Fairbanks Tall Timbers Series: Mary Nordale

The Fairbanks Tall Timber Series honors those who have served the Fairbanks community well. Join veteran newsman Robert Hannon as he interviews Mary Nordale. Mary comes from a family with long ties to Fairbanks history. Her grandfather, Anton Nordale, built the Nordale Hotel; her father served in the Alaska Legislature; and her mother, Katherine, was clerk of the court in Fairbanks. Additionally, family friend Senator Bob Bartlett influenced Mary’s life of service and independence. After graduating from college, Mary went to Washington, D.C. as one of the secretaries in the office of Senator Bartlett. She realized she wanted more and went to George Washington University law school at night when women were the minority. After graduation, she returned to Fairbanks as an assistant US attorney. As politics changed, she worked as State District Attorney, for the Small Business Administration after the 1967 flood in Fairbanks, as Alaska‘s Commissioner of Revenue, and in private practice, specializing in business and mining law.