FORT MCDOWELL LIBRARY HONORS SIX WOMEN FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
By Harrison J. Bahe
On March 31, 2025, the Fort McDowell Library hosted a special event in honor of Women’s History Month, celebrating the achievements of six exemplary tribal members from the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Each honoree was awarded a medal recognizing their contributions to the community. Women’s History Month is a time to acknowledge the impact of women throughout American history across various fields, and this event was a testament to that spirit.
Verlene Baptisto began her career at the Fort McDowell Casino, working in the Food and Beverage department for five years before transitioning to the Fort McDowell Tribal Government, where she held various positions for approximately 17 years. In February 2018, she was inaugurated as the Tribal Secretary of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, a position she continues to hold. She is also an active member and Session Member of the Fort McDowell Presbyterian Church. Grateful for the recognition, Verlene expressed her appreciation to the library for acknowledging her during Women’s History Month.
Gail Hunnicutt was born in Phoenix, AZ, on February 20, 1968, she was raised in Fort McDowell by her mother, Joseline Hunnicutt, stepfather Bill Green, and her grandparents, Josephine and Frank Harrison. At just 16, she earned her GED, driver’s license, and a Plastering Certificate while attending the Phoenix Job Corps. She worked in construction, leaving a personal mark by plastering her daughter’s name, Shapre’, on a Bashas’ Plaza in Guadalupe. Gail also held various positions at the Fort McDowell Ba’ja Bingo Hall. After surviving a stroke in 2012, she pursued further education, earning a Certificate in Medical Administration Assistance from Carrington College. She later became a Notary Public and Deputy Registrar with the Maricopa County Election Department, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, Frank Harrison, and Harry Austin, who won the right to vote for Native Americans on July 15, 1948.
Stella Reed joined the Wassaja Memorial Health Center in 2015, where she plays a crucial role in patient care registration, assisting at the front desk, verifying insurance, and managing electronic medical records. Before her current position, she served as Staff Assistant to former Tribal Vice President Bernadine Burnette. Stella cherishes both roles, as they allow her to engage with tribal and community members on both personal and professional levels. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her daughters, family, and friends, and she avidly supports her niece and nephews in their sports endeavors.
Imogene Hosay is the granddaughter of Bessie and Tom Mike. Due to her mother’s struggles with alcoholism, six of her nine siblings were placed in foster care. For the first eight years of her life, she lived on a five-acre orchard in South Phoenix with two of her biological siblings before being placed in various foster and group homes across Arizona. As a teenager, she relocated to Algonquin, Illinois, with the Carleno foster family. In her twenties, she returned to Fort McDowell, working as a keno writer at the newly built casino before pursuing a degree in finance and accounting. Over the course of 20 years, she served the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Imogene is also the founder of Beyond Resilient, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment for Native American foster and kinship children by instilling cultural and traditional values. “All my trials and tribulations have taught me self-reliance and strength, and they have compelled me to help children who need it most,” Imogene shared.
Connie Gail Pattea Tyochivel Dennis was also recognized for her dedication and perseverance. As the wife of Moses Tyochivel Dennis of Abuja, Nigeria, she has come to appreciate the value of partnership and support. In her role as a VIP Host at the We-Ko-Pa Casino and Resort, she takes pride in creating memorable experiences for guests. Passionate about education, she has earned two associate degrees in criminal justice and Bible for Leadership Ministry within seven years and is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in leadership ministry. A firm believer in personal growth, she credits the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program and the transformative 12 Steps for giving her the strength, resilience, and confidence to achieve her goals. “Through my journey, I’ve learned the importance of surrounding myself with positive influences and supportive people who uplift and empower me,” she shared.
Mona Jones grew up in the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation before the neighboring towns of Fountain Hills and Rio Verde were developed, she was actively involved in the Presbyterian Church and participated in Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. She attended Mesa Public Schools, excelling in academics while playing fast-pitch softball as a catcher and participating in basketball, marching band, chorus, and the Girls Athletic Association (GAA). A dedicated student, she took pre-college courses and later earned an Associate of Arts degree in Accounting and Business Management, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Human Resources. She worked full-time while pursuing her education, gaining valuable experience as a temporary employee for companies such as Westinghouse, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, and IBM before securing positions at MD Helicopters (now Boeing) and Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold (formerly Phelps Dodge). Her tenure at these Fortune 500 companies exposed her to a diverse range of people and experiences from across the U.S. and beyond.
Each of these six remarkable women received a medal inscribed with their names, a symbol of appreciation for their dedication and impact on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Through their hard work and perseverance in various fields, they continue to inspire future generations. The Fort McDowell Library, along with the entire community, proudly celebrates their contributions and looks forward to the continued influence they will have on the tribe and beyond.