First, Some Anecdotes from the Twentieth Century
Vera Krupp, hands on her hips, guns holstered, hollered, "Get off my land…this is my land…get out of here!" Standing on a north-facing bluff, she didn't cotton to the sight of anyone on or near her ranch. Thalia Dondero, leading her Girl Scout Troop through a Red Rock Canyon arroyo, didn't take too kindly to Krupp's manner. Dondero, permit in her raised fist, called up to her, "We have a Permit!"
In those days, Krupp's ranch was south of what is today the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, where Thalia and her troop were hiking. Krupp's ranch is now the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. Krupp's spirit lingers over the Ranch, just as Dondero's watchfulness stands guard over Calico Basin Girl Scout Camp. Calico Basin is over the north ridge of the Red Rock parklands.
Back in the early 1960s, hearing of this high-desert confrontation, "the Boys at BLM decided to take me shopping." Apparently, they thought the day had passed for girl scouts on nature hikes to witness such an apparition from the wild, Wild West of yester-century. When I thought about it, after all it was the '60s. John Glenn had circled the earth in a metal ball high up in the atmosphere. Vegas had Sinatra and the glam and Las Vegas was a growing town, with culture blossoming around the valley.
So—the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Boys took Mrs. Dondero "shopping" in the canyon to pick a spot for her Girl Scouts. She chose Calico Basin. She also worked extensively with Frontier Council volunteers on improving the high elevation log cabin-style remote Scout camp at 8500 feet in Lee Canyon, Camp Foxtail.
Thalia started some time back promoting quality education and cultural outlets for young people. She is still at it.
Twenty-First Century Transition
Today, at the turn of our new Century, a whole new batch of youngsters are growing up, thinking, as we did, everything is theirs, no matter how it got here. Technically, they are correct. That is always the motivation to build—to benefit posterity…especially our grand- and great-grandchildren. Because, even as they mature, in their youthful minds, there is no being old, they blithely attend college to learn, have fun and with any luck, grow up.
Thalia Dondero is here waiting for them, working for them, planning for them—as a Regent for the Nevada System of Higher Education. Her desk is piled high with modern day nuisances such as impact statements, contingency reports, upcoming meeting agenda documents, email and voicemail messages and a killer calendar schedule. The obstacles are greater. Her goals for the children of Nevada are unchanged. Her stewardship for our state's resources and assets continues.
Today's Networking Serendipity
Thalia Dondero is best known to most in the Valley as former Clark County Commissioner Dondero, and more recently, as Regent Dondero with the State's Higher Education System.
Thalia had attended, as she so thoughtfully does, one of the innumerable gatherings here locally—one that happened to be a celebratory group of our own Vegas Community Online, the VIP Thank You Event, an assorted crew of publishers, writers, guests and celebrities gathered downtown for an evening together, Vegas style. Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Willie Nelson, Elvis and a half-dozen more impersonators joined in the festivities.
Elvis seated me at a booth on the hazy periphery. Situated, I turned to ask my icebreaker question and found myself looking at Thalia Dondero. Her pleasant, welcoming face and demeanor did the ice breaking without a word exchanged. We laughed, I at recognition, her at knowing the effect, as it must happen to her time and again, I'm sure. This subtle ability to set someone at ease underscores decades of impressive activities, accomplishments and appointments that is Ms. Dondero's career. A career I found I knew little about. I learned quickly as the ensuing conversation revealed, there was a heck of a lot more of her journey I didn't know about—especially the juicy stuff.
Serendipity is never to be ignored, and I thought, what a kick, this is an added bonus to the evening—thank you Elvis, whoever you are. Ms. Dondero and I visited—which is to say, mostly me being nosy, and her being gracious. She is really quite reserved and unassuming. I asked about her children; she was happy to give me a few details she thought I might want to hear. She agreed to an interview at some future date.
An Afternoon Interview
Thalia and I met for a quiet visit recently, and I was able to ask her some questions, fill in blanks about her life and learn where she stands on important issues. I had done my research and picked a few ideas that are current events. Ms. Dondero's duties and accomplishments span the better part of 50 years. Her service to education, foremost, she has also contributed in many other arenas. She has had a rather daunting and interesting involvement in nearly every aspect of community service: forestry, water rights and usage, tourism, environmental quality and renewable resources, our valley's infrastructures and cultural growth.
Her life is a shimmering mirage of wife, mother, PTA and Scout leader, civic leader, activist and politician. An ever-so-brief summary is difficult. She kept her eye on the environmental ball—in play finally, in our State around the mid-'80s. She remains in the thick of things, contributing beyond her Regent's post.
What does she hold as her highest hopes for Nevada?
Without hesitation, she responded: "Excellence in education…increasing parent involvement…we must find ways to do more for teachers, especially better salaries, supplies and help…their salary should match the caliber of their responsibilities…the University system is establishing some parity…there is still much to be achieved."
As a Regent, what does she look to accomplish?
"Research and development is critical…in the Health Sciences, I was just put on this committee to put together a health clinic statewide."
She added, "The energy corridor is important to the Regents…we rely heavily on the Desert Research Institute (DRI) for data and direction…they are top-notch…alternative energy is a definite direction for Nevada to continue to explore and develop.
"When the Las Vegas Wash staff wanted to get a LEED certification, I told them to talk to Jane Greenspun at the animal shelter, as she had achieved a LEED rating for the shelter, and would be a good person to start with.
"Building Green is a catch phrase, but an important transition to help with our environmental issues."
What is the Equity Space Study Committee?
"We need space for classrooms…that is tough right now… all the new buildings are creating new space and rooms…the Law School library is critical for the UNLV campus…we have a ways to go to achieve equity in the space that will be needed for the various campus requirements.
"It is pretty exciting what is going on in education…there are so many new ways of doing things…we have a lot of great professors on campus…in the system. This is a great time for seeing things happen.
"The community colleges serve a big number of students that probably won't get to the University, and there is only so much room for them…Regis University offers some them an avenue. Jane Nichols is over the Academic Program…I trust her…their programs certainly offer many more studies than they have ever put into action before.
"I get to the Universities and colleges as much as I can…I make the rounds…keep an ear out."
In my research I found she was on so many committees, how did she do it?
"You have to remember, a lot of those were when I was serving on the Commission, and were part of those daily responsibilities…I am not on most of those committees today…some of them, yes…and now there are the groupings associated with the Regent position. There is still a lot of work to be done where I feel I can make a difference…I fit those groups into my schedule wherever I can."
Thalia Dondero—Some Anecdotes
A graduate of the Colorado Teaching School in Greeley, Thalia has been a champion of education since the 1940s. "The Colorado system had a very diversified curriculum. They offered the basics, as well as languages, music, art…we went to museums…there was a whole mentality about broad educational goals that I still hold near and dear."
Thalia has been a resident of Las Vegas since 1943. When her mother wanted to relocate to Bakersfield, she decided to accept an invitation from Lane Airbrakes in Henderson. "I took a room in downtown Las Vegas at Mrs. Gravelle's Boarding House. That was quite a commute, even then! And the town was very small and friendly."
There, one day, she met her husband to be, Harvey Dondero. Before the war, he had been the Assistant Superintendent of Schools, after teaching at Las Vegas High School. He stayed at the boarding house briefly, before going into the military. After the war, he visited Mrs. Gravelle upon his return to Las Vegas. He met Thalia. As was the case with returning GI's, his job was no longer available, and they offered him a position in the US Office of Education in Carson City.
With Harvey, Thalia reared five children, "Judy and Michael were born in Reno; Nick, Rob and Marilyn were born here in Las Vegas." Harvey was relocated back to Las Vegas in 1948, where he was principal of Lincoln Elementary. He created and encouraged The Sun Newspaper's Youth Forum. "That was his baby!"
As their children entered school, Thalia became involved in the PTA. She served as President for her children's school's PTA, and then went on to serve as President of the Clark County chapters, and finally the Nevada PTA. The young couple found themselves socially involved in their passion for education, attending functions, promoting quality education. The Dondero family was nominated 'Family of the Year,' and Thalia was twice the McCall Magazine 'Homemaker of the Year' from Nevada.
A bit of charm: the revelation that she had always made all of her own clothes. When she went to Chicago for the national Homemaker's event, in 1958, she went to Fanny's and for the first time in her young life, became the owner of a dress she "had not made herself," and "bought all matching shoes, purse, hat and gloves." High living by 1958 standards! Her nominations netted invitations to appear on the Art Linkletter show each year, in Hollywood.
In the early '60s, she had added to her PTA activities a heavy commitment to the Girl Scout program concept. Her involvement as Cub Scout, Brownie and Girl Scout leaders escalated to serving as the local President. "Ann Lynch, the Executive Director, insisted all the leaders and the children in the troops went 'in uniform' to United Way and other public functions." The Frontier Girl Scouts were making waves in the local pond.
"Then they asked me to fill in for a while as Executive Director of the Council, and Charlotte Hill would be President. Ten years later, I was able to step down." During that time, both of the Scout camps were enhanced with heavy volunteer involvement. "Volunteers built the dormitories, the kitchen and dining room main hall, and teaching buildings. The Camp Custodian's building was constructed at VoTech High School."
"We took the custodian's house up to the Camp," Dondero shared. Were the transport permits difficult to arrange, the powers that be on the same page? "In those days? We just put the house on a rig—I drove escort out of town during low traffic hours, around 3 a.m. We didn't do permits then. We just did it."
Those were the days! Try that today.
"Charlotte and I ran the camp each summer." In those days, the classes and programs had volunteer leaders. "We extended the program to include the special needs of children from the Helen J. Stewart School, and incorporated outreach programs into the African American communities."
Volunteers made the camps happen. They began carrying the torch successfully. Today, some of the leaders are paid, skilled teachers.
Her Next Adventures
Her active involvement in her husband Harvey's career, her PTA service and work with Ruthie Deskin at the School District had brought her to the attention of Maude Frazier, another self-sufficient woman, by then serving as the Superintendent of Schools. (The first building at the UNLV campus was named after her. It served as the main registration and administration building until well into the nineties. Maude Frazier is a story in her own right.)
Frazier took Dondero under her wing. "Maude did her own laundry, and hung her sheets and towels out for that sunshine sweet smell. She included me in so many school administrative functions. She was a regular at the Mizpah Hotel in Tonopah…where the School Superintendents met. The elderly gentleman that operated the elevator always called out, Welcome back Ms. Frazier, as she got on and the metal gate clanged shut."
Frazier mentored Thalia, including her in executive functions, meetings and conferences. An agreeable friendship bloomed. She thought Thalia apt at working with people in that arena; she offered the encouragement that set Thalia on the campaign trail. Thalia had decided to run for public office. Her father had done it. Her husband had done it. She decided to give it a try. In the early '70s, few women looked for that kind of abuse. Because of her, and women like her, it is a bit easier for women today to go into public life.
In 1974 she took her rightful place in the scheme of things, bringing with her the same spunk and foresight that enabled her work with the School District, the Scouts and the PTA.
(She was off and running in an illustrious and unbelievably extensive career in public leadership, serving on more boards, committees, authorities, task forces and commissions than most of us know even exist. There are links at the bottom of this article. UNLV's Special Collection # 94-48, the Nevada Women's Archives has an extensive list of Thalia's positions in their Profiles of Nevada Women, as does the Board of Regents).
Thalia served 20 years on the Clark County Commission, including three terms as chair and one term as vice chair. What was it like as the first woman County Commissioner? As a Commissioner, she sat on the Commission and worked out the future of Clark County with her fellow Commissioners. She also did "her time" at uncountable ribbon-cuttings, receptions and the like, as that was part and parcel of the job. She was obliging, which sometimes placed her in some fascinating situations.
After all, this was also Vegas, and that whole 'gig' was hers to care for as well. One occasion found her scrambling in and around a lion backstage at the MGM, when a handler left the door open on its cage. "It knocked me up against the wall…that was a rather spectacular event for the visiting President, at the time, of the country! Then I had to go out on stage as if nothing had happened, and introduce him."
She found herself at "a luncheon with Conrad Hilton…in functions with 2 or 3 Presidents…movie stars…one time they sent me to deliver a proclamation to a ski team visiting at the Tropicana…Arnold Schwarzenegger was the team leader…I didn't know him, or how to pronounce the name in the proclamation…so I read it, holding it over to him each time his last name appeared, for him to pronounce it…his team mates thought it very amusing."
A still well known anecdote is her reaction on her first day on the job. She showed up and found the Commission Chamber empty. After searching the building, she located her male counterparts in a room, behind a closed door. Surprised to see her, they nonetheless quickly realized there was a woman there to fix the coffee. Oh, and take notes, could she? "You know what…I've got the same vote you have, you chauvinistic…well…I walked out."
Her refusal, overheard by news reporters holding a cup to that closed door, materialized in the form of the famous cartoon, circulated on the national wire services.
The young wife, who had won Nevada's "Homemaker of the Year" award in both 1958 and 1959, in a decade, had become this young politician, a plucky upstart of a woman who would help build Las Vegas for future generations.
During that era, she served on an environmental commission appointed to identify Nevada lands that should be protected, set aside as public parklands. Col. Tom Miller was the Chairman of the State Park Commission. Jean Ford was on the committee. They traveled around the state creating a list. Thalia smiled at these memories.
"All of the State Parks in the Tahoe, Ely, Elko, and Las Vegas areas were designated during my term of service on the committee. That was a rare opportunity for us. Valley of Fire, Spring Mountain Ranch…all of them…were just set aside and funded…from this committee's list…that couldn't happen today…too obstructionist."
We both laughed at that fact. I privately thanked all of them in my heart, as I love these parks, frequenting them my whole life.
"Protecting these sites was critical…having them available to everyone…maybe, a small fee will evolve, to help pay for garbage collection…anyway, the areas were saved."
Here, here!
Thalia, University Regent, was elected to the Board of Regents in 1996, after a couple of years off. When she stepped back into public office, she served again as before, full on, and over the years has been both Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board. Re-elected several times, she still serves on the Board, active on several committees: Investment Committee, Cultural Diversity & Security Committee, the Board Development Committee, College and University Presidential Search committees and the Research & Economic Development Committee. Educational improvement and oversight are still her passion.
Thalia, civic leader with a proclivity for politics, unswervingly serves as a staunch supporter of education for our children. She sits on several local Committees important to her: the Summerlin Hospital Board of Trustees and the Bureau of Land Management Resource Advisory Council…even the "Las Vegas Old Timers…they will have to move to the Orleans, as the Stardust went up in smoke."
Thalia Dondero—Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, Friend
Thalia, the woman, is a happy mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her five children, Judy, Michael, Nick, Marilyn and Rob flourish in or near Las Vegas, All busily going about their lives, rearing her 15 grandchildren, and helping with her 3 great-grandchildren.
The evening of the VCO mixer, she lovingly enumerated something of each of the five children. "Judy works with children with learning disabilities, Michael is in the State of Nevada Fire Management Office, Nick is the CEO at the World Trade Center, Marilyn is a teacher and librarian, and Rob is at the convention center with R&R Advertising."
Grandchildren? "Yes, they all are doing well, and raising my 3 great-grandchildren. Marilyn has three girls; one is at Prentiss Hall Books. Judy has two boys that are publishers…well, there is a lot more where that came from…" She's obviously very proud of her offspring.
I asked after the loss of Harvey in 1989. "He had bone marrow cancer…a result of his work at the test site during the bomb testing era. We all miss him…everyone misses him."
Incidentally, Harvey having been in the Nevada School System since 1932, was the ideal author of 'History of Clark County Schools' which covered the history of the school system up to 1986.
Thalia visits the Harvey Dondero Elementary School, reading to the students, offering encouragement to them. She invites her family and us to be a part of the school.
Thalia Dondero has a full schedule, obviously. Add to that hobbies and whatever I forgot to ask. She took up watercolor painting and etchings in 1974. One of her etchings made the cover of Southwest Gas Magazine. She loves jewelry making and working with copper—she started that in high school. She plain loves life.
She finds time to do so much—she found the time to visit with us at our mixer and do an interview for Vegas Community Online. I, for one, am quite impressed with my few moments with her.
Thalia Dondero is one lady to watch—still.
Links:
University Libraries: Lied Library, UNLV, Dept. of Special Collections
library.nevada.edu/speccol/ms_subj/govcity.html
ALSO: Thalia Dondero papers: Nevada Women's Archives, Special Collections, UNLV.
Collection number 94-48.
Nevada Family Magazine
www.nevadafamilymag.com/story/?sid=14
NV Teacher Jobs: Teach, Live and Play in Nevada
www.nvteacherjobs.com/news/article_detail.php?id=1069
Women's Research Institute of Nevada
wrin.unlv.edu/biographies/thalia_dondero.html
Board of Regents
system.nevada.edu/index.htm
written by
Carol Lane Patterson
