Blanche Zucker-Bozarth Papers (MS-00372)

Blanche Zucker-Bozarth is a community activist in Las Vegas, Nevada who has focused largely on issues surrounding children's advocacy, women's organizations, and literacy programs. She was born Blanche Millington to Cassius Alexander Millington and Winfred Estelle Davis in Schenectady, New York. In 1946, she received her RN from the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, and in 1962, a BS in Nursing Education from the Teachers College at Columbia University. She married Nelson Marsh in 1946 and had two children, Kay and Gary. In 1963, she moved to Nevada; she married Dr. Reuben Zucker in 1967. Blanche earned her MA in Education from the University of Nevada Las Vegas in 1975. After the death of Dr. Zucker, Blanche married Dr. Henry Bozarth.

Zucker-Bozarth has been active in community service in Las Vegas, Nevada since the 1970s. Much of her work has focused on developing programs aimed at preventing child abuse. In this capacity, she served on the Nevada Child Abuse Coalition, which worked to raise awareness of child abuse in the state of Nevada. She was also involved with the organization WE CAN (Working to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect) and worked with state legislators in developing legislation aimed at preventing child abuse.

Her work in promoting the development of local libraries began when her husband, Dr. Reuben Zucker, persuaded her to create the first medical library at University Medical Center. She has since worked on promoting libraries at many levels, from improving the St. Viator Middle School Library to serving on the University Library Society of the University of Nevada Las Vegas where she organized numerous events and fundraisers. Her library advocacy also involved service on the Governor’s Conference on Nevada Libraries, and serving as an alternate delegate to the White House Conference on Libraries.

A long-time member of the Mesquite Club, Zucker-Bozarth served as president of the organization from 1980-1981. Soon after, she was Chairperson of the Greater Federation of Women’s Clubs. Her other activities include Nevada Representative and past president of the Clark County Medical Alliance, and honorary member of University Medical Center Auxiliary.

She has won awards from WE CAN, including Volunteer of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. She has also won the Commissioner's Award from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and the Volunteer of the Year award from the Citizen Committee on Victims Rights in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1989.