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Four Las Cruces women were hailed as ‘trailblazers’ as they were named 2024 Women in American History by the Doña Ana County chapter of the New Mexico Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.According to a news release, honorees are selected for their contributions as intellectual, educational, social, religious, political, scientific or cultural innovators.
The 2024 honorees include New Mexico State University professor emeritus Jerry Ann Alt; former legislator Mary Jane Garcia, who died in January; former educator and business woman Elisabeth Caryl Porter; and anthropologist Wenda Trevathan, also retired from NMSU.
Alt was selected, per the announcement, for her 26-year tenure as director of choral activities until her 2012 retirement, building an “elite” choir and expanding a program that trained music teachers who went on to teach throughout New Mexico. Alt now lives out of state but continues to be involved with Bella Voce de Las Cruces, a touring ensemble that promotes the development and appreciation of choral singing.
Porter, born and raised in Las Cruces, taught in the Gadsden Independent School District, the release stated, later turning to fine housewares and eventually moving to London, where her investment led to the recovery of antique Chinese porcelain from a 1752 shipwreck, establishing her as an eminent porcelain dealer before returning to New Mexico to paint.
Former Sen. Mary Jane Garcia served in the legislature for 24 years. She was born in Doña Ana and renowned for her work passing laws protecting children and families and survivors of domestic abuse, as well as her efforts on behalf of youth, animal rights, border issues, historic preservation and a range of other issues. She was also owner of multiple businesses in the community.
Trevathan is a biological anthropologist researching evolutionary and biocultural factors underlying human reproduction including childbirth, maternal behavior, sexuality, menopause and evolutionary medicine, per the news release, which cited her study of the 3.7 million-year-old hominin fossil Lucy. DAR stated that Trevathan taught 4,000 students as a faculty member at NMSU, and now lives in Santa Fe working as a senior scholar for the School for Advanced Research.
