Dawn Gibbons, Nevada’s 28th First Lady, former State Assemblyman, and successful business owner, has led an interesting life. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Dawn moved to Nevada in 1974. She worked for her mother and stepfather in their wedding chapel businesses and graduated from UNR. At the age of 28 in 1982 she purchased the business from her parents. She married Jim Gibbons in 1986 and the couple’s political lives began in 1988 when Jim won election to the State Assembly. Filling in for him while he was serving in the 1991 Persian Gulf war, she won three terms on her own (1998-2004). Alongside her legislative career, she served as the wife of U.S. Representative Jim Gibbons (1997-2006) and Nevada First Lady (2007-2010). Dawn’s legislative accomplishments were centered around combatting methamphetamine abuse and autism awareness in children. She is currently a Commissioner for the Nevada Transportation Authority.
Dawn Gibbons, First Lady of Nevada 2007-2010, was interviewed by the Nevada Women’s History Project on September 22, 2021, through a grant from the Estelle J. Kelsey Foundation.