Oral history interview with Ruthe Deskin conducted by Anthony Ferri on April 17, 2000 for the Communication and Community in Las Vegas research study. In this interview, Deskin talks about her upbringing in Yerington, Nevada, her degree in journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), and her permanent move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1945. She discusses her early jobs working for KENO and KLAS radio stations as an advertising and continuity editor, her public relations work for the Last Frontier Hotel, and then starting what would become her life work with Hank Greenspun's Las Vegas Sun newspaper in 1954. Later, she talks about her column "Memo to Hank" and Greenspun's "Where I Stand" column, about how Las Vegas changed over her fifty year tenure at the newspaper, politicians, racial inequality, and highlights of her career.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sarah Bartlett conducted by Sydney Bartlett on December 10, 2022 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Sarah recalls immigrating from Quezon City, Philippines as a young woman to Toronto, Canada. She recalls her childhood being full of rich cultural traditions, lots of family bonding time, and working to help support her family. Despite not having a college education, she secured a career as a title officer at Chicago Title, a position which she has held for twenty-five years. Sarah eventually met her husband, who shared a Filipino ancestry, and moved from Canada to Las Vegas, Nevada. Here they built their own life together, and despite hardships throughout her life, Sarah cherishes the unique experiences she has had living in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Francisco V. Aguilar conducted by Monserrath Hernández on April 19, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Aguilar discusses his early life in Tucson, Arizona. He recalls his educational experience, attending the University of Arizona, and his initial interests in law. Aguilar talks about lobbying the Arizona legislature for a second student regent on the Board of Regents, attending law school, and serving on the Catholic Charities Board, Opportunity 180 Board, and the Nevada Athletic Commission. He describes being nominated for the Bosch Fellowship, and being a founding chairman of the Cristo Rey St. Viator College Preparatory High School in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Later, Aguilar talks about the importance of prioritizing education in local communities, and his vision for Cristo Rey. Lastly, he shares his thoughts about the Latinx community in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Valorie J. Vega conducted by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on November 19, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Vega discusses her upbringing in Van Nuys, California. She describes her father’s employment with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, her attendance at California State University, Northridge, and majoring in Spanish with a minor in Chicano studies. Vega recalls entering a master’s program for Spanish interpretation, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1978, and becoming a supervisor for court interpreters. Later, Vega talks about enrolling in law school at the University of Southern California (USC), working as a Clark County deputy attorney, and later becoming a judge. Lastly, Vega discusses her experience being a female Hispanic judge, and her involvement with the Huellas Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jeffrey Coller conducted by Claytee D. White on July 25, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Coller discusses growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He recalls attending Bishop Gorman High School, becoming an emancipated minor, and his employment at the El Cortez Hotel and Casino. Coller talks about joining the United States Marine Corps, relocating to Reno, Nevada, and his experience in the hospitality industry. Coller describes the various jobs he had at Harrah’s Reno, advancing up to assistant hotel manager, and his career shift to real estate development. Later, Coller discusses his work in production housing, building communities, and returning to Las Vegas in 1992. Lastly, Coller talks about the growth of his real estate business and getting involved in real estate syndication.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jahaira Farias conducted by Monserrath Hernández on April 12, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Farias discusses her family’s background in Mexico and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. She recalls attending Western High School, joining their ROTC program, and commanding the armed drill team. Farias talks about her decision to enlist to the United States Marine Corps and describes the type of work she did while serving. She describes her deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, post-traumatic stress disorder within in the Marine Corps, and her experiences as a woman in the military. Later, Farias discusses being president of the Women Marines Association (WMA) and the organization's involvement in Las Vegas high schools. Lastly, Farias talks about the term Latinx and her evolving feelings around identity.
Archival Collection
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.
Archival Collection
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.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Randy Garcia conducted by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on November 27, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Garcia discusses growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s and 1960s. He talks about attending Saint Anne’s Catholic School and Bishop Gorman High School, his experience as a Latino in Las Vegas, and facing discrimination because of his race. Garcia recalls graduating from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), studying business administration and accounting, and his first job in a stock brokerage firm. Later, Garcia discusses opening his own firm, the Investment Counsel Company, in 1987 and how he manages it. Lastly, Garcia talks about his involvement in the UNLV Foundation Board of Trustees, the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, the Latin Chamber of Commerce, and Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Corinne Sidney conducted by Cynthia Cicero and Dedee Nave on December 13, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Corinne Sidney shares the details of her early career, her move to Las Vegas, and her relationship with Jack Entratter. She talks about becoming a Copa Girl at the Sands Hotel and what life was like after Jack's death in 1971. Corinne shares stories of entertainers she knew, including Frank Sinatra and Antonio Morelli, but the focus of the discussion is about Jack, their "on-again-off-again" relationship, and his talent and influence in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection