A fourth generation Sublette County resident, Laurie McGinnis spent her childhood days as most ranch children do, tending to the chores, raising 4-H animals and riding the range. As a student at Big Piney High School, young McGinnis developed those important leadership qualities that would guide her throughout her adult life. Laurie was active in nearly every organization except athletics, which was not available to girls at that time. Consequently, Laurie and a close friend together penned “Poison Propaganda”. This short-lived journal addressed important issue of the time like teen age pregnancy, the Viet Nam War and of course, girls’ athletics. Unfortunately, it also landed them in hot water with some teachers and ultimately “Poison Propaganda” slipped into extinction.
Laurie did go on to graduate from Big Piney High School as the Valedictorian of the Class of 1972. Utah State was her next destination, she did however, transfer to the University of Wyoming following her freshman year. At the University of Wyoming, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Speech Pathology/Audiology. As a student at UW, Laurie served as a national representative for the National Speech and Language Association. She also served in a leadership role in the university’s academic organization of Spurs, Chimes and Mortar Board. It was in that role where she honed her skills as a public speaker.
From 1980 through 1984, the now Mrs Latta served as a speech pathologist/teacher for the Sublette County District 9. Following this stint in education, Laurie returned to leadership roles as Director of the Mountain Man Museum. She developed many programs that are still in existence including the Mountain Man Living History Day which allow fourth graders from across Western Wyoming the opportunity to learn about the mountain man. She also institutes the Pelt and Plew Social which is the signature event for the Museum’s fundraising efforts.
During this time, Latta was also selected to the first LEAD (Leadership, Education and Development) Class which dealt with agricultural issue throughout the country and abroad. The Wyoming Heritage Foundation also zeroed in on Laurie’s leadership qualities by selecting her in the first Leadership Wyoming group of that organization.
Most recently, Latta was hired as the Coordinator for the Sublette Community Partnerships. This program deals with the issues of communities facing the economics of the boom and bust energy industry. This unusual program has linked county, community and energy companies together to work cooperatively to address socio-economic issues of the time.
As a survivor, Laurie Latta has begun to develop a course of action to mentor women in Wyoming and Montana on female gynecological/diversification issues. As Laurie says, “Stay tuned.”