Oral history interview of Brian Shepherd conducted by Claytee D. White on July 13, 2020 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Brian Shepherd, Chief of Staff of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1107, represents health care and public sector employees across the state of Nevada. SEIU advocates for fair wages, quality health care, and the "secret ballot" for all union employees. In addition to discussing his profession, Brian talks about the social justice movement and coordinating community protests concerning larger issues like Black Lives Matter.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Edward Baca conducted by Claytee D. White on January 28, 2016 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Baca opens his interview describing his parents and his youth in Wyoming. He then discusses moving to Bryce, Utah in the 1940s, his career in coal mining, and the process of removing coal from the mine. Baca describes his brief time working for the federal government, going to trade school to learn morse code, and working for the railroad. He then talks about switching careers to to work as an air conditioning insulator, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1969. Baca then describes how he found religion, his efforts to learn more about Christianity, and forming a ministry where he preaches. He discusses his Christian radio program, his singing ministry, and his efforts to save a Christian radio station from closing. Lastly, Baca discusses his religious music albums, touring in a religious music group, and faith healing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jack LeVine conducted by Suzanne Becker on June 28, 2007 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park neighborhood Oral History Project. LeVine discusses being a real estate agent and a gay man living in Las Vegas, Nevada since moving there in the 1980s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James "Sailor" Ryan conducted by Perry Kaufman in 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Ryan discusses moving to Nevada from Montana in 1935. Ryan describes his career as a construction laborer for the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) as well as later positions in construction. Ryan also details his involvement in politics and his position in the Nevada Assembly. Lastly, Ryan discusses gambling and the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hazel Gay conducted by Claytee D. White on December 02, 1995 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gay discusses her husband being the first African-American mortician in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as being the assistant manager at the Sands Hotel and Casino and an executive at the Union Plaza. Gay also discusses running dress shops and working as a display artist and retail clerk in other shops.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gloria Deaton conducted by B.W. Deaton on March 01, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Deaton discusses Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas, Nevada, the gaming and tourism industry, women in the gaming industry, and her job as a "Lady Pit Boss" at casinos like Gold Strike Inn (now Terrible’s Hotel and Casino).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Allin Chandler conducted by Claytee D. White on December 9, 2002 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Allin Chandler discusses his education and career history, including being a teacher and educational administrator in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1968-1990 as well as being a part of the Clark County Association of School Administrators (CCASA). Chandler also discusses the instructional philosophy that he follows and the originators of it. Other topics discussed are developments in education, personal writing and public speaking skills, instructional leadership, school administration, and parental responsibilities.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bob Coffin conducted by Claytee D. White on January 29, 2010 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Bob Coffin discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951 and moving his family to the John S. Park Neighborhood in 1960. He discusses working as a janitor at the Nevada Test Site and as a journalist for Las Vegas Review Journal. He also discusses being elected to the Nevada State Assembly in 1982 and to the State Senate in 1986.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bernice Reid conducted by Brenda Sawyer on March 12, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Reid describes life in Nevada after moving there in 1926 and the challenges she and her ex-husband faced trying to breed chinchillas on their ranch on Mount Charleston. Reid also discusses the development of Las Vegas, Nevada, seeing President Hoover speak at the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, and the nuclear weapons tests.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Smith conducted by Dennis McBride on June 28, 2002 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith discusses his life as a priest of the Christian Orthodox church and a gay man. He describes his experiences living in an Orthodox monastery, his interactions with the gay community of Las Vegas, Nevada since the 1960s, and other gay priests Smith has known. Smith also details bringing in speakers for talks with his gay congregation to provide information on topics including sexually transmitted diseases and careers. He concludes by discussing his involvement with gay student groups at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Archival Collection