Clara Apodaca
Clara R. Apodaca (born 1934 in Doña Ana, New Mexico) is an American patron of the arts, nonprofit executive, and politician. Apodaca served as the First Lady of New Mexico from 1975 to 1979 during the tenure of her then-husband, Governor Jerry Apodaca. In April 1975, First Lady Apodaca founded and opened the Governor's Gallery in the New Mexico State Capitol, featuring the works of Georgia O'Keeffe in the inaugural exhibition.
Clara Apodaca | |
|---|---|
| Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs | |
| In office July 1985 – July 1987 | |
| Governor | Toney Anaya Garrey Carruthers |
| Preceded by | Jill Cooper Udall |
| Succeeded by | Helmuth Naumer |
| First Lady of New Mexico | |
| In office January 1, 1975 – January 1, 1979 | |
| Governor | Jerry Apodaca |
| Preceded by | Alice King |
| Succeeded by | Alice King |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Clara R. Melendres 1934 Doña Ana, New Mexico |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Five |
Apodaca also served as Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, then known as the Office of Cultural Affairs, under both Governor Toney Anaya and Governor Garrey Carruthers from 1985 to 1987, where she oversaw the opening of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. She then moved to Washington D.C., serving in the United States Department of the Treasury from 1993 to 2001, as well as the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the White House Millennium Commission.