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Lupe Avelar oral history interview: transcript

Date

2019-02-25

Description

Oral history interview with Lupe Avelar conducted by Marcela Rodriguez-Campo and Maribel Estrada Calderón for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Lupe Avelar describes her life growing up in Durango, Mexico on a family farm and her immigration to New Mexico as a teen with her brother before returning back to Mexico. Lupe talks about her marriage to Eladio Avelar and how the couple eventually moved to California as well as her circumstances of moving to Las Vegas. Subjects discussed include: cotton fields; cotton farming.

Text

Virginia James oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-00936

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Virginia James conducted by Claytee D. White on various dates in October and November 2004, and March and July 2005 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the interview, James describes her experiences as a dancer with the Texas Copa Girls at the Sands Hotel and Casino, and with the Jayne Mansfield Show and Folies Bergère at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. She recalls her early life in Texas, learning how to dance, and applying to be a dancer at the Sands in 1957. James details the audition process, her first impressions of Las Vegas upon arriving, and memories of her performances. Other subjects James covers include her marriages, her children, and other occupations she held later in life.

Archival Collection

Kenneth W. Fong oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00593

Abstract

Oral history interview with Kenneth W. Fong conducted by Lois Goodall on February 22, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods--an Oral History Project of Ward 1. Fong discusses growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and being the son of two successful and philanthropic community members, Wing and Lilly Fong. Fong also discusses his father starting a grocery store and later in 1955, Fong’s Garden. He then discusses real estate development, Nevada State Bank development, as well as contributing to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the Chinatown evolution.

Archival Collection

Lee Plotkin oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-02561

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Lee Plotkin conducted by Dennis McBride on August 02, 10, and 16; and October 04, 2006 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. In these interviews, Plotkin talks about his reaction to Lieutenant Governor of Nevada Myron E. Leavitt's claim that attending the Nevada Gay Rodeo violated Nevada's sodomy laws in the early 1980s. Plotkin recalls his childhood, coming out during high school, his early involvement with the Las Vegas, Nevada gay community, and his memories of Lieutenant Governor Leavitt and Leavitt's family. Plotkin also discusses the development and activities of LGBTQ organizations and demonstrations, including Golden Rainbow and Gay Pride. Lastly, he talks about the repeal of Nevada's sodomy laws in 1993, the defeat of Nevada Citizens' Alliance's anti-gay initiative petition Minority Status and Child Protection Act of 1994, and the growth of the Las Vegas LGBTQ community.

Archival Collection

Kelly McFarlane-Smith oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02558

Abstract

Oral history interview with Kelly McFarlane-Smith conducted by Dennis McBride on October 07, 2008 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith discusses her involvement with the magazine Lesbian Voice in Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about the purpose behind creating Lesbian Voice, how it was managed, and merging with the magazine Las Vegas Bugle. Smith then discusses the other gay magazines and organizations that she was involved with in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Claytee D. White oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03904

Abstract

Oral history interview with Claytee D. White conducted by Stefani Evans on November 2, 2023 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Claytee D. White, founding directory of the Oral History Research Center at UNLV Libraries, celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the OHRC by contributing her oral history to the collection.

She begins by explaining how the system of sharecropping worked in her family near rural Ahoskie, North Carolina, and she talks about the field work involved in raising cotton, tobacco, corn, and peanuts. The fifth of eight children and the first daughter, she shares memories of going into town with her mother, of admiring her women teachers, and of attending North Carolina Central College (now University) for two years before moving to Washington, D.C., and working for the telephone company.

After recalling her two years in D.C. and 22 years in Los Angeles, California, she describes "running away" to Las Vegas, Nevada in the early 1990s. Here, at the History department at UNLV, she recalls learning to conduct oral histories. White shares memories of her first interviews with Hazel and Jimmy Gay and Lucille Bryant. She talks of matriculating to the College of William and Mary for her PhD and of returning to Bertie County to live with her mother and administer the office of The Shaw University Center for Alternative Programs in Education (CAPE). She describes how she was offered the position of OHRC founding director, why it matters that she was an "opportunity hire," and how it feels to be the only Black person in a room.

Archival Collection

Miguel Villarba oral history interview: transcript

Date

2021-12-06

Description

Oral history interview with Miguel Villarba conducted by David Islas on December 6, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Miguel Villarba shares his family's history growing up in Manila, Philippines and immigrating to the United States in 2016. He talks about first living in Chattanooga, Tennessee before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to be near family when Miguel was in high school. Miguel Villarba shares stories of his grandfather's farm in Pangasinan, Philippines, the differences in city and town life across Manila, Chattanooga, and Las Vegas, and his educational plans. He also talks about Filipino culture and traditions, and racial discrimination.

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John Hirsch oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03236

Abstract

Oral history interview with John Hirsch conducted by Shannon Morrison on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Hirsch discusses his personal history, experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada, and his thoughts on the types of changes the city went through since his move to the city in 1937.

Archival Collection

Olga Zampini oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02050

Abstract

Oral history interview with Olga Zampini conducted by Kevin Williams on February 13, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Zampini discusses Las Vegas, Nevada history.

Archival Collection

Gwendolyn Woolley oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02023

Abstract

Oral history interview with Gwendolyn Woolley conducted by Jeffery M. Snell on March 09, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Woolley discusses early Nevada history along with her experiences with the development of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Archival Collection