Douglas County women to be honored

March is national Women in History Month and the Douglas County Historical Society will be honoring five Douglas County women at a reception on Sunday. The reception, which is open to the public, will be held at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville, starting at 2 p.m. This event is one of many activities that the society sponsors to preserve important county history.

"Beauty, Brains and Brawn" is the theme for this year's Women in History Remember Project. This project collects biographies of women, living or deceased, who live or have lived in Douglas County and who have significantly contributed to the history and quality of life in Douglas County. The biographies are archived at the museum in the VanSickle Research Library and with the Jean Ford Nevada Women's History Project in Reno.

The 2007 honorees are home-based businesswoman Debra Jean Bacchi, nominated by Michael Smith; Minden businesswoman Paula M. Reed, nominated by Brett Reed and Karen McGee; Douglas County educator Elizabeth D. Ellis, nominated by Christa Ellis; Carson Valley pioneer Sarah Jane Kinsey, nominated by Laurie Hickey; and master basket weaver JoAnn Smokey Martinez, nominated by Sherry Smokey.

Memorabilia of the honorees will be on display at the museum and refreshments will be served following the program. There is no admission charge for this special event.

Sponsors of the event are A Wildflower, Just Roses, Montbleu Resort, Spa & Casino and The Record-Courier. Suzi McMillian contributed flowers, as well.