3 powerful women in Nev. gaming tell their stories
By Jane Ann Morrison, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Three powerful women who carved out roles in Nevada’s gaming industry as it moved away from gambling halls to megaresorts shared their stories at the Mob Museum on Wednesday, riveting an audience with their substance and humor.
Patricia Becker, the first and so far the only woman appointed to the Gaming Control Board, described how she was dubbed “Pretty Patty” by a writer when she was appointed 20 years ago, yet casino owners were fearful she would be too tough on them.
Jan Jones Blackhurst, who came to Las Vegas to boost her family’s grocery store sales, became the first female mayor of Las Vegas in 1991 and is vice president of communications and government relations at Caesars Entertainment Corp.
Elaine Wynn moved to Las Vegas in 1967 as a wife and mother and created the “Wynn lifestyle” with her ex-husband at The Mirage, Treasure Island, Bellagio, Wynn Las Vegas, Encore and Wynn Macau.