Danna Kusianovich Henderson papers
Collection
Identifier: Ms-0566
Content Description
Papers of New Mexico journalist and aviator Danna Kusianovich Henderson. The papers pertain to several major interests and accomplishments of Henderson, including: Lincoln, New Mexico history, including the annual Billy the Kid Pageant, Fort Stanton history, material related to Henderson's aviation activities, development of the Albuquerque International Airport, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Native Americans in New Mexico, Capitan, New Mexico, Gila firefighters, Joe Skeen, and other New Mexico topics. Included are Henderson's own writings and clippings of her newspaper stories. The collection contains some ephemera relating to her work with the Albuquerque Balloon festival as well as photographs and slides. Published and unpublished material that can be assumedly written by Henderson are also in the collection. The collection was processed using the original order received from the donor.
Dates
- 1950 - 2022
Conditions Governing Use
These materials are available for study in the Caroline E. Stras Research Room, NMSU Library Archives and Special Collection.
Biographical / Historical
Details from an online obituary:
Danna graduated from Capitan High School in 1947 as class valedictorian and enrolled at the University of New Mexico. She graduated in 1955 with a degree in journalism and a minor in archaeology. Danna became a reporter on the Albuquerque Journal and learned to fly at the long-gone West Mesa Airport. In 1959, she went to Washington, DC, as a research assistant to Sen. Clinton P. Anderson.
In 1960, Danna became a reporter for Aviation Daily. She then became managing editor of American Aviation. She also worked on convention newspapers, beginning with one for NBAA, and in 1967 published the first (and last) bilingual Convention News at the Paris Air Show in collaboration with Air et Cosmos.
In the early 1960s, Danna got her helicopter pilot’s license and joined the newly created Whirly-Girls organization of women helicopter pilots. She went to the White House with other charter members of the Whirly-Girls and met President John F. Kennedy.
She also worked as a freelance journalist, working at Transpo ’72 for ALPA and AFA, Convention News at a number of conventions, and producing a newsletter for Indian tribes.
In 1973, Danna joined Air Transport World (ATW) magazine as managing editor. She stayed in this role until moving back to New Mexico in 1980, at which point she became a contributing writer for ATW – working on, among other things, the infamous World Airline Report. Danna worked for a number of years on ATW Daily News from its start to her retirement in 2011 after a 50+-year career as an aviation journalist.
Danna moved back to Maryland in 2003 to be close to daughter Lisa and grandson Jesse.
Other notable interests included:
• A love of horses; Danna became a champion barrel racer • Life Master in Bridge • Website committee of her community • With childhood friend Claire started finding and contacting other "Fort Stanton Kids" and asking them to write their memories and share photos. This was the catalyst for two wonderful photo books written by Jim McBride: Fort Stanton Marine Hospital and Children of Fort Stanton. In 2005, the two put together a fabulous reunion attended by more than 60 Fort Stanton Kids and their families. • Wrote for the Fort Stanton newsletter for many years about the history of the Fort and the Fort Stanton Kids who lived there between the early 1920s and 1953.
On Sunday, November 20, 2022, Danna Kusianovich Henderson, 88, passed away peacefully at her home in Easton, MD, with daughter Lisa by her side. She was born on May 22, 1934, in Roswell, NM, to Daniel and Marguerite Kusianovich. She married Jack Henderson in 1960, and Lisa was born in 1961. Danna was preceded in death by husband Jack, and her parents Daniel and Marguerite Kusianovich of Albuquerque, NM.
She is survived by daughter Lisa Ray, grandson Jesse Ray (wife Lauren), great granddaughter Riley Magnolia Allison Ray, and brother John Kusianovich, LaBelle, FL. https://www.fhnfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Danna-Henderson/#!/Obituary
In 1960, Danna became a reporter for Aviation Daily. She then became managing editor of American Aviation. She also worked on convention newspapers, beginning with one for NBAA, and in 1967 published the first (and last) bilingual Convention News at the Paris Air Show in collaboration with Air et Cosmos.
In the early 1960s, Danna got her helicopter pilot’s license and joined the newly created Whirly-Girls organization of women helicopter pilots. She went to the White House with other charter members of the Whirly-Girls and met President John F. Kennedy.
She also worked as a freelance journalist, working at Transpo ’72 for ALPA and AFA, Convention News at a number of conventions, and producing a newsletter for Indian tribes.
In 1973, Danna joined Air Transport World (ATW) magazine as managing editor. She stayed in this role until moving back to New Mexico in 1980, at which point she became a contributing writer for ATW – working on, among other things, the infamous World Airline Report. Danna worked for a number of years on ATW Daily News from its start to her retirement in 2011 after a 50+-year career as an aviation journalist.
Danna moved back to Maryland in 2003 to be close to daughter Lisa and grandson Jesse.
Other notable interests included:
• A love of horses; Danna became a champion barrel racer • Life Master in Bridge • Website committee of her community • With childhood friend Claire started finding and contacting other "Fort Stanton Kids" and asking them to write their memories and share photos. This was the catalyst for two wonderful photo books written by Jim McBride: Fort Stanton Marine Hospital and Children of Fort Stanton. In 2005, the two put together a fabulous reunion attended by more than 60 Fort Stanton Kids and their families. • Wrote for the Fort Stanton newsletter for many years about the history of the Fort and the Fort Stanton Kids who lived there between the early 1920s and 1953.
On Sunday, November 20, 2022, Danna Kusianovich Henderson, 88, passed away peacefully at her home in Easton, MD, with daughter Lisa by her side. She was born on May 22, 1934, in Roswell, NM, to Daniel and Marguerite Kusianovich. She married Jack Henderson in 1960, and Lisa was born in 1961. Danna was preceded in death by husband Jack, and her parents Daniel and Marguerite Kusianovich of Albuquerque, NM.
She is survived by daughter Lisa Ray, grandson Jesse Ray (wife Lauren), great granddaughter Riley Magnolia Allison Ray, and brother John Kusianovich, LaBelle, FL. https://www.fhnfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Danna-Henderson/#!/Obituary
Extent
2.5 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Danna Kusianovich Henderson was a New Mexico journalist and an aviator. Her collection reflects interests and accomplishments throughout her life, including: Lincoln, New Mexico history, and Fort Stanton history. Included is her work with the annual Billy the Kid Pageant (1957-1958, most notably), Her pilot background as a founding member of the Whirly-Girls, an organization of women helicopter pilots and her journalistic skills led her to a career of writing material for newsletters and magazine related to aviation. She wrote press releases and articles for several local newspapers about the development of the Albuquerque International Airport, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Native Americans in New Mexico, Capitan, New Mexico, Gila firefighters, Joe Skeen, and other New Mexico topics. Included are Henderson's own writings and clippings of her newspaper stories.
Separated Materials
Books and videos were seperated from the collection and added to Special Collections:
1. Fort Stanton United States public health service no date printed by Carrizozo News .35 cents fragile
2. Children of Fort Stanton edited by James J. McBride (signed by author) spiral bound
3. Fantasy of Ballooning (by Japanese photographer) Akira Otaka signed
4. Official video of the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival -Albuquerque Aloft (1991)
5. Official video of the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival-Winds of Enchantment, the history of the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival (no date)
6. Video Highlights Balloon Festival 2000
Processing Information
Processed by Teddie Moreno, 2023
- Subtitle
- Guide to the Danna Kusianovich Henderson papers
- Author
- Teddie Moreno
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository