Courtenay Swain McGowen Records

Courtenay Jameson Swain McGowen was born on November 25, 1945 in Baltimore, Maryland. She received her BA degree from Finch College, Maryland and her MA from Columbia University. Prior to and during her career in the Nevada Legislature, Courtenay was a freelance writer and investor, owner of Image Factory, and belonged to many civic organizations, including Planned parenthood of Northern Nevada and the Committee to Aid Abused Women.

Courtenay Jameson ran for the Nevada Assembly as a Democrat and was first elected in November, 1982 (by the 1983 session, she had married and her name became Swain). She served in the Assembly as the representative of District 28 (Reno) from 1983-1990. Her legislative committee assignments included Ways and Means, Judiciary, Education, and Elections (which she chaired). Swain was also chair of the Governor's Commission on Child Support Enforcement, and a member of the Commission on Finance; the Interim Subcommittee on Cultural Resources and Reapportionment; and the Economic Development, Small Business and Tourism Committee. She was a strong supporter of children's rights and education, and was an activist for both health care and insurance reform causes.

Swain's notable legislation included those:

Requiring safety belts for young children in automobiles, Permitting courtroom use of videotaped testimony of abused children, Expanding victims' rights in litigation against defendants, Requiring local agencies to provide more assistance to victims of crime. Swain received a number of awards recognizing her contributions to the community, including the Nevada Safety, Council, Distinguished Public Official Award, 1982-1983; Community Service Agency of Washoe County, Outstanding Service Award, 1984; Planned parenthood of Northern Nevada, Policy Makers Award, 1985; and was one of the Outstanding Young Women of America, 1983.