Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Rose never imagined the impact she would have on her adopted home of Nevada. After earning a master’s in social work, she moved to the state in the early 1970s and met husband Gary, a kindred spirit who shared her love of the outdoors. Through the Sierra Club membership, she was introduced to conservation issues shaping the Great Basin, launching a lifelong commitment to environmental advocacy. What began with local land‑use concerns in Reno grew into statewide engagement. Over the decades, Rose’s expertise, integrity, and steady leadership have made her a trusted and influential voice in Nevada’s environmental policy and legislation.
Rose Strickland was interviewed by the Nevada Women’s History Project on October 14, 2025, in Reno, Nevada, through a grant from the Estelle J Kelsey Foundation.