Oral history interview with Lois Cox conducted by Mitch Cox on March 18, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lois Cox discusses her experiences growing up in and living in Nevada. Cox first discusses her family background, growing up Basque, and her educational and employment backgrounds. She then describes her career in the Clark County School District and the changes in school and student activities over time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lucille Matyas conducted by Michael Bernstein on February 23, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Matyas discusses moving from Ohio to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1935. Matyas also discusses her work with the Southern Nevada Telephone Company, the Reynolds Electrical & Engineering Co., Inc. (REECo) in association with the Nevada Test Site, her life as a housewife, and her work with the Central Telephone (Centel) Corporation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Aracely Rascon conducted by Claytee D. White on October 2, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Rascon recalls her early childhood in Chihuahua, Mexico and until her father brought the family to Las Vegas, Nevada. She studied interior design at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and joined the firm of Simpson Coulter, where she specializes in decorating the interiors of businesses and schools. Two weeks after the October 1, 2017 shooting, her skills were called upon by those across the city who were preparing the Resiliency Center for survivors of the mass shooting. This proposed Resiliency Center needed carpet, paint, furniture, art work, and everything else to make it into a place where people could seek assistance in a peaceful atmosphere where they could tell their stories and ask for help. Rascon contacted all her resources and was pleasantly surprised when each company bent over backwards to offer deals, advice, and referrals. Rascon learned that she could use her talents and decorating skills to help others be at peace and to dialogue and perform in comfort. She will never forget and will be forever grateful to the sense of community displayed by her city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Christy McGirl conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 21, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Christy McGirl discusses attending the Route 91 Harvest music festival on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada with a few friends and leaving shortly before the mass shooting had occurred. She talks about how she found out about the tragedy and how her friends who were there during the shooting have been affected. McGirl also discusses the reaction of people to the traumatic event on social media and how it was used to offer support.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rodney Sumpter conducted by Dennis McBride on January 20, 2004 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Sumpter discusses Fred Schoonmaker, a Reno, Nevada gay activist, and his efforts to create Stonewall Park, a town for LGBTQ members in Nevada that was never realized. Sumpter describes his professional relationship with Schoonmaker as his attorney. He also recalls the early stages for Stonewall Park, including finding a location and struggling to find financial and local support for the town. Lastly, Sumpter talks about Schoonmaker's HIV health issues and his personal thoughts on the LGBTQ community.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Margarita Rebollal conducted by Marcela Rodriguez-Campo and Barbara Tabach on February 28, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Margarita Rebollal is a lifelong community organizer and advocate for Latinx civic engagement and rights. She shares what it was like to grow up in Ponce, Puerto Rico and shares her childhood memories growing up on the island with her siblings. Rebollal also discusses the death of her father and the eventual move of her family to New York City, New York. She also recalls her education and teen years. Later, she would move to California, and eventually find her way to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1996. Rebollal discusses her passion for civic engagement and the many years serving the community, being most well-known for her role in founding the Puerto Rican Association of Las Vegas and the Hispanic International Day Parade of Nevada. Rebollal also discusses her campaign for the Ward 1 Las Vegas City Council seat.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dona Irene Martin conducted by Stephanie Jean Stinson on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Martin discusses her life living in Las Vegas, Nevada between 1949 and 1981. She also discusses her work as a cook, waitress, bartender at Lorenzi Park (currently Twin Lakes Lodge), and postal clerk. Other topics Martin discusses include the growth of Las Vegas during the 1950s, postal services changes over time, and outlying areas in the Las Vegas Valley including Tule Springs Park.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kenneth Frogley conducted by Perry Kaufman in an unknown date in 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Frogley discusses politics, Las Vegas, Nevada as a western town, hotel and casino industry growth, Helldorado parades, and his work as the first manager of the Desert Sea News Bureau (later known as the Las Vegas News Bureau).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. Marshall Darnell conducted by Cynthia Johnson on November 07, 2001 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Darnell reflects upon his more than 30-year career as a teacher and administrator with the Clark County School District (CCSD) from 1960 to 1994. Darnell describes his approach to school administration, job duties as principal, and some of the biggest challenges that he faced. He discusses school integration and efforts to promote student diversity, as well as the increasing number of women administrators within CCSD.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marjorie Conner conducted by Christine Schaeffer on April 18, 2002 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Conner reflects upon her more than 30-year career in education, with the most of her career being an administrator with the Clark County School District during the 1980s and 1990s. She discusses challenges that she often faced as an elementary school administrator, and the challenge of opening new schools. She describes the differences between starting at an established school and establishing a new school, and how such experiences shaped her philosophy of education. She also reflects upon her time as assistant principal, principal, and regional superintendent, and discusses the different job responsibilities associated with each position.
Archival Collection