Mary Thomas (politician)
Mary Thomas | |
|---|---|
| Governor of the Gila River Indian Community | |
| In office 1994–2000 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas R. White |
| Succeeded by | Donald Antone |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 29, 1944 Phoenix, Arizona |
| Died | August 21, 2014 (aged 70) Chandler, Arizona |
| Spouse | George Thomas |
Mary V. Thomas (April 29, 1944 – August 21, 2014) was an American
Biography
Early life
Thomas, a member of the
Political career
Mary Thomas had previously served on the Gila River council during the 1980s. In 1990, Gila River Governor Thomas White asked her to run for
Thomas was a strong proponent of utilizing
Under Governor Thomas, the Gila River Indian Community established its own, independent police and fire departments.[1] She also oversaw plans to build a new hospital on the reservation.[1] Her two terms were not without some political disputes. Thomas survived an effort to recall her from office in 1998.[1]
Thomas left office in 2000. She ran as a candidate for the Arizona House of Representatives in 2000, but lost the election.[1] Thomas was frequently mentioned as a potential candidate for the United States House of Representatives within political circles in Arizona and Washington D.C. during the 2000s.[1] However, she returned her focus back to the Gila River Indian Community and tribal issues.[1] She was elected Lieutenant Governor of Gila River Indian Community in 2003 for her second, non-consecutive term in that office (She had previously served as Lt. Governor from 1990 to 1994).[1] She unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Gila River Indian Community in 2011.[1]
The University of Arizona honored Thomas by adding her to the school's Women's Plaza of Honor in April 2012.[1]
Mary Thomas died from an undisclosed illness at Chandler Regional Medical Center in Chandler, Arizona, on August 21, 2014, at the age of 70.[1][3] A widow, Thomas was a resident of Sacaton, Arizona.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y McKinnon, Shaun (2014-08-22). "Mary Thomas, first woman to lead Gila River, dies at 70". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
- ^ Jackson, Roberto A. (2014-09-05). "Former Gov. Mary Thomas Passes Away at the Age of 70". Gila River Indian Community. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
- ^ Azcentral.com. 2014-08-27. Retrieved 2014-10-05.