Background
Gafford, Mary May was born on January 4, 1936 in Paris, Texas, United States. Daughter of Benjamin Earl and Mary Elizabeth (Perfect) Grimes.
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Mary May Grimes Gafford
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Mary May Grimes Gafford, American humanities educator. Named Outstanding Woman of Las Vegas, Las Vegas Museum, Outstanding Volunteer, Department Veterinary Affairs; recipient National Defense Education Act award, University Alaska, Fairbanks, 1966, Spanish Institute California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, 1968, Las Vegas Centennial award, Wall of Women, 2005, Pin recognition 25 years service, Super Summer Theatre Board.
Education
Bachelor in English and Social Studies, North Texas State University, Denton, 1957. Master of Arts in English, Spanish and History, North Texas State University, Denton, 1958. Postgraduate, University Nevada, 1970.
Career
Teacher English, Alpine (Texas) Public Schools, 1959-1961; teacher English and history, Houston School District, 1957-1958; teacher English and Spanish, Grapevine (Texas) School District, 1958-1959; teacher English and Spanish, Amarillo (Texas) School District, 1962-1965; teacher English, Spanish and Journalism, Fabens (Texas) Schools, 1965-1967; teacher English and Spanish, Flagstaff (Arizona) Schools, 1967-1968; teacher English and Spanish, Mesa County Schools, Grand Junction, Colorado, 1968-1971; teacher English, Clark County Schools, Las Vegas, Nevada, since 1976.
Achievements
Membership
Volunteer American Cancer Society, Las Vegas, since 1974, Very Special Arts Festival, 1990—1992, youth health fair Nevada Business Services, Las Vegas, 1989. Member Nevada Symphony Guild. Chair Christopher Columbus Quincentennial, since 1990.
Publicist Nevada Women's History Project, 1998—2002, 1st vice president southern region, state secretary, since 2004, president, 2008—2010, state secretary, 2003—2005. 1st vice president SNWHP, since 2010. Cultural chair Roy Martin Middle School, 2000—2003.
Charter member Desert Arts Nevada, Inc., publicist, 2005—2007. Publicist, member publicity committee Super Summer Theatre, 2005—2007. President Southern Nevada Women's History Project, since 2009.
Committee member Oldest Las Vegas Women's Civic Organization, Mesquite Club Las Vegas Centennial. Volunteer Southern Nevada Democrats, Las Vegas, 1980. Board directors, hospitality chair Summer Theatre, 2003—2006.
Cultural arts board State Parks, 1990—2001. Member of American Association of University Women (president 1976-1977, life chair teen-age pregnancy study group chapter 1983-1992, chair coupon clippers 1984-1993), Daughters of the American Revolution (Francisco Garcés chapter, vice-regent 1983-1990, regent 1990-1992, chair Christopher Columbus Quincentennial since 1990, chair World War II 50th Anniversary Commemoration since 1992, chair United States Constitution week since 1992, Nevada state chair committee American Indians 2004-2009, Nevada state nominating committee 2006, Sarah Winnemucca award for service 2003), Society Nevada Teachers English, Clark County Classroom Teachers, Friends Classic Las Vegas (charter member, chair publicity 2007-2008), Daughters Confederacy (Southern Nevada charter member, vice president), Sons and Daughters Pilgrims Southern Nevada (charter member since 2003), Nevada Society Descendants Mayflower (lieutenant governor since 1997, state secretary 2002-2008), Cameo Society, Las Vegas Towne Club, Las Vegas Mesquite Club (chairman donations for community 2007, educational interest chair 2007, chair cultural affairs 2008), Paradise Democratic Club, Pilot Club (president 1989-1990, hospitality chair 1993).
Interests
Connections
Married Frank Hall Gafford, December 31, 1958 (deceased May 2003). Children: Michelle Marguerite, Georgette Marie.
Education
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1957
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1958
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1970
Awards
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Named Outstanding Woman of Las Vegas, Las Vegas Museum, Outstanding Volunteer, Department Veterinary Affairs. Recipient National Defense Education Act award, University Alaska, Fairbanks, 1966, Spanish Institute California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, 1968, Las Vegas Centennial award, Wall of Women, 2005, Pin recognition 25 years service, Super Summer Theatre Board.Named Outstanding Woman of Las Vegas, Las Vegas Museum, Outstanding Volunteer, Department Veterinary Affairs. Recipient National Defense Education Act award, University Alaska, Fairbanks, 1966, Spanish Institute California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, 1968, Las Vegas Centennial award, Wall of Women, 2005, Pin recognition 25 years service, Super Summer Theatre Board.