Political Quotes

“I rise today to honor Helen J. Stewart, a brave and extraordinary Nevadan who lived during the early days of Las Vegas. On December 3, 2011, there will be a dedication of the statue erected in her honor at the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park. In 1882, Helen arrived in the Las Vegas Valley with her husband Archibald and their three young children. After her husband died of a gunshot wound in 1884, she managed their isolated ranch while caring for five young children. A business-savvy woman, Helen sold 1,832 acres of the ranch to the railroad in 1902 for $55,000. This land became the area from which the City of Las Vegas developed. Helen had a pioneering spirit, and she is considered to be the ``First Lady of Las Vegas.'' Among her numerous accomplishments in the community, she was the first Postmaster, the first woman to serve on a School District Board, and the first woman to serve on a jury. In addition, she was an advocate of women's rights, a charter member of the Mesquite Club, one of the founders of the Christ Episcopal Church, and the president of the Las Vegas chapter of the Nevada Historical Society. Helen also developed strong friendships with the Southern Paiutes. They were her neighbors and some were workers on her ranch. In 1911, she deeded 10 acres of her land to the Federal Government for use as an Indian school. That land established what is now known as the Las Vegas Indian Colony for the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe.…”