Seven honored in remembering project

by Sharlene Irete

People Editor

Seven women nominated for contributing to the quality of life in Douglas County will be honored in a reception for the 2009 Douglas County Historical Society's Women in History Award,2-4 p.m. March 28, at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center, 1477 Highway 395, Gardnerville. Information, 782-2555.

This year's inductees are:

n Mattie Jepsen, 1873-1944. "Mattie was not a headliner, rather she was one of those unsung heroes of the home front," is how Mattie Jepsen was described. She was wife of Hans Christian Jepsen, who was Douglas County clerk from 1900-23.

Mattie Jepsen was recognized in the Women's History Remembering Project for raising her orphaned nieces and participating in the International Order of Foresters, American Legion, Odd Fellows and Rebekahs organizations.

n Freida Sarman Pitts, 1906-1991. "Frieda never had children of her own, but was often known as a mother of many," was said of Pitts.

After the death of her husband, Pitts was asked by Dr. E.G. Hand of Gardnerville to open a maternity home. She turned her living room and bedroom into a maternity home in 1943 and operated it until 1954 when state requirements made it necessary for babies to be born at registered hospitals.

There were 159 babies born in the maternity home with no deaths. Dr. Hand was called when the mothers were having their babies, but Pitts provided the care for the mothers and babies, baby-sitting and doing laundry with a wringer washing machine.

n Deborah Byers, 1944-2006, was born in Freida Pitts' maternity home in Gardnerville and spent her life in Carson Valley. She was in the third graduating class from the Douglas County High School in what is now Carson Valley Middle School.

Byers is known for her work as the second director of the Carson Valley Museum, painting faces at the East Fork Gallery's scarecrow festival, acting in the museum's production of "Return to Whistlestop," and portraying her grandmother Augusta Hellwinkel in the Ghost Walk at the Garden Cemetery.

n Cindy McIntosh died in 2007 but her during her time in Carson Valley she was involved with children, music and various projects at Carson Valley United Methodist Church, Carson Valley Community Food Closet and Trick or Treat Safety Street.

"Cindy was an inspiration to many people but never asked for praisee. She acted selflessly and did so much because contributing to her community made her happy," was said about her in her nomination.

n Luetta Bergevin grew up in Gardnerville, and was a nurse during World War II, was the head nurse and obstetrics supervisor at Washoe Medical Center in Reno and worked at Carson-Tahoe Hospital. She volunteered to give the first polio shots in Carson Valley.

Bergevin was active in the East Fork Gallery, Douglas County Republican Women's Club, Carson Valley Literary Club, has been on the Douglas County Historical Society Board of Trustees and was president of the Nevada State CowBelles, now the Cattlewomen.

n Grace Bower has been involved as a volunteer in the Douglas County Sheriff's Department, in children's reading programs, with the Douglas Animal Welfare Group and the historical society.

She is recognized for her work as president of the Douglas County Historical Society " writing grants for funding, organizing museum fundraising events and inspiring the formation of the Young Chautauqua program.

"Grace is a wonderful and dedicated woman with heart and great passion for her endeavors," wrote the person who nominated her.

n Sue Smith is a relative newcomer to Carson Valley but has been recognized for supporting the historical society by producing, directing and performing in museum melodramas and organizing the monthly lecture series at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center.

"We owe much to people like Sue who use talent and boundless energy to make life more interesting, meaningful and valuable for the rest of us," was said about Smith in her nomination.