Arizona Humanities

"Arizona’s Birth Control Movement: Providing Contraceptives to Rural and Urban Women" with Mary Melcher
2025-03-26 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Phoenix) | Mohave Community College – Lake Havasu Campus – Building 600, 1977 Acoma Blvd, Lake Havasu City, AZ, 86403, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
Today, women’s ability to control their reproduction through use of contraception is taken for granted. But this is a fairly recent phenomenon. Birth control was illegal in the U.S. until 1936. Before birth control was legalized, a lively birth control movement developed in Arizona,initiated by Margaret Sanger and volunteers in Tucson and Phoenix. Working with upper middle- class women, including Maie Heard, founder of Heard Museum, and Peggy Goldwater, wife of Barry Goldwater, Sanger publicized family planning and opened clinics. Others also provided contraceptives, including Farm Security Administration nurses who distributed birth control to the racially and ethnically diverse women working in Arizona migrant camps. In addition, a Catholic priest, Father Emmett McLoughlin, provided contraceptives in south Phoenix through St. Monica’s Clinic. The work of these varied individuals gave women greater control over their reproductive lives. This talk provides historical context related to birth control, while also exploring racial and class issues related to the topic.
This program is cohosted by Mohave Community College – Lake Havasu Branch.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Dr. Mary Melcher, public historian, completed her Ph.D. in American history at Arizona State University in 1994, with fields in the twentieth century, women’s history, and the West. Dr. Melcher has worked as a curator in various museums and as a public history consultant. She was the lead historian for the Arizona Women’s Heritage Trail, a public history project combining women’s history with interpretation of historic sites. Dr. Melcher has conducted over 150 oral histories and published numerous articles in historical journals. She has a strong interest in women’s history in relation to reproduction. In 2012, she published Pregnancy, Motherhood and Choice in Twentieth Century Arizona with the University of Arizona Press.

"Jewish Women's Resilience, Resistance, and Survival in the Holocaust" with Bjorn Krondorfer
2025-03-25 13:00 - 14:30 | Flying-Through-History-Exhibit-2
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
This presentation traces the lives of two women Holocaust survivors who both grew up in traditional Jewish families in Bedzin, Poland and later became residents of Arizona: Jane Lipski (Tucson) and Doris Martin (Flagstaff). They managed to survive the Nazi onslaught as adolescent girls. While Jane was able to escape the ghetto and join the resistance movement in Slovakia, Doris was sent to Auschwitz and selected for labor at a women’s camp near the Gross-Rosen concentration camp. While Doris was liberated in 1945 by the advancing Soviet forces and ended up in a Displaced Person Camp in Germany, Jane was arrested by the Soviets as a suspected spy and remained in captivity in Soviet labor camps until 1947. Dr. Krondorfer will introduce the complex history of the Holocaust through the lives of women like Doris and Jane, with particular attention to their resourcefulness in the struggle so to survive.
This program is cohosted by Desert Foothills Library Association.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Björn Krondorfer is Regents’ Professor and the Director of the Martin-Springer Institute at Northern Arizona University. As Endowed Professor of Religious Studies, he also teaches in the Department of Comparative Cultural Studies. His field of expertise is religion/gender/culture and (post-) Holocaust and reconciliation studies. He received a Senior Research Fellowship at the Vrije University in Amsterdam and held visiting faculty positions in Germany and South Africa. He is currently the VP of the Association for Public Religion and Intellectual Life; in 2020 he became chair of the Consortium of Higher Education Centers for Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Studies.

"The Vanishing Trading Posts" with Christine Glenn & Sandy Sunseri
2025-03-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Food-Wagon
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
The stories of trading posts in the Southwest are a unique snapshot of life almost one hundred years ago. In the early 1900’s, trading posts in the Four corners flourished. There were over one hundred trading posts on the plateau, but today only five remain. Why did they vanish? The challenges and unexpected gifts of cross-cultural exchange are factors, as well as the social and economic changes on the reservation and across the country.
This program is cohosted by Sounds of Kingman.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Chris and Sandy have been speaking about the land and people of the Colorado Plateau since 2012, after completing docent training at the Museum of Northern Arizona. In-depth research and related interviews have resulted in lectures to their fellow docents, local social and educational groups, and at public venues such as Riordan Mansion in Flagstaff. Some topics are presented in costumes of the time period, at some we serve food, and in every case with a thorough exploration of the events and personalities of the time from multiple points of view.

"Arizona Colonists, Pioneers, and Immigrants: A multicultural history" with Jim Turner
2025-03-21 15:00 - 16:00 | McFarland State Historic Park, 24 W. Ruggles St, Florence, AZ, 85132, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
Arizona’s history is much more than Hollywood’s Wild West stereotypes of cowboys, lawmen, and outlaws. In addition to miners, merchants, and ranchers, the area attracted faith-based farmers, health seekers, and women entrepreneurs of many creeds and cultures, including a Greco-Syrian camel driver. This presentation describes Arizona history’s notables and notorious characters from common folk to public heroes.
This program is cohosted by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce – McFarland State Historic Park.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Arizona Historical Society’s beloved historian, Jim Turner, has worked with more than seventy local history museums. He co-authored the 4th-grade textbook The Arizona Story, and his pictorial history, Arizona: Celebration of the Grand Canyon State, was a 2012 Southwest Books of the Year selection. Turner moved to Tucson in 1951, earned an MA in U.S. history in 1999, and has been teaching Arizona history for 47 years. His numerous books include: The Mighty Colorado from the Glaciers to the Gulf (2016), Four Corners USA: Wonders of the American Southwest (2018), and Arizona: A History of the Grand Canyon State (2021). jimturnerhistorian.org

"Take a Hike! Explore, Enhance, and Experience Your Understanding of Arizona" with Rodo Sofranac
2025-03-20 13:00 - 14:00 | Dorothy Powell Senior Center, 405 E 6th St, Casa Grande, AZ, 85122, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
There are only eleven designated national scenic trails in the United States. Our Grand Canyon State has one of them—the Arizona National Scenic Trail! In this discussion, participants will have opportunities to: explore the history of the creation of Arizona’s greatest volunteer project; enhance their knowledge of Arizona’s diverse geography, animals, plants, and especially people—from the first, to the newest Americans, to the global travelers and, as we were reminded of the physical environment’s value to human existence, experience and sustain all or part of one of Arizona’s greatest resources, the Arizona Trail.
This program is cohosted by The Museum of Casa Grande.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Rodo Sofranac spent his first few years in a tiny village called Rijeka Crnojevića, Montenegro—former Yugoslavia. His family fled to Austria and later immigrated to the United States. He speaks, reads, and writes Serbo-Croatian and German. Interestingly, the Montenegrin connection brought Sofranac to Arizona in 1974. This diversity of cultures and languages has inspired Sofranac to read, write, and enjoy sharing stories. As a teacher, translator, mentor, and community organizer, he has worked with people of all ages— from birth to over 100—and in numerous settings, including over 30 years at the university level. Sofranac‘s award-wining work embraces varied storytelling, the latest being nine fun children’s books.

"100 Years Grand – The Story of Arizona Highways Magazine" with Win Holden
2025-03-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Goodyear City Hall Chambers, 1900 N. Civic Square, Goodyear, 85395, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
April 2025 will mark Arizona Highways magazine’s 100th birthday. How did a brochure produced by the Arizona Highway Department become one of the most revered travel publications in the world? How has Arizona Highways remained relevant for a century while other national magazines have failed? Former Arizona Highways Publisher, Win Holden, will share the inside story of how this extraordinary publication has not only survived but thrived by attracting elite landscape photographers and using an unconventional publishing business model incorporating licensing, retailing and ancillary products. The presentation features dozens of historical and contemporary photographs telling the compelling story of a magazine that delivers over $65 million in annual economic impact to the state by captivating subscribers in all 50 states and 100 countries.
This program is cohosted by the P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Win Holden was named the sixth Publisher of Arizona Highways Magazine in May 2000. The publication is recognized as one of the finest travel magazines in the world. The magazine has over 120,000 subscribers in all 50 states and 100 countries. As Publisher, Mr. Holden led a diverse group of businesses centered on the world-renowned magazine including licensing, book publishing, calendars, e- commerce, new product development, product marketing and retailing. A Valley resident since 1980, Mr. Holden was recognized by the Arizona Office of Tourism and the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association as their 2017 and 2018 Lifetime Award recipient and received the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Business Journal. He was the 2007 inductee into the Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame.

"Take a Hike! Explore, Enhance, and Experience Your Understanding of Arizona" with Rodo Sofranac
2025-03-19 18:00 - 19:30 | Leisure World, 908 S. Power Rd., Mesa, 85206, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
There are only eleven designated national scenic trails in the United States. Our Grand Canyon State has one of them—the Arizona National Scenic Trail! In this discussion, participants will have opportunities to: explore the history of the creation of Arizona’s greatest volunteer project; enhance their knowledge of Arizona’s diverse geography, animals, plants, and especially people—from the first, to the newest Americans, to the global travelers and, as we were reminded of the physical environment’s value to human existence, experience and sustain all or part of one of Arizona’s greatest resources, the Arizona Trail.
This program is cohosted by Leisure World Foundation.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Rodo Sofranac spent his first few years in a tiny village called Rijeka Crnojevića, Montenegro—former Yugoslavia. His family fled to Austria and later immigrated to the United States. He speaks, reads, and writes Serbo-Croatian and German. Interestingly, the Montenegrin connection brought Sofranac to Arizona in 1974. This diversity of cultures and languages has inspired Sofranac to read, write, and enjoy sharing stories. As a teacher, translator, mentor, and community organizer, he has worked with people of all ages— from birth to over 100—and in numerous settings, including over 30 years at the university level. Sofranac‘s award-wining work embraces varied storytelling, the latest being nine fun children’s books.

The Colorado River and its Wonders: A Study in Water Use and Conservation with Jim Turner
2025-03-19 17:00 - 18:15 | Keep Sedona Beautiful, 360 Brewer Road, Sedona, 86338, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
The Colorado River is a critical source of the West’s water supply, supporting 40 million people, nearly 6 million acres of agriculture, and tribes across seven states and portions of Mexico. At 1,450 miles long the Colorado River is the sixth longest river in the United States. The river flows through seven states and covers 244,000 square miles, about 1/12th of the United States. Known for its dramatic canyons, whitewater rapids, and eleven U.S. National Parks, the Colorado River and its tributaries are a vital source of water. An extensive system of dams, reservoirs, and aqueducts divert almost its flow for agricultural irrigation and urban water supply. Its large flow and steep gradient (10,184 ft above sea level to 58 feet in the Mexicali Valley) are used to generate hydroelectric power to several western states and Nebraska. This presentation discusses the geology, geography, exploration, national parks, and the state of the river today with its natural beauty, current difficulties, and solutions.
This program is cohosted by Keep Sedona Beautiful.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Arizona Historical Society’s beloved historian, Jim Turner, has worked with more than seventy local history museums. He co-authored the 4th-grade textbook The Arizona Story, and his pictorial history, Arizona: Celebration of the Grand Canyon State, was a 2012 Southwest Books of the Year selection. Turner moved to Tucson in 1951, earned an MA in U.S. history in 1999, and has been teaching Arizona history for 47 years. His numerous books include: The Mighty Colorado from the Glaciers to the Gulf (2016), Four Corners USA: Wonders of the American Southwest (2018), and Arizona: A History of the Grand Canyon State (2021).

"Arizona's Cosmic Connections" with Marshall Shore
2025-03-19 13:00 - 14:15 | Fountain Hills Community Center, 13001 N La Montana Dr, Fountain Hills, AZ, 85268, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
This program celebrates Arizona’s multifaceted relationship with the universe, highlighting its significant contributions to space exploration, sustainability, research, and the enduring celestial stories of its Indigenous peoples. Join us as we journey through the Grand Canyon State’s rich heritage and innovative strides, showcasing how Arizona continues to illuminate our understanding of the stars and beyond.
This program is cohosted by Senior Services Inc. – Encore For More.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
An Emmy nomination for sharing Arizona history is just the latest recognition for Marshall Shore, Arizona’s Hip Historian. His passion is uncovering the weird, the wonderful, and the obscure treasures from our past: the semi-forgotten people, places, and events that have made us who we are today. Shore uses storytelling magic, found film footage, old photographs, ephemera, and artifacts to bring our state’s heritage to life in entertaining and educational presentations. He has developed an almost cult-like following for sharing history through in- person and virtual events.

"The Vanishing Trading Posts" with Christine Glenn & Sandy Sunseri
2025-03-17 18:30 - 20:00 | Springville Heritage Center, Johnson-Udall Room, 418 East Main Street, Springville, 85938, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
The stories of trading posts in the Southwest are a unique snapshot of life almost one hundred years ago. In the early 1900’s, trading posts in the Four corners flourished. There were over one hundred trading posts on the plateau, but today only five remain. Why did they vanish? The challenges and unexpected gifts of cross-cultural exchange are factors, as well as the social and economic changes on the reservation and across the country.
This program is cohosted by Arizona Archaeological Society – Little Colorado River Chapter.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Chris and Sandy have been speaking about the land and people of the Colorado Plateau since 2012, after completing docent training at the Museum of Northern Arizona. In-depth research and related interviews have resulted in lectures to their fellow docents, local social and educational groups, and at public venues such as Riordan Mansion in Flagstaff. Some topics are presented in costumes of the time period, at some we serve food, and in every case with a thorough exploration of the events and personalities of the time from multiple points of view.

"Seeing the Desert" with Gregory McNamee
2025-03-17 13:30 - 14:30 | Sun City West Sportman’s Club, 13800 W. Deer Valley Rd., Sun City West, 85375, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
Most Arizonans are not originally from Arizona, and most come from places that are far greener and milder of climate than our desert. For many of us, it takes a shift of eye and of attitude to appreciate this hot, dry place—but once it gets into one’s soul, there’s nowhere like it. This talk explains that transformation, drawing on the work of poets such as Joy Harjo, Richard Shelton, and Ofelia Zepeda; novelists such as Barbara Kingsolver and Edward Abbey, nonfiction writers such as Joseph Wood Krutch and Mary Austin, and much more, from Native American folktales to modern scientific insights, all accompanied by a rich slide show full of art and photography. With insights from literature, philosophy, art, neurology, and other fields, Gregory McNamee will discuss how we can learn to see the desert as a place of abundant life, abundant beauty, and abundant possibilities for happiness.
This program is cohosted by the Sun City West Sportsman’s Club.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Gregory McNamee is a prolific writer, editor, photographer, and publisher. He is the author of forty-five books and numerous articles and other publications. McNamee is a contributing editor to the Encyclopædia Britannica and a research fellow at the Southwest Center of the University of Arizona. For more information visit McNamee’s web page at www.gregorymcnamee.com.

"Growing in the Desert: The History & Culture of the Tohono O'odham" with Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan
2025-03-15 10:00 - 11:30 | Mohave County Library District – Lake Havasu City Branch Community Rooms A/B, 1770 McCulloch Blvd, Lake Havasu City, AZ, 86403, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
Many Arizonans call the Sonoran Desert and its striking landscapes home. Long before our urban centers and city lights lit up the dark desert skies, the Tohono O’odham were cultivating and shaping the land with abundant agriculture—from squash and beans to corn and cotton. For generations they passed down their rich knowledge and culture grown from their connection to the desert. Join us for a program with Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan as she shares her knowledge about the history and culture of her people, the Tohono O’odham.
This program is cohosted by Mohave County Library – Lake Havasu Branch.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan is Tohono O’odham and from the San Xavier District. She serves as faculty in the Tohono O’odham Studies Program at Tohono O’odham Community College. Dr. Ramon-Sauberan also serves as the Tohono O’odham Nation Education Development Liaison for Kitt Peak National Observatory. She earned her PhD in American Indian Studies with a minor in Journalism at the University of Arizona in May 2023. Her research focused on the history of land and water in the San Xavier District and she has written for news publications across the US including Indian Country Today.

"The Vanishing Trading Posts" with Christine Glenn & Sandy Sunseri
2025-03-14 18:30 - 19:30 | Winslow Chamber of Commerce, 523 W 2nd St, Winslow , AZ, 86047, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
The stories of trading posts in the Southwest are a unique snapshot of life almost one hundred years ago. In the early 1900’s, trading posts in the Four corners flourished. There were over one hundred trading posts on the plateau, but today only five remain. Why did they vanish? The challenges and unexpected gifts of cross-cultural exchange are factors, as well as the social and economic changes on the reservation and across the country.
This program is cohosted by the Winslow Chamber of Commerce .
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Chris and Sandy have been speaking about the land and people of the Colorado Plateau since 2012, after completing docent training at the Museum of Northern Arizona. In-depth research and related interviews have resulted in lectures to their fellow docents, local social and educational groups, and at public venues such as Riordan Mansion in Flagstaff. Some topics are presented in costumes of the time period, at some we serve food, and in every case with a thorough exploration of the events and personalities of the time from multiple points of view.

"100 Years Grand – The Story of Arizona Highways Magazine" with Win Holden
2025-03-12 17:00 - 18:30 | Scottsdale Public Library, 7377 E. Silverstone Drive, Scottsdale, 85255, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
April 2025 will mark Arizona Highways magazine’s 100th birthday. How did a brochure produced by the Arizona Highway Department become one of the most revered travel publications in the world? How has Arizona Highways remained relevant for a century while other national magazines have failed? Former Arizona Highways Publisher, Win Holden, will share the inside story of how this extraordinary publication has not only survived but thrived by attracting elite landscape photographers and using an unconventional publishing business model incorporating licensing, retailing and ancillary products. The presentation features dozens of historical and contemporary photographs telling the compelling story of a magazine that delivers over $65 million in annual economic impact to the state by captivating subscribers in all 50 states and 100 countries.
This program is cohosted by the Scottsdale Public Library.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Win Holden was named the sixth Publisher of Arizona Highways Magazine in May 2000. The publication is recognized as one of the finest travel magazines in the world. The magazine has over 120,000 subscribers in all 50 states and 100 countries. As Publisher, Mr. Holden led a diverse group of businesses centered on the world-renowned magazine including licensing, book publishing, calendars, e- commerce, new product development, product marketing and retailing. A Valley resident since 1980, Mr. Holden was recognized by the Arizona Office of Tourism and the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association as their 2017 and 2018 Lifetime Award recipient and received the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Business Journal. He was the 2007 inductee into the Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame.

"Authoring Home - Arizona's Indigenous and Chicano Literary History" with Oscar Mancinas
2025-03-10 18:00 - 19:00 | City of Surprise City Hall – City Council Chambers, 16000 N Civic Center Plaza, Surprise, AZ, 85374, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
Arizona is often thought of in the context of “The West,” that is, as a frontier that needed to be tamed and populated by settlers coming from the eastern and midwestern parts of the U.S. Literarily, this has meant that many stories from and about Arizona center settlers and their relationships not only to the landscape but to the people who were already residing within that landscape when they arrived, namely Indigenous and Mexican people. This presentation focuses on two early twentieth-century Arizona authors, Refugio Savala (Yoeme-Mexican) and Mario Suárez (Chicano), and details how their respective literary works helped give voice to people not otherwise represented in literature. Ultimately, though subtle, Savala and Suárez’s early work persists in the ways they influenced future generations of Indigenous and Mexican-American authors and projects within Arizona.
This program is cohosted by the City of Surprise – Art & Culture.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Oscar Mancinas is a Rarámuri-Chicano educator, poet, author, scholar, and organizer. He was born and raised in Mesa’s Washington-Escobedo neighborhood—where his family has resided since the 1950s. Oscar’s books, To Live and Die in El Valle and Des_____: Papeles, Palabras, & Poems from the Desert, have gained recognition from the Border Regional Library Association Southwest Book Awards, as well as the New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards and the Mesa Book Festival. He recently completed his doctorate in Transborder Studies at Arizona State University; he teaches creative writing and literary studies at Northern Arizona University.

"Access to Athletics for Girls and Women: The Life Work of Ina E. Gittings (1185-1966)" with Pamela Stewart
2025-03-06 16:00 - 17:00 | Red Mountian Library, Program Room, 635 N. Power Road, Mesa, AZ, 85205, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
Long before Title IX (a law which prohibits sex-based discrimination in schools that receive federal funding), Ina E. Gittings became the first university Director of Women’s Physical Education and Athletics in Arizona in 1920, where she would spend the rest of her life. Before arriving at University of Arizona and traveling the state to help develop women’s and girls’ athletic opportunities, the Nebraska Phi Beta Kappa, pole-vaulting, homesteading educator served in the US Army Medical Corps during World War I as a Reconstruction Aide—the world’s first generation of physical therapists. She followed this with a stint in humanitarian service aiding Armenian refugees in Turkey. Through this interactive presentation exploring the past and current landscape for women athletes, discover the significance of this fascinating individual whose very name marks Arizona’s map.
This program is cohosted by the Mesa Public Library – Red Mountain.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Pamela Stewart—historian, educator, and consultant with learning design expertise—has over 20 years of experience teaching wide-ranging history courses to non-majors at ASU and in public-facing contexts, including 55+ audiences and public art tours and educational presentations at Phoenix Art Museum. Retiring from ASU in 2022, her non-traditional academic career path has played a significant role in advocating the “doing” of history in ways that show the relevance and inclusive nature of thinking historically to address current challenges. She seeks to expand awareness of the fact that if we don’t know the history, we can’t solve the problem.

"The History Matters: Yours Too!" with Pamela Stewart
2025-03-04 14:30 - 16:00 | IMG_0038
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
Reasons exist for why people do not look to history to address today’s challenges. Yet actively engaging in historical thinking can reveal tools for solving problems faster and with greater success. Even as personal history can matter and the presentation is useful for those interests, this is not an introduction to genealogy class. The interactive, question-based presentation encourages attendees to share experiences that allow for new starting points for learning and reflection—and creating change. The class introduces how harnessing history to solve today’s problems works. It also shows how “doing” a bit of history can help us understand our own value in creating change, open up possibilities for creatively moving forward, and lead towards resolving problems, whether on a small or much larger scale.
This program is cohosted by the Apache Junction Library.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Pamela Stewart—historian, educator, and consultant with learning design expertise—has over 20 years of experience teaching wide-ranging history courses to non-majors at ASU and in public-facing contexts, including 55+ audiences and public art tours and educational presentations at Phoenix Art Museum. Retiring from ASU in 2022, her non-traditional academic career path has played a significant role in advocating the “doing” of history in ways that show the relevance and inclusive nature of thinking historically to address current challenges. She seeks to expand awareness of the fact that if we don’t know the history, we can’t solve the problem.

"The History and Mystery of the Gila River" with Christine Reid
2025-03-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Buckeye Valley Museum – 116 E. MC85, Buckeye, AZ 85326, 116 East MC85, Buckeye, 85326
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
Many people know about Arizona’s most famous river, the Colorado, but the often-forgotten Gila River has a rich and interesting history too. Reid will take the audience on a journey which begins in central New Mexico and joins the Gila River as it makes an historical journey through eastern and most of southern Arizona before joining the Colorado River. This program explores the geology that formed the Gila and the dinosaurs that splashed in it. You’ll learn about the history of prehistoric people who mastered and relied on the river. The human side of the Gila is brought to life through personal memoirs, field journals and anecdotes of the missionaries, explorers, and adventurers who followed it, to the pioneers who settled alongside it. The Gila River provided life giving water for agriculture, transportation, recreation, and inspiration for generations of people.
This program is cohosted by the Buckeye Valley Museum.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Christine Reid’s interest in Arizona’s diverse and rich western heritage developed and grew as a writer and researcher with the Pinal County Historical Museum and later as Community Scholar for the Anthem at Merrill Ranch continuing education program. Reid is committed to sharing the sometimes hidden or forgotten aspects of Arizona’s characters and history. Reid shares Arizona’s history in a relatable and engaging manner.

"Brighty of the Grand Canyon: Wild Donkeys of the West" with Kevin Schindler
2025-03-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Sam Garcia Library, 495 E. Western Ave, Avondale, 85323, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
Millions of people visit the Grand Canyon every year. Some people may be familiar with the burros that inhabit the land. But have you heard of the burro, Brighty? Marguerite Henry’s 1953 book, Brighty of the Grand Canyon, as well as the 1966 movie that it inspired, are fictionalized accounts of a real-life, free-spirited burro that roamed Grand Canyon from the 1890s – 1920s. This program will look at the story of Brighty, connecting real vs fictional Arizona heritage, and how his story helped lead to a change in the National Park Service’s policy of removing feral burros from Grand Canyon National Park.
This program is cohosted by the Avondale Public Library – Sam Garcia Library Branch.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Kevin Schindler is the historian at Lowell Observatory, where he has worked for 28 years as an active member of the Flagstaff history and science communities. Schindler has given more than 1,000 presentations and written more than 600 magazine and newspaper articles on subjects ranging from local history and astronomy to baseball and the Lincoln Memorial, and contributes a bi-weekly astronomy column, “View from Mars Hill”, for the Arizona Daily Sun newspaper. Schindler has written nine books, including Historic Tales of Flagstaff (written with Mike Kitt). Fun fact: Kevin has both a fossil crab and asteroid named after him.

Blue Corn Festival
2025-03-01 12:00 - 17:00 | Arizona Humanities, 1242 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, United States
Join us for the vibrant Blue Corn Festival at Arizona Humanities cohosted by NDN GIRLS BOOK CLUB where culture, community, and creativity come together in a celebration of food, art, and literature. Bring your family and friends to this free, family-friendly event and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Arizona. Whether you’re a food lover, an art enthusiast, or a poetry aficionado, there’s something for everyone at the Blue Corn Festival!
Official Registration:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/jbpqj7a

Registration for Alana Yazzie’s Food Demo:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/mehtb2s

"The Vanishing Trading Posts" with Christine Glenn/Sandy Sunseri
2025-02-28 15:00 - 16:00 | McFarland State Historic Park, 24 W. Ruggles St, Florence, AZ, 85132, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
The stories of trading posts in the Southwest are a unique snapshot of life almost one hundred years ago. In the early 1900’s, trading posts in the Four corners flourished. There were over one hundred trading posts on the plateau, but today only five remain. Why did they vanish? The challenges and unexpected gifts of cross-cultural exchange are factors, as well as the social and economic changes on the reservation and across the country.
This program is cohosted by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce – McFarland State Historic Park.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Chris and Sandy have been speaking about the land and people of the Colorado Plateau since 2012, after completing docent training at the Museum of Northern Arizona. In-depth research and related interviews have resulted in lectures to their fellow docents, local social and educational groups, and at public venues such as Riordan Mansion in Flagstaff. Some topics are presented in costumes of the time period, at some we serve food, and in every case with a thorough exploration of the events and personalities of the time from multiple points of view.

"Learning to Live Together: Martin Luther King Jr. and His Philosophy of the Beloved Community" with Jim McWilliams
2025-02-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Coolidge Public Library Program Room, 160 W Central Ave, Coolidge, AZ, 85128, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
One of the most important concepts in Martin Luther King Jr.’s teachings is the idea of “the beloved community,” the possibility of a society in which people from diverse backgrounds and economic circumstances learn to live together. Conflict in any society, he taught, is inevitable, but it can be resolved through non-violence and a commitment toward equal justice. This presentation will explore MLK’s ideas through the works of Charles Johnson, the National Book Award-winning novelist, who has written extensively about MLK and his philosophy. Together we will consider Johnson’s novel Dreamer (1998), which presents a fictionalized account of King’s summer in Chicago in 1966, and his short story “Dr. King’s Refrigerator” (2005), which imagines a midnight snack in 1954 for the man who was about to lead a Civil Rights revolution.
This program is cohosted by the Coolidge Public Library.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Following a career as an English professor, Jim McWilliams retired in May 2018 and moved to Tucson. His teaching and research focused on modern British and American literature. Since his retirement, Dr. McWilliams has spent his time taking courses, primarily in anthropology and archeology, and volunteering.

"The Selling of the Grand Canyon: the Santa Fe, Harvey Company and the El Tovar" with John Mack
2025-02-28 13:00 - 14:30 | Sedona Public Library in the Village, 25 W. Saddlehorn Road, Sedona, AZ, 86351, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
This presentation discusses the significance of the American Southwest in the early 20th century when national attention shifted to the canyons and deserts of the American Southwest. Although American scientists, artists, writers, fur traders, and explorers had been visiting the Southwest since the early 19th century, the arrival of the railroads eased access which in turn increased interest in both the natural and human history of the region. This presentation discusses the efforts of William Haskell Simpson (representing the Railroad) and the Harvey Company to coordinate, sustain, and profit from American interest in the region by building and then promoting the El Tovar at the Grand Canyon. Together the Railroad and Harvey Company played a pivotal role in creating the dominant mythology of the American Southwest.
This program is cohosted by the Sedona Public Library.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
John Mack is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a master’s degree in Russian history and a Ph.D. in American history. His book on the settlement of southeast Kansas, Bucking the Railroads on the Kansas Frontier: the struggle over land claims by homesteading Civil Veterans, 1867-1876, was published by McFarland Press in 2012. Dr. Mack has published multiple peer- reviewed articles on aspects of both Russian and US history.

"Growing in the Desert: The History & Culture of the Tohono O'odham" with Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan
2025-02-27 18:30 - 19:45 | Foothills Library, 19055 N 57th Ave, Glendale, AZ, 85308, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
Many Arizonans call the Sonoran Desert and its striking landscapes home. Long before our urban centers and city lights lit up the dark desert skies, the Tohono O’odham were cultivating and shaping the land with abundant agriculture—from squash and beans to corn and cotton. For generations they passed down their rich knowledge and culture grown from their connection to the desert. Join us for a program with Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan as she shares her knowledge about the history and culture of her people, the Tohono O’odham.
This program is cohosted by Glendale Public Library – Foothills Library.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan is Tohono O’odham and from the San Xavier District. She serves as faculty in the Tohono O’odham Studies Program at Tohono O’odham Community College. Dr. Ramon-Sauberan also serves as the Tohono O’odham Nation Education Development Liaison for Kitt Peak National Observatory. She earned her PhD in American Indian Studies with a minor in Journalism at the University of Arizona in May 2023. Her research focused on the history of land and water in the San Xavier District and she has written for news publications across the US including Indian Country Today.

"Coded Messages and Songs of the Underground Railroad" with Tamika Sanders
2025-02-27 16:00 - 17:00 | Red Mountian Library, Program Room, 635 N. Power Road, Mesa, AZ, 85205, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
Communication and secrecy were key to the successful operation of the Underground Railroad. Safety was more important than quickness. Both fugitive slaves and members of the Underground Railroad learned to code and decode hidden messages, and to disguise signs to avoid capture. There were code names for towns on the routes and code numbers for towns. There were signs and songs. A quilt hanging on a clothesline with a house and a smoking chimney among its designs indicated a safe house. The song, “Follow the Drinking Gourd” served as directions to Canada. Using storytelling, activities and songs, Dr. Sanders depicts the ingenuity and resiliency of those who used the Underground Railroad to help over 100,000 slaves escape to freedom between 1810 and 1850.
This program is cohosted by Mesa Public Library – Red Mountain.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Tamika Sanders started her company Savvy Pen to provide interactive programs that incorporate arts learning and multicultural training to bridge cultural and socioeconomic divides between educators and students. Her work brings diverse real-world perspectives to programming initiatives and creates strategic community partnerships that can generate revenue and provide access to resources and opportunities for marginalized groups. In 2009, Dr. Sanders collaborated with the Bi-National Arts Residency (BNAR), which connects cultural communities in the Sonoran Desert on issues of social justice and identity through art. Dr. Sanders hopes to continue using the arts to break barriers, unite people, and create social change.

"100 Years Grand – The Story of Arizona Highways Magazine" with Win Holden
2025-02-25 18:00 - 19:30 | The Holland Center, 34250 N 60th Street Bldg B, Scottsdale, 85266, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
April 2025 will mark Arizona Highways magazine’s 100th birthday. How did a brochure produced by the Arizona Highway Department become one of the most revered travel publications in the world? How has Arizona Highways remained relevant for a century while other national magazines have failed? Former Arizona Highways Publisher, Win Holden, will share the inside story of how this extraordinary publication has not only survived but thrived by attracting elite landscape photographers and using an unconventional publishing business model incorporating licensing, retailing and ancillary products. The presentation features dozens of historical and contemporary photographs telling the compelling story of a magazine that delivers over $65 million in annual economic impact to the state by captivating subscribers in all 50 states and 100 countries.
This program is cohosted by the Foothills Community Foundation.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Win Holden was named the sixth Publisher of Arizona Highways Magazine in May 2000. The publication is recognized as one of the finest travel magazines in the world. The magazine has over 120,000 subscribers in all 50 states and 100 countries. As Publisher, Mr. Holden led a diverse group of businesses centered on the world-renowned magazine including licensing, book publishing, calendars, e- commerce, new product development, product marketing and retailing. A Valley resident since 1980, Mr. Holden was recognized by the Arizona Office of Tourism and the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association as their 2017 and 2018 Lifetime Award recipient and received the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Business Journal. He was the 2007 inductee into the Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame.

"The Colorado River and its Wonders: A Study in Water Use and Conservation" with Jim Turner
2025-02-25 18:00 - 19:30 | Mohave County Library District – Lake Havasu City Branch Community Rooms A/B, 1770 McCulloch Blvd, Lake Havasu City, AZ, 86403, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
The Colorado River is a critical source of the West’s water supply, supporting 40 million people, nearly 6 million acres of agriculture, and tribes across seven states and portions of Mexico. At 1,450 miles long the Colorado River is the sixth longest river in the United States. The river flows through seven states and covers 244,000 square miles, about 1/12th of the United States. Known for its dramatic canyons, whitewater rapids, and eleven U.S. National Parks, the Colorado River and its tributaries are a vital source of water. An extensive system of dams, reservoirs, and aqueducts divert almost its flow for agricultural irrigation and urban water supply. Its large flow and steep gradient (10,184 ft above sea level to 58 feet in the Mexicali Valley) are used to generate hydroelectric power to several western states and Nebraska. This presentation discusses the geology, geography, exploration, national parks, and the state of the river today with its natural beauty, current difficulties, and solutions.
This program is cohosted by the Mohave County Library – Lake Havasu Branch.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Arizona Historical Society’s beloved historian, Jim Turner, has worked with more than seventy local history museums. He co-authored the 4th-grade textbook The Arizona Story, and his pictorial history, Arizona: Celebration of the Grand Canyon State, was a 2012 Southwest Books of the Year selection. Turner moved to Tucson in 1951, earned an MA in U.S. history in 1999, and has been teaching Arizona history for 47 years. His numerous books include: The Mighty Colorado from the Glaciers to the Gulf (2016), Four Corners USA: Wonders of the American Southwest (2018), and Arizona: A History of the Grand Canyon State (2021). jimturnerhistorian.org

"Arizona's Cosmic Connections" with Marshall Shore
2025-02-25 17:30 - 18:45 | Christine Coe
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
This program celebrates Arizona’s multifaceted relationship with the universe, highlighting its significant contributions to space exploration, sustainability, research, and the enduring celestial stories of its Indigenous peoples. Join us as we journey through the Grand Canyon State’s rich heritage and innovative strides, showcasing how Arizona continues to illuminate our understanding of the stars and beyond.
This program is cohosted by the Copper Queen Library.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
An Emmy nomination for sharing Arizona history is just the latest recognition for Marshall Shore, Arizona’s Hip Historian. His passion is uncovering the weird, the wonderful, and the obscure treasures from our past: the semi-forgotten people, places, and events that have made us who we are today. Shore uses storytelling magic, found film footage, old photographs, ephemera, and artifacts to bring our state’s heritage to life in entertaining and educational presentations. He has developed an almost cult-like following for sharing history through in- person and virtual events.

"Jerome – Too Stubborn to Die – How the Town Survived Numerous “Near-Death” Experiences " with Jay Mark
2025-02-25 14:30 - 16:00 | IMG_0038
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
Numerous fires, landslides, floods, labor strikes, polluted air, epidemics, Depression, recessions, financial collapse, one adversity after another. Any one of these might spell the end of a lesser community. But, in Arizona, one town survived these “near-death” experiences, and more; yet managed to survive. Some might even say, “thrive.” This presentation looks at the numerous disasters, tragedies and setbacks Jerome faced in its first ¾ century. And still come out on top. From the time in prehistory when the Sinagua’s mined copper for decoration and ornamentation, to the Spanish exploring for gold and silver, to the modern discoveries of copper riches all within Cleopatra Hill, Jerome exploded to the 4th largest city in Arizona. Less than half-a-century later, its numbers had dwindled to 243. How Jerome remade itself from a major mining center into a tourist-filled, living Ghost Town is a fascinating tale that features many seldom images.
This program is cohosted by the Apache Junction Library.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Historian Jay Mark’s career includes antiques & bookstore owner, commercial photography, professional theater, radio, and television broadcaster. His background, knowledge and experience contribute to his lively and engaging presentations. A regular contributor of history- related articles to the Antique Register; Arizona Contractor & Community, and The Arizona Republic, Jay is also a published writer of seven antiques-related books. He is co-author of a history of The Buckhorn Baths in Mesa. Mark has received numerous awards honoring his service to the community, including the Governor’s Heritage award of the Arizona Preservation Foundation, and the State Historic Preservation Office. Mark remains actively engaged in issues relating to historic preservation, history museums, urban planning, and public policy.

"Connections to Holistic Material: Native Culture Today and Tomorrow " with Yolanda Hart Stevens
2025-02-20 18:00 - 19:00 | S’edav Va’aki Museum, 4619 E Washington St, Phoenix, 85034, United States
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
From birth to death, the mesquite tree is an integral part of life for many who call the desert home. The mesquite tree is just one of many holistic materials, elements of our natural environment, that are vital to sustaining Native culture and practices. But climate change and environmental degradation are changing the landscapes of Arizona. From the lack of water resources to the loss of mesquite trees, the future is uncertain. Join us for a program about water, land, and the environmental challenges impacting Native communities.
This program is cohosted by Pueblo Grande Museum Auxiliary.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Yolanda Hart Stevens is an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community, Pee-Posh/Quechan, and currently resides in the village of Komatke, AZ. Hart Stevens is a successful artist and community activist, performing at notable events such as Super Bowl XLII, The National Congress of the American Indian, and serving in highly-regarded positions such as the Smithsonian Institution American Community Scholar and a member of the Kennedy Center for Arts and Education. As an artist in residence at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, and as a teacher of beadwork, she has developed programs to promote a clearer understanding of the people of the Southwest through their history, clothing, and decoration. She teaches a variety of beading techniques, including lazy stitch, edging and peyote stitch at various locals throughout the valley. Hart Stevens is passionate about maintaining a dialogue with her elders, contributing her skill of beadwork, and sharing the given knowledge with her family and young people. She is actively participating in training from Yuman tribal elders.
