003. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • Richmond, Emily. “Teacher’s union readies initiative for more funding.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 12 Feb. 2004. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • “Education initiatives split Gibbons house.” lasvegas.com. Las Vegas Sun. 22 Mar. 2004. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • “Petition on funding education gathers steam.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 5 Feb. 2004. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • Curran, Stephen. “Program to raise awareness of need for organ donations.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 13 Apr. 2004. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • “Education initiative is first to qualify.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 24 June 2004. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • Searer, Kirsten. “Legislature to experience major turnover.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 6 July 2004. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • Grove, Benjamin. “Dawn Gibbons describes hectic scene as volunteer in Houston.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 12 Sept. 2005. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • Question 1: School Funding.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 14 Oct. 2004. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • “Dawn Gibbons, candidate for U.S. House of Representatives.” nevadaappeal.com. Nevada Appeal. 23 July 2006. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • Ginter, Barry. “Candidates continue war of words.” nevadaappeal.com. Nevada Appeal. 4 Aug. 2006. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • Coolican, J. Patrick. “Running all alone”. lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 31 July 2006. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • “State’s governors help in fundraiser for autism.” nevadaappeal.com. Nevada Appeal. 12 Jan. 2007. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • “First lady Dawn Gibbons to wear an Armani design to inaugural balls.” nevadaappeal.com. Nevada Appeal. 24 Jan. 2007. Web. 1 Sept. 2007.
  • “Having A Ball.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 1 Feb. 2007. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • “Dawn Gibbons-First Lady of Nevada.” Giftoflife.nv.gov/DawnGibbonsBiography.htm. Document no longer available at web site. See copy included in vertical files of Nevada Women’s History Project, “Biographies: First Ladies: Gibbons, Dawn.”
  • “Dawn Gibbons says reading, drug abuse top priorities.” Reno Gazette Journal 2 January, 2007, sec. A: 4. Print.
  • Coolican. J. Patrick. “A scourge, well seen.” lasvegas.com. Las Vegas Sun. 8 Feb. 2007. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • “Empty words or empty house.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun, 22 Apr. 2007. Web. 22 July 2010.
  • “Hey Kids: Mom And Dad Want Your Test Results.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun. 23 May 2007. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • “State’s Americorps program renamed ‘Nevada Volunteers’ to increase interest.” nevadaappeal.com. Nevada Appeal. 12 Sept. 2007.
  • “First lady volunteering for a great cause.” nevadaappeal.com. Nevada Appeal. 13 Sept. 2007. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
  • Vogel, Ed. “Dawn Gibbons finds being Nevada’s first lady has ups and downs.” lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun, 29 Oct. 2007, Web. 9 Apr. 2010.
  • Griffith, Martin. “Aide: “Difficult time’ for Gibbons family.” nevadaappeal.com. Nevada Appeal, 29 Feb. 2008. Web. 9 Apr. 2010.
  • “Sierra Nevada Profile: Dawn Gibbons.” Sierra Nevada Boomers. March/April 2008: 64. Print.
  • Friess, Steve. “Divorce Turns Ugly for Nevada’s Governor.” The ledge.blogs.nytimes.com. New York Times, 30 May 2008. Web. 21 Apr. 2010.
  • Smith, John L.. “Governor, first lady ready to take their best shots in dog-eat-dog-world.” nevadaappeal.com. Nevada Appeal, 5 Jun 2008. Web. 19 Aug. 2010.
  • “Governor won’t appeal divorce case ruling.” nevadaappeal.com. Nevada Appeal. 13 Jan 2009. Web. 19 Aug. 2010.
  • Dornan, Geoff. “Dawn Gibbons: Devoted to her causes.” nevadaappeal.com. Nevada Appeal, 6 Sept. 2009. Web. 19 Aug. 2010.
  • “Nevada’s First Lady Still Smiling.” Reno Gazette Journal 14 Sept. 2009, sec. B: 2. Print.
  • “GIBBONS ‘HAPPY’ IT’S OVER AND FINISHED.” Las Vegas Sun 29 Sept 2009, sec. A: 2. Print.
  • “NV’s first lady speaks of divorce; politics.” nevadaappeal.com. Nevada Appeal, 30 Nov. 2009. Web. 19 Aug. 2010.
  • “HOW EVEN IS THE SPLIT.” Las Vegas Sun. December 29, 2009, sec. A: 1. Print.
  • “Last-minute deal shuts down trial: Governor, First Lady reach accord on assets.” Reno Gazette Journal 29 Dec. 2009, sec. A: 1, 4. Print.
  • “Gibbonses reach divorce deal.” Las Vegas Review Journal 29 Dec. 2009, sec. A: 1. Print.
  • “Gibbonses: Governor flubs wedding date during hearing.” Las Vegas Review Journal 29 Dec. 2009, sec. A: 1. Print.
  • “Gibbon’s campaign advisor criticized for sexist statement.” Las Vegas Review Journal 30 Dec. 2009, sec. B: 3. Print.
  • “Gibbons fires campaign aide.” Las Vegas Review Journal 31 Dec, 2009, sec. B: 5. Print.
  • “Gibbons: charitable organizations, other causes praise work by first lady.” Las Vegas Review Journal 31 Dec. 2009, sec. B: 5. Print.
  • “Autism group slams advisor for comment.” Reno Gazette Journal 31 Dec. 2009, sec. 1:5. Print.
  • McAndrew, Siobhan. “First Lady Dawn Gibbons-her side of the story.” Reno Magazine. Dec. 2009/January 2010: 44-53: Print.
  • “Gibbons fires campaign manager.” Reno Evening Gazette. 1 Jan. 2010, sec. A: 2. Print.
  • Sonner, Scott. “First lady: Divorce deal in jeopardy.” nevadaappeal.com. Nevada Appeal. 12 Feb. 2010. Web. 19 Aug. 2010.
  • “Dawn Gibbons in talks for Reno radio show.” nevadaappeal.com. Nevada Appeal. 18 Mar. 2010. Web. 19 Aug. 2010.
  • Katsilometes, John. “Dawn Gibbons says booking Harry Reid for radio show ‘an absolute coup’. lasvegassun.com/blogs. Las Vegas Sun, 29 Mar. 2010, Web. 21 Apr 2010.
  • “Dawn Gibbons begins anew with one-liners, personality on show.” Reno Gazette Journal 31 Mar. 2010, sec. A: 2. Print.
  • “Taxpayers footing bill until Gibbons divorce final.” nevadaappeal.com. Nevada Appeal, 11 Apr 2010. Web. 19 Aug. 2010.
  • “Former first lady Dawn Gibbons ends radio show.” nevadaappeal.com. Nevada Appeal, 25 June 2010. Web. 19 Aug. 2010.
  • “Gibbonses in divorce court for status check.” Reno Gazette Journal 20 July 2010, sec. A: 3. Print.
  • Gibbons’ divorce finished.” Reno Gazette Journal 22 July 2010, sec A: 1, 6. Print.
  • “Dawn Gibbons moves forward.” Reno Gazette Journal 22 July 2010, sec. A: 6. Print.
  • Harpster, Jack. “A Determined Governor: James Gibbons.” 100 Years in the Nevada Governor’s Mansion. Las Vegas, NV: Stephens Press, LLC, 2009. 230-239. Print.
  • “Former First Lady Hired At Sunbelt.” Reno Gazette-Journal. 26 Aug. 2010:2A. Print.
  • Myers, Laura. “First ladies share lives, laughs.” Las Vegas Review Journal 12 January 2014. sec B:1, B:10. Print.