Oral history interviews with June Monroe and Kazuko Atomura conducted by Cecilia Winchell and Stefani Evans on July 14 and July 19, 2022 for Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In the first interview, Kazuko Atomura describes her childhood in Taiwan and Tokyo, Japan, and shares both happy and difficult mememories of that time. Atomura eventually moved to Los Angeles, California, where she reconnected with a man she previously met in Japan. She married him and together had their daughter, June Monroe, and another son while living in Corpus Christi, Texas. After difficult medical procedures involving Atomura's husband and Monroe's younger brother, Brian, the family relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada. Monroe recalls attending Las Vegas High School and Bonanza High School, and the struggle of making new friends as a young person.
In the second interview, the mother and daughter discuss racism, discrimination, and identity. Kazuko Atomura recalls her many experiences with discrimination as a result of both her appearance and language barriers. June Monroe discusses how she came to be proud of her Japanese heritage, while Atomura discusses some of the community activities she has been involved in since living in Las Vegas including the Japanese Culture Club and odori dancing. Then, both Atomura and Monroe discuss Monroe's brother, Brian, who received two kidney transplants; one from Monroe's father and one from Monroe herself. Atomura talks about the shrines she has built for Brian, the experience of him being on dialysis, care taking, and his final days. Monroe shares about her activism with organ donation, being regularly involved with the Nevada Donor Network and helping to pass significant pieces of legislation within the area of organ donation.
The Gerald Schaffer Professional Papers (approximately 1949-1999) contain materials from Schaffer's time working as a political executive assistant, private sector consultant, and developer of commercial, residential, and gaming projects throughout Clark County, Nevada. The collection includes newspaper clippings, photographs, correspondence, and administrative files from Schaffer's time working as an executive assistant for Nevada Congressman Walter S. Baring Jr. Schaffer's work with organizations is represented through programs, photographs, and correspondence. Documents relating to his work as Commissioner of Public Housing on the Clark County Public Housing Authority, service as Clark County Planning Commissioner, and as a commercial and residential developer in Las Vegas are also present in the collection.
The Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Oral History Records (1995-2015) are comprised of Dr. Joanne Goodwin's research, communication, and publicity relating to the Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. The records include correspondence, photographs of interview participants, news clippings, and working drafts of transcripts. The records also contain oral history interview documentation for projects in which WRIN and Joanne Goodwin provided assistance and consultation.
The Tom Hawley Papers (approximately 1955-2019) contain the personal papers of Las Vegas, Nevada based traffic and transportation reporter, Tom Hawley. The collection primarily includes physical and digital materials that represent Hawley's interests in Las Vegas history; transportation issues in the Las Vegas Valley, including the Las Vegas Monorail and Resort Corridor Project; and his work as a traffic and transportation reporter for KSNV Channel 3. Materials from KSNV include video clips and transcripts of Video Vault, a segment on the history of Las Vegas hosted by Hawley. Other materials in this collection include ephemera, postcards, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia on Las Vegas entertainment and gaming. The collection also includes papers and memorabilia representing Hawley's activities as a string bass player for the Henderson Symphony Orchestra and files kept by his parents on Marta Becket and the Amargosa Opera House in Death Valley Junction, California.
The Florence and Jerry Vallen Faculty Papers (approximately 1935-2017) are comprised of personal papers and research files for Florence and Jerry Vallen, the founding dean of the College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The collection includes research files and drafts for In the Right Place, which was co-authored by Florence and Jerry Vallen. The collection also includes research files and drafts for Jerry Vallen's book, Check-In Check-Out. Other materials in this collection are comprised primarily of awards commemorating Jerry Vallen for achievements with UNLV's College of Hotel Administration, press clippings, and photographic prints and slides taken by the Vallens on vacations in China and Williamsburg, Virginia.
The Blanche Zucker-Bozarth Photograph Collection contains black-and-white and color photographic prints, negatives, and slides of Blanche Zucker-Bozarth between approximately 1980 and 2000. These images depict Zucker-Bozarth attending University Library Society gatherings at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), community fundraisers and events, and award ceremonies. During University Library Society gatherings, Zucker-Bozarth is seen with UNLV Libraries and campus-level administrative faculty and associates. The collection also contains Zucker-Bozarth attending events for the WE CAN (Working to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect) Fundraiser and the President’s Child Safety Partnership. Other photographs include Zucker-Bozarth holding the Chicago Award, Zucker-Bozarth posed with Mesquite Club members, and various individuals in Las Vegas and Carson City, Nevada.
Oral history interview with J. David Hoggard conducted by Claytee White and unnamed interviewer on various dates in 1997, 1998, and 1999 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN). Hoggard discusses serving in World War II, being transferred to Nellis Air Force Base in 1945, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from New Jersey in 1946. He also recalls becoming one of the first African American police officers in Las Vegas, and working in the Clark County School District for 15 years. Hoggard then discusses his involvement with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), including serving as chapter president for four years.