Oral history interview with Marisa Rodriguez conducted by Maribel Estrada Calderón, Monserrath Hernández and Claytee D. White for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project.
Marisa Rodriguez discusses her childhood and living in North Las Vegas as a teenager; she was born in Chicago, Illinois, moved to Mexico with her family at a young age, and returned to the United States at age 12. She recounts what it was like acclimating to American life, learning English, and studying abroad in Spain before becoming a law student. Marisa attended the William S. Boyd School of Law and is currently a civil litigator in Las Vegas.
Subjects discussed include: La Voz Hispanic/Latino Law Students Association at the William S. Boyd School of Law; Huellas mentorship program.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gladis Blanco conducted by Rodrigo Vazquez on January 15, 2021 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project.
Gladis Blanco discusses her early childhood with her grandmother in Guatemala before immigrating to Long Beach, California and then moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Gladis worked for the Mirage Hotel and Casino before the 2008 recession, afterwards joining the Culinary Workers Union. She talks of how joining the union made her more aware of politics and led her to canvas for the 2021 Georgia Senate race. She also discusses the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Meyer Lansky II conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 23, 2021 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Meyer Lansky II (named after his grandfather, Meyer Lansky, who was known as the "Mob's accountant") discusses his family's history and how he intends to preserve it. He talks of his time working in the casino industry for over three decades and his current pursuit of writing a book about his grandfather based on hundreds of handwritten letters passed down from Lansky I. Meyer is also currently a historian at the Mob Museum.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Laura Sussman conducted by Barbara Tabach on October 29, 2020 for The Great Pause: Las Vegas Chronicles of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Laura moved to Las Vegas in 1990. She and her wife, Wendy Kraft, own the Kraft-Sussman funeral home in Las Vegas. Laura talks of her work as a funeral director and in the community as President of the Jewish Family Services Agency. She also discusses the impacts of COVID-19 she's witnessed on Las Vegas residents. Subjects discussed include: COVID-19 impacts; traveling during COVID-19; networking with other funeral homes; Jewish Family Services community support
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. Alvaro Vergara-Mery conducted by Barbara Tabach on October 28, 2020 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Alvaro discusses his personal history and his upbringing in both Chile and the United Kingdom before immigrating to the United States; due to political unrest in Chile, he moved to the U.K. where his mother was born before attending university in the United States. Alvaro talks about his work as a medical interpreter for University Medical Center (UMC) as well as his college teaching experience at University of Nevada Las Vegas and California State Berkley.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Katrina Sandigo conducted by Nathalie Martinez and Barbara Tabach on August 28, 2020 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project.
Katrina talks about her family's history and her grandfather's immigration to the United States from Nicaragua. She discusses her education and her time spent studying at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) and her work with the Clark County School District (CCSD). She is currently the Education Director for Nevada's Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Katrina also shares her religious faith and how she is active in the Jewish community of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carmen Mahan conducted by Nathalie Martinez and Barbara Tabach on November 18, 2019 and August 19, 2020 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project.
Carmen discusses her personal history growing up in Barranquilla, Colombia and her professional aspirations in her present work; she is the founder of the Colombian Association of Nevada, a former member of the Professional Latina Women organization in Las Vegas, and has worked with Senator Harry Reid as a representative of the Colombian community related to voting rights and access. Subjects discussed include: Colombian Association of Nevada; National Hispanic Leadership Summit
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rosa Lee Brewer, Maxine Westby, and Angelia Carter conducted by Claytee D. White on April 17, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Brewer discusses her early life in Birmingham, Alabama and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1957. Brewer and Westby remember living in the Westside, J Street and Jackson Street businesses, and the issue of homelessness in that area. Later, Brewer, Westby, and Carter discuss the schools on the Westside and school integration. Lastly, Brewer, Westby, and Carter discuss changes in the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Brian "Paco" Alvarez conducted by Monserrath Hernández and Barbara Tabach on January 28, February 13, and February 25, 2020 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project.
Paco, a Las Vegas native, talks about his personal history and cultural roots as well as the history of Las Vegas and the University of Nevada Las Vegas. An artist, curator, and historian, Paco highlights historical events that have shaped Las Vegas from past to present.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Irene Bustamante Adams conducted by Monserrath Hernández and Claytee D. White on May 13, 2020 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project.
Irene discusses her personal history, her culture and family traditions, and her previous employment. She also talks about her time in Las Vegas and how she came to be a representative for District 42 in the Nevada Assembly. Subjects discussed include: Migrant Farmworkers; California; Mexican culture; Equal Opportunity Program
Archival Collection