Joanne Goodwin

Thalia Dondero

Thalia Marie Sperry Dondero lived in Nevada since 1942. She was the first woman elected to the Clark County Commission in 1974 and in 1996, she won election to the Board of Regents.

Sarann Knight Preddy, Entrepreneur

Sarann Knight Preddy provides a unique perspective on women and gaming, as the first Black woman to receive a Nevada gaming license.

Minsky's Burlesque

The Minsky family became synonymous with burlesque in the first decades of the twentieth century, operating several theaters in New York City. Burlesque combined comedy sketches, variety acts, chorus line dancers, and strippers. However, the rough language and bawdy entertainment made them the object of morals campaigns. Finally, New York City mayor Fiorello LaGuardia closed down the "burley" houses in 1939. Family members opened burlesque productions in Miami, Chicago, and New Orleans theatres.

Maude Frazier

Maude Frazier, educator and legislator, worked to improve the state's education system, from the frontline as a teacher and from the state capitol as a lawmaker. She developed the Las Vegas school district during the 1930s and 1940s, brought higher education to Southern Nevada, and improved all of the state's school districts through her legislative work.

Margaret Kelly

Margaret Kelly created a new form of dance entertainment in 1932 when she founded the "Bluebell Girls" in Paris, France. The dancers became famous internationally for their grace, style, and nudity. The Lido de Paris came to Las Vegas and changed showroom entertainment in 1958.

Lorraine Hunt

Lorraine Hunt has been a prominent member of the Las Vegas community since the 1950s. She served on the Clark County Commission and also served two terms as the lieutenant governor of Nevada.

Lorraine Perri Hunt was born in Niagara Falls, New York. She and her family relocated to Las Vegas in 1943 and her parents worked in restaurants. In 1955, her family opened a popular pizzeria on Fremont Street. They also opened a restaurant on West Sahara in the 1960s.

Las Vegas Showgirls

Showgirls were tall, statuesque figures featured prominently in casino showroom productions. They had a role distinct from that of a dancer, and they were sometimes referred to as mannequins because they appeared partially nude and did not dance.

Jeanne Janish

Jeanne Russell Janish was the first female graduate from Stanford University with a master's degree in geology. Her botanical illustrations are recognized nationally and generations of Nevadans have learned local botany from her field guide illustrations.

Janish was born in 1902 in Marshall, Iowa, but grew up in California. She graduated from Vassar College in 1924 with a major in Latin and a minor in geology. She continued studies at Stanford and in 1926, became the first woman to receive a master of science degree in geology from the university.

Ffolliott (Fluff) LeCoque

Ffolliott LeCoque's career in dance spans the history of the Las Vegas Strip. She continues to work in the Las Vegas entertainment industry as manager of the show "Donn Arden's Jubilee!" at Bally's.

Emilie Wanderer

Emilie Wanderer was the first female attorney to open her own practice in Las Vegas. Despite threats, she represented the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in the 1950s. She was also the first woman to run for district court. Wanderer worked to protect the interests of children and promote equal rights.

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