Oral history interview with Astrid Silva conducted by Monserrath Hernández and Barbara Tabach on April 22, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Astrid Silva was born in Gomez Palacio, Durango in 1988. She immigrated with her mother to the United States in 1992, where they were met by her father before flying to Los Angeles. She recounts her first impression of the United States and her families eventual move to Las Vegas, where she describes her time living in Las Vegas’ west side and struggles she faced being an undocumented student living in Las Vegas. She describes her first meeting with Senator Harry Reid and the friendship that developed afterwards. She has spoken at the Democratic National Convention and has been vocal about her status as a Dreamer. She is currently the Executive Director for DREAM Big Nevada which was established in 2017 in order to provide aid to Nevada’s immigrant families. She writes about her hopes for Dreamers and her continued work in expanding the ways that immigrant families can be helped in an always changing political climate. Subjects discussed include: DACA, Dreamers, Immigrant Rights, and Higher Education.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Count Guido Roberto Deiro conducted by David G. Schwartz on January 30, 2002 and November 22, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Deiro gives his personal recollections of living in Las Vegas, Nevada, including his father’s career, his upbringing, and fondest memories of the city.
Archival Collection
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
Oral history interview with Victoria and Brad Babich conducted by Claytee D. White on November 22, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, the Babich couple describe their family histories and life in Las Vegas, Nevada during the mid-twentieth century. Brad Babich discusses his father's work in the gaming industry of Las Vegas, the prevalence of organized crime in the city, the influence of Howard Hughes and the federal government, and other aspects of Las Vegas history. He also talks about nuclear weapons tests at the Nevada Test Site and the health problems some employees acquired there. The two talk about recreational activities of the time, as well as the entertainers that performed on the Las Vegas Strip. Other topics of discussion include race relations in Las Vegas, casino history, and changes that have occurred over the years in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gerald Connor conducted by James Bonnell on February 22, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Connor first discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and serving as a pilot in the United States Air Force. He then discusses his education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and his church membership. Topics that Connor discusses during the interview also include changes in the school district and properties located in Downtown Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Strip, his political activity within the Democratic Party, the Helldorado Parades, and the early atomic tests at the Nevada Test Site.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pat Spearman conducted by Lisa McAllister on March 03, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Spearman discusses her experiences in the military and becoming a minister at United Methodist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes what it was like to serve in the military as a gay woman and telling church members about her sexuality. Spearman then talks about the African American gay community in Las Vegas and the intersectionality of race, class, religion, sexuality, and politics. Lastly, Spearman discusses her plans to get re-elected as a Nevada State Senator.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. Edward Goldman conducted by Barbara Tabach on March 22, 2016 and April 04, 2016 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Goldman discusses his career as a Clark County School District teacher, negotiator, and regional superintendent over the span of thirty years. He also talks about his activity in the Las Vegas, Nevada Jewish community at Temple Beth Sholom and being a founding member of Midbar Kodesh Temple.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sarah McKenzie conducted by Brandy Campbell on October 22, 2002 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, McKenzie reflects upon her career as a middle school, high school, and special education administrator in Fort Worth, Texas. She describes the process by which she initially became a teacher, and later an administrator. She discusses her experiences working in special education, and describes her typical responsibilities and challenges.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Aquiles Garcia conducted by Claytee D. White on January 10 and February 20, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Garcia discusses the political atmosphere and risks of being gay in Juan Perón’s Argentina in the 1940s, Las Vegas, Nevada life in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and his dual Las Vegas careers as a dancer and a casino dealer throughout the second half of the twentieth century.
Archival Collection