Reno – Nevada Women's History Project

Zajick, Dolora – Reno, Washoe

Posted on April 4, 2019February 11, 2022 by NWHP

Born in Salem, Oreg., but raised in Nevada, Delora has attained a stellar career at the international level in opera. She is known, worldwide, for her dramatic mezzo-soprano voice. After receiving both undergraduate and master’s degrees from UNR, Dolora went on to attend the Manhattan School of Music. In 1982 she won the Bronze Medal at the 7th International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. I...
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Moon, Jane – Reno, Washoe

Posted on April 4, 2019February 11, 2022 by NWHP

Jane was born in New York City where, in 1952, she married William Moon. A member of the armed forces at that time, he was soon transferred to San Francisco, Cal. Their children were born in San Francisco. William, became a manager of Schwabacher Fray in 1969 and was transferred to Reno, Nev. Jane joined local organizations such as the Reno-Sparks NAACP, Eastern Star, Reno Soroptimists, and t...
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Loper, Diane – Reno, Washoe

Posted on April 4, 2019February 11, 2022 by NWHP

Diane, an early activist in the domestic violence movement, says she has always been involved in human issues. She was born in Montana but came to Nevada in 1967 when husband, Keith was hired as the UNR wrestling and assistant football coach. She has been a driving force behind the enactment of much Nevada legislation concerning domestic violence and other women’s and social issues. Diane was a f...
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Bernard, Carolyn – Reno, Washoe

Posted on April 4, 2019February 11, 2022 by NWHP

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 w...
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Rodriguez-Wilson, Isabelle – Reno, Washoe

Posted on May 10, 2018October 10, 2022 by NWHP

Isabelle is a California native who has enjoyed a fascinating career. From 1993 to 1995, Isabelle served as Senior Advisor to President Bill Clinton directing details associated with domestic and international event, activities, travel, and protocol for both the President and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. She produced and directed Washington, DC’s “Million Mom March” in 2000, as well a...
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Williams, Joan (Sister Joan) – Reno, Washoe

Posted on May 10, 2018February 11, 2022 by NWHP

Kentucky born Joan Williams, moved to Cincinnati, Ohio as a young girl after the death of her mother. The effects of WWII had a great influence in her life as, “it just made life more serious.” She found a book on Teresa of Avila in her boarding school library, and from that time on, she knew she would become a Carmelite contemplative nun. Sr. Joan entered the Carmelite Monastery of the Resurrect...
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Wagner, Sue – Reno, Washoe

Posted on May 10, 2018February 11, 2022 by NWHP

Maine native, Sue Wagner moved to Arizona with her family at age 10. Sue said that her family had always been politically oriented; her father serving as a Maine State Chairman of the Republican Party. She graduated high school in Tucson and went on to graduate from the University of Arizona. She received her master’s degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Sue, husband, and in...
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Tors, Jane – Reno, Washoe

Posted on May 10, 2018February 11, 2022 by NWHP

As Director of Research Communications at the University of Nevada, Reno, Jane Tors contributes her considerable skills to the University’s enhanced reputation and capacity as a high-impact research university. Jane was born and raised in Lovelock, Nevada and earned a Bachelor of Journalism Degree from University of Nevada Reno. Before her present position, Jane served as the University’s Directo...
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Thornton, Barbara – Reno, Nevada

Posted on May 10, 2018February 11, 2022 by NWHP

Tonopah native, Barbara Cavanaugh was attending high school in San Francisco when she received word that her home in Tonopah had burned to the ground. Her parents moved to Reno where Barbara graduated from the University of Nevada Reno with a bachelor’s degree and a then a master’s degree in Political Science. Now married, Barbara headed off to the University of Utah with her youngest child in to...
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Sokol, Claire (Sister Claire) – Reno, Washoe

Posted on May 10, 2018February 11, 2022 by NWHP

Sister Claire came to Reno from the Seattle, Washington St. Joseph Carmelite Monastery in 2001. A Seattle Washington native, she was born into a musical family, and after college graduation from Indiana University, she played professionally in orchestras and chamber music ensembles. Upon entering the convent in 1982, Sr. Claire successfully wove her love of music into her cloister life. She has c...
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Satre, Jennifer – Reno, Washoe

Posted on May 10, 2018February 11, 2022 by NWHP

Jennifer first moved to Reno from California in 1975. Her record of community service in Reno was interrupted by a nine-year hiatus as a resident of Memphis, Tennessee in 1991, where she served on many committees and boards in that city. Returning to Reno in 1999, Jennifer quickly resumed her community involvement. Some of her many activities include, founding board member and former Chair of the...
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Mullins, Bertha – Reno, Washoe

Posted on May 10, 2018February 11, 2022 by NWHP

Bertha Mullins’ father brought his family to Nevada where he found work at the Hawthorne Army Depot during WWII. The family, then moved to Reno where she attended local schools and graduated from University of Nevada Reno. Bertha helped develop and implemented a community health center for low income and disadvantaged families in northeast Reno, as well as designed and implemented a podiatry cli...
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Holmes, Dorothy Nash – Reno, Washoe

Posted on May 9, 2018January 12, 2021 by NWHP

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 in Nevada. She was the first woman to do prosecution in the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office, and she holds...
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Hilts, Ruth – Reno, Washoe

Posted on May 9, 2018January 12, 2021 by NWHP

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 population of 237,000. Not only does Ruth recount her long history in the Reno art community,...
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Fox, Ada (Sister Michael Fox) – Reno, Washoe

Posted on May 4, 2018January 12, 2021 by NWHP

Sister Michael entered the Carmelite Monastery of the Resurrection in Indianapolis, Indiana and transferred to Nevada in 1956 to help in the building of the Carmel of Reno Order, which had been established just two years before. Although she intended to stay just one year, now more than sixty years later she is still here. Sister Michael is blessed with a wonderful artistic talent and is the ...
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Ericson, Fritsi – Reno, Washoe

Posted on May 4, 2018January 12, 2021 by NWHP

Fritsi is a third generation Nevadan born in Reno, Nevada. A former educator and staff member for Congressman James D. Santini (1975-1983), Fritsi’s interest in women and children’s well-being led her to become a founding member of the Nevada Women’s Fund, and in 1984 she became its chief administrator. Fritsi retired in 2005 as president and CEO. As a community activist, Fritsi has held nume...
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Cafferata, Patricia – Reno, Washoe

Posted on March 9, 2018August 20, 2018 by NWHP

Educator, State Legislator, attorney, State Treasurer, and author of numerous Nevada books and articles, Patty has had a diverse career in law and politics. She was the first woman elected to a constitutional office in Nevada when she was elected State Treasurer in 1982. Patty is a lifelong resident of Reno and is active in recording and preserving the history of Nevada. Patty Cafferata...
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Batjer, Marybel – Reno, Washoe

Posted on March 9, 2018August 20, 2018 by NWHP

Carson City native, Marybel’s job experiences have taken her to Washington DC and California, as well as Nevada. She has held Pentagon and White House positions in both the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations. Marybel has worked for 3 Governors; Nevada’s Kenny Guinn, and California’s Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown. She also served as former Vice President of Public Policy and Corp...
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Atcheson, Lynn – Reno, Washoe

Posted on March 9, 2018August 20, 2018 by NWHP

Through her community leadership and professional achievements, Lynn has contributed to the health and vitality of the Truckee Meadows and Washoe County for many years. A native Nevadan, born in White Pine County, Lynn has spent most of her of her adult life in Reno. She has held leadership positions with Sierra Pacific Power Co. (now Nevada Energy), Harrah’s, as Director of Public Affairs, and ...
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