Under the auspices of the Nevada Women's History Project, 25 women that attended the University of Nevada during the second world war, met and recorded the impact of the war on the school and on their lives. The reunion was held at the Reno Y.W.C.A. on January 16, 1997, and Esther Early was the discussion leader. In addition to the former students, a brief presentation was given by Jean Ford, Nevada Women's History Project, and Suzie Kuczynski, Alumni Relations.

At the beginning of the meeting, a synopsis of those years was read, listing memorable people and events. Then each woman was invited to speak of their personal experiences.

The women had attended the university throughout the period 1939 - 1950. In their remarks they address the changes that resulted when the men students left for the military. Included in the changes was the first woman student body president, and the first woman editor of the school newspaper. But there are also memories of their individual lives, and talk about dating, raffles, rationing, and classes. Each woman also talks about what they did after leaving the university, and tell of families and careers.

The women listed below attended the reunion, and appear in the following order on the videotape:

• Esther Early (Detweiler)
• Ruth M. Smith (Armstrong)
• Dorothy Goetz (Jones)
• Marillyn Glynn (Reynolds)
• Maxine Cardinal (maiden name?)
• Roberta McBride (Whitney)
• Betty (Elizabeth) Waltenspiel (Zang)
• Marilyn Cusick (Amodei)
• Barbara Harbit (Burhans)
• Edith Saibini (Moore)
• Beverly Horton (Burhans)
• Mary A. Matthews (Duffy)
• Betty (Elizabeth) Porter (Tracy)
• Marilyn Perkins (Dugan)
• JoAnn Sorenson (Record)
• Mary Margaret Pehrson (Mason)
• Nora Chipman (Saunders)
• Muriel Gamble (Westergard)
• Gloria Walker (Mapes)
• Elinor Erickson (Jensen)
• Mary Lou Noel (Hovenden)
• Mary Davis (Ancho)
• Estella Marie Brown (Hicks)
• Rose Meredith (Nannini)
• Marjorie Olsen (Menu)

The group decided to meet again, and develop as a living history resource, with the objective is to provide schools or groups with speakers from this era.

Videotaped by Joann Peden. 2 hrs., 2 min.

Additional copies provided to the Nevada Women History Project, and the Univeristy Oral History Project.

University Archives

Please direct questions to James Bantin
Updated August 15, 2008