Oral history interview with Rayshawn Williams conducted by Barbara Tabach on November 11, 2021 for the Veterans Oral History Project of Southern Nevada.
Native Las Vegan Rayshawn Williams discusses his service in the United States Marine Corps and his tours as a field radio operator in Iraq. He also shares stories of being in boot camp during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Rayshawn talks about his graduate studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and his university employment through the TRIO Training Institute programs (Talent Search, Upward Bound, and Student Support Service).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alma Vining conducted by Barbara Tabach, Nathalie Martinez, and Laurents Banuelos-Benitez on February 13, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Vining shares what it was like growing up as a child of Mexican immigrants. She talks about her childhood in McAllen, Texas, disclosing her experiences with racial discrimination as a child and as she grew into adulthood. She stresses the importance of education and lifelong learning in relation to her career as a teacher and school principal. Vining moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1972 and jumped into the community with her involvement in Nevada Association of Latin Americans (NALA) and on the television program, Minor Key. She shares her experiences earning her Master's Degree in Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Vining talks about her teaching career and the 30 years of experience gained in the Clark County School District.
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Oral history interview with Susana Loli conducted by Rodrigo Vazquez on January 15, 2021 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project.
Susana Loli starts her interview discussing her childhood in Lima, Peru with her seven siblings. After graduating college and with the unexpected death of her husband, Susana moved to the United States. She was able to return to Peru after some time to bring her family to America, and eventually they settled in Las Vegas after Susana remarried. Susana joined the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and worked at the Riviera Hotel and Casino for 19 years until it closed; she then moved to the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino where she is currently employed. In addition to her family and work history, Susana talks about the benefits she's found in joining the Culinary Union, her political work canvassing during the 2021 Georgia Senate race, and how COVID-19 has impacted her and others.
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Oral history interview with Evan Louie conducted by Stefani Evans, Cecilia Winchell, and Ayrton Yamaguchi on February 04, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
Evan Louie discusses his childhood growing up in San Francisco, Sacramento, and Hawaii with his older brother. He shares his decision to move to Las Vegas as an adult with his infant daughter after the death of his wife to be closer to his mother, stepfather, and stepsister. Louie shares his work promoting Asian American Pacific Islander peoples in politics, the media, philanthropic pursuits, and leadership opportunities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kay Rodriguez conducted by Irene Rostine on November 14, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN). Rodriguez discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from South Dakota to get a divorce in 1959. Rodriguez describes working as a waitress at the Dunes and the Riviera and making a new life in Las Vegas. She discusses her work in the real estate industry and the challenges of being a working mother. Rodriguez also talks about opening her own real estate office, and the demographics of the real estate industry during the 1960s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nanyu Tomiyasu conducted by Mark French on April 12, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Tomiyasu begins by discussing his father's immigration from Japan to North America in 1898, and his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1916. He talks about his father's work in agriculture and the types of crops grown in Las Vegas during the early twentieth century. Tomiyasu also discusses his own upbringing in Las Vegas, how the city has changed and grown, and his education. Tomiyasu describes the Native Americans of Southern Nevada, the environmental changes caused by the construction of the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam), and his experiences as a Japanese American in Las Vegas.
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Oral history interview with Janet Kravenko conducted by Bridget Kelly on August 07, 2002 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Kravenko opens her interview by discussing the importance of dance to her family, and her early interest in becoming a member of the Bluebell Girls dance troupe. She describes the rules of touring as a Bluebell Girl and her experiences traveling the world for two years. She then discusses her first contract in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Lido de Paris show. She describes the daily life of a Bluebell Girl, and where they rehearsed and performed. Kravenko then talks about being a young performer in Las Vegas and the challenges of finding work. She also describes some of the famous people she worked with including Zsa Zsa Gabor and Major Riddle. Lastly, Kravenko discusses how her dance career changed after she became a mother.
Archival Collection