We decided to ask some first ladies a little closer to home about what it was like to take on such a big role and what their inaugural experiences were like from their gowns to life in the Governor’s Mansion. Nevada former First Ladies Kathy List, Bonnie Bryan and Sandy Miller were only too happy to oblige our whim. We met with them at Trump Hotel Las Vegas as they revealed tidbits about their lives as they unfolded in the state’s capitol of Carson City.

Nevada First Lady Kathryn (Geary) List, 1979-1983

During your reign in Carson City, what was your pet project as first lady?
We had two main things we pursued. There were no permanent paintings in the mansion. So we started Friends of the Mansion which involved a committee that would choose works of art by Nevada artists to show in the Mansion in three-month increments. Our other project centered on functions for disabled children. We tried to have events and create an awareness of the disabled.

What is most memorable about your inaugural ball?
I remember how excited my whole family was, especially my youngest daughter, Michelle, who celebrated her sixth birthday, January 6th, that day. She wanted to know if everyone attending the Inaugural Ball was bringing her a present. Of course, she didn’t know how big or what the ball would be like.

What’s your favorite memory from your experience as First Lady?
One of the very best things that occurred while I was First Lady of Nevada is how much I learned about our beautiful state—from the energy and bustle of Las Vegas to the people in our smaller rural communities. It was such an honor to meet Nevadans from all different walks of life.
The presidential inauguration was also quite a thrill. We went back to President Reagan’s inauguration. They would provide you with a driver and there were fireworks. We also went to the National Governor’s Conference every year, which included dinner at the White House. It’s a very stately affair, the Marines announce you as you come in the room. I remember during one trip to Washington, all the first ladies (from the states) were given a personal tour of the Vice Presidential mansion by Barbara Bush.

What is your favorite thing about living up north?
I loved raising my children in Carson City. It’s a great place to raise children. The kids could ride their bikes everywhere. There are four different seasons, lots of outdoor activities, and it’s in close proximity to San Francisco and Napa Valley.

What are you most passionate about these days?
My three children and two grandchildren. I love spending time with family. I took a trip to France last year with my children.

Do you have a favorite charity you support?
My favorite charity is the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I am also on UNR’s Friends of Library Board and was on the Foundation.

Are you active at all politically? No.

What are you doing now?
I am selling real estate. I love doing that and helping people find the right place.

Favorite Book: “Gone with the Wind”, I have read it two or three times.

Favorite Movie: “Dr. Zhivago” and “The Big Chill”

Favorite Restaurant: La Familia restaurant in Reno

Favorite Musical Group or Singer:
Elton John and Il Divo

Favorite Way to Unwind:
Hiking in Lake Tahoe and Reno and spending time outdoors.

Nevada First Lady Bonnie (Fairchild) Bryan, 1983-1989

During your reign in Carson City, what was your pet project as first lady?
We pursued literacy issues on all different levels as well as a prescription drug program for seniors. We also started a Safe Ride Project that made sure high schoolers got home safe every Friday night.

What is your most memorable inaugural ball moment?
It was definitely being on the stage with Dick and my children, and having are families participate in the inaugural ball festivities.

What’s your favorite memory from your experience as First Lady?
The state dinners at the White House were wonderful. A little closer to home, we enjoyed the trick-or-treaters at the Governor’s Mansion. We would get on average about 1300 people and we would pass out popcorn. That was a tradition that was started by the Laxalts (Paul Laxalt was the 22nd governor of Nevada) in honor of Nevada Day, which commemorates the admission of the state of Nevada into the union on October 31, 1864.

What was your favorite thing about living in Carson City?
I loved having our kids grow up in a small town. It was great being able to walk everywhere.

What are you most passionate about these days?
My family; I have been married 46 years and have three wonderful children.

Do you have a favorite charity you support?
We contribute to so many but I am especially fond of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Are you active at all politically?
I’m on the fringes. I am a real political junkie. I didn’t want the election to end. I loved watching CNN.

What are you doing now?
Playing and babysitting my six grandchildren.

Favorite Book:
“London” by Edward Rutherford

Favorite Movie:
“Casablanca” followed by “When Harry Met Sally”

Favorite Restaurant: Flemings

Favorite Musical Group or Singer: Kingston Trio

Favorite Way to Unwind:
Enjoying a glass of wine with her husband

Nevada First Lady Sandy (Searles) Miller, 1989-1999

During your reign in Carson City, what was your pet project as first lady?
We did a lot with children, especially healthcare. We wanted to get more children immunized and so we started a program called “Baby Your Baby”. In 1989 27% of two year olds in Nevada were fully immunized, with our program in full gear by 1998 78% were immunized.

What is your most memorable inaugural ball moment?
It had to be losing Ivana Trump’s earring. It was on loan, I flicked my head and it flew off. Of course, we did find it as she would have noticed if we just returned one.

What’s your favorite memory from your experience as First Lady?
It was probably the people that we got to meet and people that would come to the Mansion. Arnold Schwarzenegger came to the Mansion because he was traveling around the country to promote children’s fitness as chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. It was fun to meet him. I also loved the Desert Research Institute’s Nevada Medal Dinner each year. I got the most excited about meeting the scientists.

What was it like to have such young children while living in the Governor’s Mansion?
Megan was born in the mansion. It made the house lively and fun. It gives the house more of homey feeling. It became a hangout, we would host slumber parties and all of the parents felt really safe letting their children hang out there.

What was your favorite thing about living in Carson City?
It was the small size and nice environment. It was a big luxury to live in a small town. The standard was different, when the kids went to prom there were no limos, everybody bought their dresses at Macys, it was nice.

What are you most passionate about these days?
I still work in education. I am on the board of the Mackay School of Mines, and I still volunteer at Sandy Miller Elementary School.

Do you have a favorite charity you support?
I am on the Teach for America Board, the Sunrise Hospital Board, and we support the Nevada Cancer Institute.

Are you active at all politically?
On a local level, my son is Secretary of State Ross Miller. As far as national politics, we had both Clinton and Obama staffers stay in our home during the election cycle.

Favorite Book:
“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” by Jean-Dominique Bauby

Favorite Movie: “Across the Universe”

Favorite Restaurant: Tuscany Grill in Henderson

Favorite Musical Group or Singer: The Beatles

Favorite Way to Unwind:
Reading or spending time with my grandchildren.