Rocio Rodríguez-Martinez’s oral history is one that comes with the glimmer of emeralds, soft aroma of orchids, and the powerful scent of coffee—100% Colombian coffee, that is. Born in Bogotá, Colombia to Eustacio Rodríguez and Tulia de Rodríguez, Rocio’s story is one that takes her from pretending to be a teacher at her family store in Santa Isabel to teaching English to mothers of students in the Clark County School District [CCSD] of Las Vegas.

Geoconda Argüello-Kline was born July 7, 1955 and was raised in Nicaragua. She left Nicaragua in 1979 as a political refugee and settled in Miami, Florida. The wages there did not allow her to take care of her family, so she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada following family members who had taken union jobs upon their arrival. She joined as well and worked as a guest room attendant for eight years.

Charles Salton was born June 19, 1922 in Morristown, New Jersey to Rebecca and Al Salton. The family moved to Huntington Beach, California for two years before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1929. Salton was very active in the Southern Nevada Jewish community. He held careers as an engineer draftsman, insurance agent, and a real estate broker. He was also an income tax enrollment agent and one of the original members of Temple Beth Shalom. Salton passed away April 11, 2004.