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The Wall of Women

Olive & May takes its name from two women who helped shape Bend, and our wall honors many more. Each illustration celebrates a woman whose work, grit, or generosity left a mark on this town. Meet them.

One half of our namesake

Olive McKay

Olive E. (Spencer) McKay, wife of Clyde and mother of Duncan and Gordon, was born November 8, 1884 in Stillwater, Minnesota to Jerome B. and Sadie (Dennis) Spencer. She left her home and family in 1911 to settle with her husband and children in Central Oregon. Olive strove to bring the "gentility" of the East with her to the West and participated in study groups, such as the Allied Arts Club, which gathered to discuss literature, poetry, and music. She was active in the Bend Chapter of the Eastern Star and served as Matron in 1914, and was a volunteer member of the county election board for many years. She also diligently supported the aspirations of her husband and children throughout her life, which included constructing the building Olive & May resides in & selling the 10.5 acres that is Drake Park to the city of Bend.

Illustration of May Arnold on the Olive & May Wall of Women

One half of our namesake

May Arnold1880–1964

May Ellen Corgan (1880-1964), wife of John Francis Arnold & mother of Robert & Marie. In 1920, May & her Women's Civic Improvement League members were responsible for gathering 1,500 signatures, of the 5500 Bend residents, to put a $21,000 bond on the ballot to finance the city's purchase of 10.5 acres of land along the Deschutes River for what is now called Drake Park from The Bend Company owned by Clyde and Olive McKay, thereby preventing it from becoming a housing or business development. This amazing feat of influence occurred prior to women receiving the right to vote in 1929. While iconic Drake Park was named after a man Alexander Drake, the founder of Bend, it was the women of Bend who made sure that future generations had a tranquil place to enjoy in the heart of our city. May continued her influence through actions of the WCIL and beyond, including raising over $1 million in war bonds in 1939.

Bend's first school principal

Ruth Reid

Pioneering teacher, Ruth Reid arrived in Bend to teach in 1904. At the time, the school lacked a high school, so she taught high school classes after hours until an official high school was opened in 1906. She was promoted and became Bend's first school principal. When she got married in 1909, she was obliged to retire, but a new school built in 1914 was named Reid School in her honor.

Pioneering teacher & realtor

Ann Markel Forbes

Another pioneering teacher, Ann traveled with her sister from Illinois in 1909 to become a High School teacher alongside Ruth Reid. She taught English, German, Latin, and History AND played on the local all-women's baseball team. After being widowed and left with a young son in 1918, she supported herself first by running a gift shop and later becoming a successful real estate agent.

First person of color elected in the county

Ophelia Phelps

Ophelia Phelps and her husband Clarence were the first Black family to homestead in Deschutes County in 1917. Ophelia became the first person of color elected to a public office when she was elected to the Cloverdale School Board in 1922.

County Clerk & elections champion

Susie Penhollow

Bend native Susie Penhollow served as County Clerk from 1982-2002. During her tenure, Penhollow led the clerk's office not only to modern computerization but also implementation of Oregon's vote-by-mail system in 1998. Committed to democracy, Susie served as a U.N. elections monitor in countries such as Azerbaijan, Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia and Ukraine.

President of St. Charles hospital

Sister Catherine Hellman

Sister Catherine was a nurse in training when she arrived in Bend in 1948. Sister Catherine eventually served as president of St. Charles from 1969 until she retired at 70 in 1995. Her leadership and vision led to St. Charles acquiring and building their new campus off Neff Rd.

Bend's first woman mayor

Ruth Burleigh

Ruth served on the Bend City Commission from 1974 to 1986. During those years she was elected twice by the council to serve as mayor, the first woman to earn that title in Bend.

First woman county commissioner

Dorothy Cale

Dorothy served as the first woman commissioner in Deschutes County in 1967. She worked with Deschutes County Commissioners to transfer ownership of Reid School from the school district to the county, saving it for future generations.

Founder of Bend's first maternity hospital

Hattie Mayne

Hattie Mayne was trained as a practical nurse and dreamed of establishing a modern maternity hospital in Central Oregon. In 1920 her dream came true when she opened the Mountain View Hospital (also known as Mayne Maternity Hospital) on the corner of Kansas and State Streets.

Gold-rush performer & civic booster

Klondike Kate

Kate Rockwell gained notoriety as a vaudeville dancer in Dawson during the Yukon gold rush. After a string of husbands and some financial misfortunes, she moved to a homestead near Brothers, Oregon where she could indulge in her rockhound proclivities and enjoy the peace and solitude of the high desert. When she relocated to a home in downtown Bend, she became very civically active, particularly as a supporter of the local fire department.

Nordic skiing pioneer

Virginia Meissner

Virginia Meissner was one of the pioneering cross-country ski instructors in Central Oregon in the 1950's and 60's. She was a founding member of the Central Oregon Nordic Club and helped plan and mark many of the early xc ski trail as well as planning future sites for ski shelters. After she passed away in 1988, Virginia Meissner sno-park was named in her honor.

Co-founder of the Pine Tavern

Maren Gribskov

Along with Eleanor Beachen, Maren Gribskov (a graduate of Oregon Agricultural College), founded the Pine Tavern in 1936. Still in operation today, the Pine Tavern became famous for its delicious baked goods and weekend "Smorgasborg". Maren owned the business until she sold it in 1967.

WWII Women Airforce Service Pilot

Helen Skjersaa

Helen Skjersaa was a member of the locally renowned Skjersaa ski family. She joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II. Earning her wings in December 1943, she was part of the first class to train at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas.

Early Bend civic leader

Florence Drake

Florence Drake was the more pleasant half of Drake Park's namesake couple. Florence and A.M. arrived in Central Oregon in 1900 and Florence quickly became a prominent and civically minded member of Bend's social set. Although Florence and A.M. left Bend in 1911, she was an influential early member during the settlement period of Bend.

Pioneering teacher & outdoorswoman

Maude Vandevert

Kathryn Grace and Maude were members of the pioneering Vandevert family. Maude was one of the early Bend teachers, and both were avid outdoorswoman and huntresses, and very popular in local social circles.

Vandevert family pioneer

Kathryn Grace Vandevert

Kathryn Grace and Maude were members of the pioneering Vandevert family. Both were avid outdoorswoman and huntresses, and very popular in local social circles. Kathryn Grace tragically died of the flu during the 1918 flu pandemic and her loss was a shocking blow to the community.

Teacher, dreamer, and Caprice's mother

Faye Neely

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Faye attended Ohio State University before moving to Portland, Oregon, in 1950. She went on to earn a master's degree in education from Stanford University, becoming the first in her family to do so. Her creativity, resourcefulness, and love of learning shaped the lives of her students — and left an even deeper mark on her daughter. Caprice, an owner of Olive & May and Ken's Artisan Pizza in Bend, Oregon, carries forward Faye's belief that imagination and the courage to create are among life's greatest gifts. Though Faye's life ended far too soon at 42, her influence endures.

Illustration of Deirdre Donoher on the Olive & May Wall of Women

A force of grace, and Fergal's mother

Deirdre Donoherb. 1939

Deirdre was born in Sligo, Ireland, in 1939 and now lives in Portlaoise, Ireland. A devoted mother of three, a very proud nana of three, and a cherished friend to many, Deirdre is a true force who views each day as a gift and takes on challenges with effortless grace and determination. She is known for her wonderful sense of style and magical sense of humour. Deirdre has walked more miles than most can imagine and during her walks and beyond, brings joy to everyone she encounters in her community. Her son, Fergal, is one of the owners of Olive & May and Ken's Artisan Pizza in Bend, Oregon.

Illustration of Elizabeth Jean Colello-Kost on the Olive & May Wall of Women

A heart for all, and Peter's mother

Elizabeth Jean Colello-Kost1938–2014

Born on January 6, 1938, daughter of Italian immigrants that farmed land in the south Seattle area. She was very involved with the Seattle Fedele Sons & Daughters of Italy, her church and countless charitable organizations. Giving her time and wisdom for the aid of others gave her endless joy. Married for 56 years to husband Peter Kost, Sr. until her passing, August of 2014. Amazing mother to four children, including her youngest son, Peter Jr., an owner of Olive & May and Ken's Artisan Pizza. For Elizabeth, EVERY beautiful soul was family. She made every person feel special, important, and loved. A woman of faith, family, endless giving and…gardening. She sowed endless friendships that she valued so dearly.

Portraits illustrated from historical photographs courtesy of the Deschutes Historical Museum.