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.
Oral history interview with Carole Sorenson conducted by Andre Yates on November 11, 2002 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Sorenson reflects upon her career as a teacher in Burley, Idaho and eventually as a teacher and administrator with the Clark County School District (CCSD) from the 1950s to the 1980s. She describes her experience as an elementary school teacher, and then her subsequent positions as dean, assistant principal, and principal of junior high and high schools throughout CCSD. She discusses trends and changes that have taken place during her career, and comments on contemporary issues such as standardized testing.
Oral history interview with Gertrude Rudiak conducted by Claytee White on January 11th, 2007 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gertrude Rudiak was a local civil rights pioneer, wife of George Rudiak, and has lived in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1943. She raised her five children in Las Vegas and was active in the Jewish community. In her interview Rudiak discusses Jewish life and culture in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Ted Monson conducted by Rocky Fagundes on October 04, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Monson discusses building the first house in North Las Vegas, Nevada with his family including how they transported materials needed to build the house. He also describes Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam), specifically the attention it brought to the area. Later, Monson discusses Block 16 and the development of the Las Vegas Strip.
Oral history interview with Jerry Jackson conducted by Su Kim Chung on February 12, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Jackson discusses his career as a dancer, choreographer, costume designer, and producer of shows in Las Vegas, Nevada and around the world. Jackson describes dancing at the Desert Inn, Moulin Rouge, Tropicana, and touring with production shows. He then recalls living in Las Vegas from the 1950s through the 1970s and compares the quality of show production throughout the years. He talks about his career with the production Folies-Bergere
Oral history interview with Bob Coffin conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on August 08, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Coffin discusses his early life in Anaheim, California, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951. He describes living near the Huntridge Theater, housing in that area, and working for his father’s business, Western Petroleum Distributors. Coffin talks about his initial interests in local politics, becoming a political campaign manager in the 1970s, and running for City Councilman. Lastly, Coffin discusses the construction of the Fremont Street Experience, and the issue of homelessness in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Marie Padgett conducted by Tori Ascolillo on April 30, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Padgett discusses her family moving from Arkansas to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955. Padgett discusses her involvement in local organizations including the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, the Women's Council, and the Allied Arts Council. She later discusses changes in Las Vegas such as the building of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the growth of the Strip, World War II, and atomic bomb testing.
Oral history interview with Patricia Marchese conducted by Helen F. Knorr on February 24, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Marchese discusses her life in Morehead, Kentucky before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. She discusses her administrative work with the City of Las Vegas, the Rainbow Company Youth Theatre, the Allied Arts Council of Southern Nevada, and the KNPR Nevada radio station. Marchese also discusses the cultural future of Las Vegas, her reactions to this future as a parent, and the value of the city's image to citizens and visitors.
Oral history interview with Abraham Gomez conducted by Elsa Lopez on December 06, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Gomez discusses growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and explains why his parents decided to settle in Las Vegas. He talks about attending Saint Christopher Catholic School, Bishop Gorman High School, and College of Southern Nevada (CSN). Gomez recalls transferring to the University of Nevada, Reno, becoming an ambassador for the GEAR UP program at Nevada State College (NSC), and explains the importance of programs like GEAR UP for first generation low-income students. Later, Gomez describes his involvement with the Nevada Partnership of Homeless Youth (NPHY) and his work as a member of the Men of Color subcommittee at NSC. Lastly, Gomez talks about his position as College Navigator for the Nevada Treasurer’s Office.
Oral history interview with Maria Moore conducted by Elsa Lopez on August 02, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Moore discusses her early life in Belize. She describes the the diversity of its citizens, being able to speak Belizean Creole, and compares differences between northern and southern Belize. Moore talks about the political and economic instability of Belize, immigrating to the United States in 1979, and attending California State University, Fullerton. Later, Moore discusses her interests in senior issues, obtaining an internship in hospice care, and her experiences volunteering at a nursing home. She talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1994, and her employment with Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Lastly, Moore describes the priorities for AARP and current events surrounding healthcare.