How the Cities, Counties, and Parties Get their Names
Cities
We have named our cities for some of the inspirational women in the American Legion Auxiliary and for some of our Nevada women who were, or are, active in politics and are role models for all.
BARBARA BUCKLEY CITY is named for the first woman to serve as Speaker of the Assembly in the State of Nevada. Prior to becoming the Speaker, she served in the Assembly before serving as Assistant Majority Floor Leader. She was also the first woman to hold the position of Assembly Majority Leader for the Nevada State Legislature.
PATTY CAFFERATTA CITY is named for the first woman to be elected to constitutional office in Nevada when she was elected State Treasurer in 1982. An attorney, author, and historian, she has had a diverse career in law and politics. She has also served Nevada as district attorney in three Nevada counties and as a member of the Nevada Assembly.
GERALDINE CONNOLLY CITY is named for our past Nevada Girls State Director. Mrs. Connolly was the Director for more than 30 years. She was on the Board of Directors since 1965. Mrs. Connolly passed away in 2008 leaving Nevada Girls State as her legacy. She has left us with some big shoes to fill. We will do our best to honor her.
FRANKIE SUE DEL PAPA CITY is named for the first female Attorney General and first female Secretary of State for the State of Nevada. In addition to these positions, she also served on the University Board of Regents and she has been a public servant for most of her adult life. Frankie Sue Del Papa is also an alumna of Nevada Girls State.
SADIE HURST CITY is named for Nevada’s first female legislator. Elected in 1918 and taking office in 1919, she introduced the legislation (AJ/CR 2) in favor of Nevada’s ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. When this resolution came to the floor, Speaker Fitzgerald asked her to act as Speaker and take the historic vote.
SUE WAGNER CITY is named for the former Lieutenant Governor of the State of Nevada and was the first woman to hold this office in Nevada. She served in the Assembly and in the Senate before becoming Lt. Governor. She spoke to the Nevada Girls State citizens each year for 21 years, and is dedicated to the program. She attended Girls State in Arizona.
Counties
The counties of Nevada Girls State are always named in honor of distinguished members of the American Legion Family, Department of Nevada. This year, we have two counties, each consisting of an equal number of citizens, and they are named for:
GLYNIS SEELEY from Las Vegas is our immediate-past Department President. A member of Las Vegas Unit 8, she is eligible through the service of her grandfather, a World War II veteran and through her late husband, Ed Seeley, who served in the Army during Vietnam. Glynis was aware of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary from a young age, having accompanied her grandfather to his post when she was small. She joined the Auxiliary herself only after moving to Las Vegas and has since served in a number of different offices.
BETHANY MINER, from Las Vegas is our current Department President. A member of Las Vegas Unit 8, she is eligible through the service of her husband, Pete, a Vietnam veteran. Bethany joined the American Legion Auxiliary six years ago and has served as a Unit officer, District officer, and Department officer. She also participates in the American Legion Family as a member of the American Legion Riders.
Parties
The political parties at Nevada Girls State are the same as almost every other Girls State in our nation: the Nationalist Party and the Federalist Party. Here, you will find our parties with equal membership, unless we have an odd number of delegates in attendance; then one party will have one additional member.