María “Concha” Concepción Ortiz y Pino de Kleven
María Concepción Ortiz y Pino de Kleven, or “Concha” as she was called, was a legend in her day. She grew up on her family’s ranch in Galisteo, New Mexico, received a good education beginning with the Sisters of Loretto, became involved in politics, and was elected...
Ladies Auxiliary of Local 890
In the foothills of Pinos Altos, in the small town of Hanover by Silver City, Mexican-American miners walked out to protest unfair working conditions, initiating a strike that lasted from October of 1950 to January of 1952. The Ladies Auxiliary 890 is rightly credited...
Juanita T. Toledo, Pha-wa-lulh-luh (Ring-Cloud Around the Moon)
In 1583, approximately two thousand people lived in the Pecos Pueblo, one of the most heavily populated pueblos. By 1838, disease and raids had drastically reduced the population. The last remaining seventeen Pecos residents packed up their belongings and relocated...
Josephine Cox “Grandma” Anderson
Josephine Cox Anderson was a lifelong artist who painted until she lost her eyesight late in life. She was also a nurse whose courageous work and kindness earned her many fond nicknames, including “The Angel of the Valley,” “The Angel of the Pecos,” and “The Angel of...
Ida O. Jackson
When Mrs. Ida O. Jackson, a Black woman who was unable to find a teaching job in Waco, Texas, arrived in Clovis in 1926, schools were still segregated. The African-American community in Clovis had earlier appropriated rooms in a local Baptist church to create a school...
Helene Haack Allen
Helene Haack Allen and her family contributed in many ways to the development of Fort Sumner, including establishing and running businesses, museums, and a theater. Most notably, her gift of the family’s land provides a sobering reminder of the forced displacement and...
Harriet Belle Amsden Sammons
Harriet B. Sammons, believed to be the first woman bank president in New Mexico, was instrumental in the development of Farmington, New Mexico, and San Juan County, and was an integral part of the Farmington community. An avid reader who loved to entertain friends and...
Graciela Olivárez
Graciela Olivárez, “Amazing Grace” to friends and colleagues, was the first woman to graduate from Notre Dame Law School, a remarkable achievement particularly given that she started work young and did not have the opportunity to earn her high school diploma. From her...