Jan Jones Blackhurst facts for kids

Jan Jones Blackhurst (born Janis Lyle Laverty on March 16, 1949) is an American businesswoman and politician. She made history as the first woman to serve as the mayor of Las Vegas, Nevada. She held this important role from 1991 to 1999. Jones Blackhurst is a member of the Democratic Party.

About Jan Jones Blackhurst

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Jan Jones Blackhurst was born in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in Santa Monica. In 1971, she graduated from Stanford University.

In the 1980s, she became well-known in Las Vegas. She appeared in TV commercials for her family's supermarket chain, Thriftimart. Later, she also promoted a car dealership owned by her husband at the time.

Her Time as Mayor of Las Vegas

In 1990, Jan Jones Blackhurst decided to run for mayor of Las Vegas. She won the election in 1991. The people of Las Vegas re-elected her in 1995. She served two terms, each lasting four years.

During her time as mayor, Las Vegas grew a lot. Many people moved to the city. Jan Jones Blackhurst helped make the city a better place to live. She also focused on important social issues. These included helping people experiencing homelessness. She also supported LGBT rights in the city.

While she was mayor, Jones Blackhurst tried to become the governor of Nevada twice. She did not win either of these elections. In 1999, she decided not to run for a third term as mayor.

What Did She Do After Politics?

After leaving her role as mayor, Jan Jones Blackhurst joined Caesars Entertainment. This is a very large company that owns many casinos and resorts. She became an Executive Vice President there.

As of 2021, Jones Blackhurst serves on the boards of several organizations. These include Caesars Entertainment and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. She is also on the board for Sunrise Hospital. She helps manage the Las Vegas Stadium Authority, which owns Allegiant Stadium. She is also a CEO-in-residence at the International Gaming Institute. This institute is part of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Her Family Life

Jan Jones Blackhurst is married to Dana Blackhurst. They got married in 2003. In 2013, she officially added "Blackhurst" to her last name. She has six children.

Dana Blackhurst works to help children with learning disabilities. He has led several schools over the years. These include Camperdown Academy and The Chandler School in Greenville, South Carolina. He also led Pine Ridge School in Williston, Vermont. He even founded The Chandler School himself. Jan and Dana Blackhurst live in western Las Vegas.

Awards and Recognition

In 2017, the Clark County School District honored Jan Jones Blackhurst. They named an elementary school in Las Vegas after her. This shows how much she contributed to the community.