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Helen Stewart Statue Dedicated at Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park
On December 3, 2011 on a cold blustery day, over 300 government officials, civic leaders, friends, and descendants gathered to honor, Helen J. Stewart, often called, “The First Lady of Las Vegas. The statue was dedicated to her near her former home, now the grounds of the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park at the southeast corner of Washington and Las Vegas Boulevard.
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| Dr. Linda Miller with newly unveiled statute of Helen J. Stewart |
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Dr. Linda Miller, Helen Stewart interpreter, coordinated the speakers. Speakers were selected who reflected the various organizations Helen Stewart represented. Friends of the Fort President Don Hotchkiss and Nevada State Parks Administrator David Morrow led the list of speakers.
Descendants of Helen J. Stewart expressed their appreciation. There were about fifteen family members coming from several states. They gathered for a family reunion afterwards.
Benjamin Victor, sculptor, unveiled the statue of Helen J. Stewart. Gwendolyn Clancy discussed the documentary chronicling her life. Participants were then invited to view the video in the Fort’s theater while enjoying refreshments.
Helen Jane Wiser Stewart (1854-1926) moved to Las Vegas with her husband in 1882. Two years later her husband Archibald Stewart was killed at the Kiel ranch, and Helen took over running the “Los Vegas Ranch”. In later years, Helen and her father Hiram Wiser began buying land in response to rumors of the railroad going through the Las Vegas Valley. In 1902 Helen sold over 1800 acres to Senator Clark of Montana, who had ties to the railroad. In May, 1905, a land sale occurred, and the City of Las Vegas developed.
This work is a culmination of events that began in September 2008 when various community groups such as the Southern Nevada Women’s History Project, League of Women Voters, Daughters of the American Revolution, Nevada Council for History Education, Mesquite Club and Christ Church Episcopal Ladies Guild members joined with the Friends of the Fort to kick off fund raising for the statue at the Old Fort. Unfortunately, the down turn in the economy stalled fund raising efforts.
The Friends of the Fort, a non-profit organization that works with the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park, applied for and was awarded $99,000 by the Las Vegas Centennial Commission on July 26, 2010, to fund the statue of Helen Stewart. Dr. Linda Miller as Helen J. Stewart and Phyllis Weaver as Delphine Squires, made the presentation. Sculptor Benjamin Victor was chosen to design and create the statue. He also sculpted the Sarah Winnemucca statue in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol.
For more information contact the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park at 486-3511 or Dr. Linda Miller at 492-7742
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Redistricting
The League of Women Voters of Nevada observed the constitutional process of redistricting during the 2011 Legislative Session. The League submitted legal briefs during the process through League Member Denise Pifer, Esq.
The League was the first group to submit recommendations. League Members Dwayne and Carol Chesnut and Forrest Darby worked on the League's recommendations together with First Vice President/Legislative Advocate Sam King. The Legislature failed to pass a reapportionment bill acceptable to all and the issue ended up with the courts to make a decision.
Below are links to the last versions submitted to the District Court. They have been approved by the District Court. The Supreme Court has cancelled its hearing, so these should be final.
State Senate Districts 1 2 3 4
State Assembly Districts 1 2 3 4
Congressional Districts 1 2 3
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November Speaker
Metro Vice Detective Chris Baughman spoke to our November meeting on the subject of Human Trafficking. Detective Baughman started with a brief video presentation that focused on the riches accumulated by pimps and the physical injuries suffered by the women who are forced to work for them.
He gave League members an overview of how young girls are recruited, often from cities far away from where they are taken. The pimp makes sure he knows all the details about a girl’s family, and uses this information as a threat. He uses various means to make sure that once a girl enters the life, it becomes almost impossible to get out.
After four years in Vice, arresting pimps and rescuing the women caught up in the life, he had become aware of the lack of information circulating on this subject and decided to do something about it. To that end, he wrote a book entitled “Off The Street: Prostitution Is Not A Victimless Crime.” It is his story of fighting to protect a class of women who are too easily forgotten and too readily dismissed.
There is no true hotline for people in need, but they can call Metro’s number 828-3111 and ask for Vice. A question-and-answer period followed his presentation.
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Gold Butte: Continued
An archaeological study found that the main sustenance for those early people was the tortoise. So for thousands of years the tortoise provided a food source for human beings and now Gold Butte provides a refuge as an area of critical environmental concern for the endangered desert tortoise. Humans depended on the tortoise for survival and now the tortoise depends on us for their survival. We have come full circle.
The Spanish came through in the late 1700’s. They have left evidence of their stay in hand dug mining shafts and tunnels and arrastras. White settlers who came into the area more than 150 years ago have left their trace as well. One of the most interesting is a rock piled fence that snakes for about half a mile up a hill above an old ranch site. The fence is about 3 feet wide and 3.5 feet tall.
Gold Butte has within its 345,000 acres natural beauty that surprises the senses, not only because of the close up view of nature, but also the vistas that literally seem to go on forever.
Gold Butte has within its 345,000 acres natural beauty that surprises the senses, not only because of the close up view of nature, but also the vistas that literally seem to go on forever.
The quality of life in Clark County will be greatly enhanced by the creation of the Gold Butte National Conservation Area with Wilderness. We are hoping that our community will stand strong with the LWVLVV as we work toward this federal legislation.
Please call the members of our federal delegation. They need to hear your support.
Terri Robertson, Environment Chair
Senator Harry Reid (D)
http://reid.senate.gov/
Ph: (702) 388-5020
Senator Dean Heller (R)
http://heller.senate.gov/
702-388-6605
Congresswoman Berkely(D)District 1
http://berkley.house.gov
Ph: (702) 220-9823
Congressman Mark Amodei (R)District 2
http:/amodei.house.gov
Ph: (702) 255-1651
Congressman Joe Heck (R)District 3
http://heck.house.gov
Ph: (702) 387-4941
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LWVUS Studies
The League of Women Voters is currently working on two studies. The first is underway and the second will follow. These studies are carried out by Leagues around the country and the results from the various Leagues will be used to compile a national position.
The Education Study: The Role of the Federal Government in Public Education
The LWVLVV has completed its portion of this study, wholeheartedly endorsing the notion that quality public education is vital to perpetuate a strong and viable democracy. A literate citizenry, capable of critical thinking and problem solving, is paramount to continue to build a nation of opportunity and freedom. We believe that it is the responsibility of every legislator, elected official, educator, business and institution, parent, and adult citizen to work together to promote quality education for all children. This social mandate falls heaviest on the state and local government and populations to promote quality education and to meet the special needs of all children.
With consensus, the LWVLVV believes that the principal role of the federal government in education is to ensure the equity and adequacy of the public education afforded to every child, pre-K through 12th grade, by providing oversight of state programs. We agree that decisions about education are best made at the school, district, and state levels by those closest to the children in our classrooms and most acutely familiar with their needs.
For a copy of the report that was sent to the US League of Women Voters from Nevada, click here.
Jane Newton, Chair, Education Study.
The Privatization Study
The purpose of this study is to identify those parameters and policy issues to be considered in connection with proposals to transfer federal, state or local government services, assets and/or functions to the private sector. It will review the stated goals and the community impact of such transfers, and identify strategies to ensure transparency, accountability and preservation of the common good.
Check back for more information on Las Vegas Valley's timeframe for this study. If you would like to be involved, please contact us at lwv@lwvlasvegasvalley.org.
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