The Women's Research Institute of Nevada Records (1997-2017) document the establishment and activities of the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The majority of the collection represents research files, correspondence, and other working files kept by Joanne Goodwin, professor of history at UNLV and executive director of WRIN from 1999 to 2017. Materials include information about the creation of WRIN as well as its partnership with the National Education for Women's Leadership program to create NEW Leadership Nevada. Digital files in this collection include WRIN and NEW Leadership event photographs and administrative files used for WRIN operations. Digital files also include copies of annual reports and WRIN newsletters. Also included is a copy of Looking Back at Nevada Women, a documentary hosted by Goodwin. The records provide information on the creation of WRIN and the activities, events, and day to day operations of the institute including information on obtaining and maintaining funding for a research institute.
Oral history interviews with Nanyu Tomiyasu conducted by Robert McCracken on January 18, 2000, February 05, 2000 and April 02, 2000 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) on behalf of the Tule Springs Preservation Committee. Tomiyasu opens his interview by discussing his father's immigration journey from Japan to Las Vegas, Nevada. Tomiyasu then describes his father's career in Las Vegas as a vegetable farmer. He talks about the process and challenges his father faced as a farmer in Nevada, and the techniques he used to maintain his land. Tomiyasu then discusses taking over his father's farm, racial discrimination the family faced, and the farm's purchasing agreements with local grocery stores. He also talks about the water systems his farm and the surrounding area relied on, as well as the animals that lived in the area. Tomiyasu ends his interview by discussing his mother's life story and his wife and children.
The Dorothy Dorothy Photograph Collection (approximately 1910-1985) consists of black-and-white photographic prints and negatives as well as colored transparencies of Dorothy Dorothy. Included are photographs of campaigns, meetings, and banquets with various local and federal politicians. Also included are photographs of her husband, Dale Dorothy, and their ranch in Pahrump, Nevada.
The James E. Deacon Pupfish Research Files (approximately 1960-2015) contain files kept by James E. Deacon, who was a faculty member in the biological sciences and environmental studies department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The collection primarily contains research files and audiovisual recordings about the Devils Hole pupfish, an endangered species of desert fish only found in Nevada. Also included are copies of Deacon’s testimony and reports for a hearing from 2011 on the probable groundwater pumping by the Southern Nevada Water Authority in Spring, Cave, Dry Lake, and Delamar Valleys (SCDD) in Nevada. The SCDD files also contain copies of exhibits referenced by Deacon in his initial and rebuttal reports for the hearing.
Oral history interview with Fluff LeCoque conducted by Joyce Marshall on May 05, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. LeCoque discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada’s entertainment industry. LeCoque recalls her dance experience in Las Vegas including work at the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino, and performing as a principal dancer for Arden-Fletcher Productions at the Desert Inn. LeCoque retired from dancing in 1970 but recalls being lured out of retirement by Donn Arden to become company manager of Jubilee at the new MGM Grand Hotel (later renamed Bally's). Finally, she talks about the economic, social, and political changes that occurred in Las Vegas after World War II.
The Penelope Ruchman Collection of Las Vegas, Nevada Casino Professionals Oral Histories includes interviews conducted by Ruchman from approximately 1999 to 2001 of casino industry workers who worked in Las Vegas, Nevada. The majority of interviews were conducted by Ruchman in their office at Gambler's Book Shop (GBS), but some where conducted in interviewee's homes and offices, or over the phone. The collection represents Ruchman's efforts to interview and document a generation of early casino industry workers that were quickly aging. The project was intended to be compiled as a definitive history of Las Vegas and American gambling, entitled "After the Gold Rush." The project was permanently postponed in the fall of 2001 when Ruchman left GBS to work for Park Place Entertainment as a corporate business and operations analyst, and later as casino operations director for Caesars Palace. Not all interviews have digital transcripts available.
The Latino Youth Leadership Conference Records (1994-2018) primarily contain digitized copies of conference programs for the annual Latino Youth Leadership Conference (LYLC) held at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The collection include a digitized copy of an article published in the Latin Chamber of Commerce newsletter written by LYLC attendees Rocio Ledesma and Nidya Rivera describing their experiences attending the 2001 conference. Also included are twelve black-and-white photographs of LYLC attendees at the 2001 conference. LYLC attendees Dr. Rudy Acuña from California State Northridge and Rosemary Flores from BEST Coalition for a Safe and Drug Free Nevada are also depicted in the photographs.
The Women of Diversity Productions, Inc. Records (approximately 1920-2018) contain the records of Las Vegas, Nevada based organization, Women of Diversity Productions, Inc (WOD). The collection is comprised of operational records and research primarily created by WOD's founder, Dr. Marlene Adrian. The records represent the organization's work in publishing, creating documentaries, and organizing events highlighting the history and achievements of women in Nevada's history. Records include event files, Board of Director meeting agendas and minutes, grant applications, and research files for WOD's activities including projects for the Las Vegas Centennial and Nevada Sesquicentennial events. The materials also include research and final reports for the 2017 and 2018 Gaming Gender Equality Index which was co-authored by Adrian and Denise R. Duarte.
The Senator Chic Hecht Political Papers (1943-1988) contain the political papers of United States Senator and Las Vegas, Nevada businessman Chic Hecht. The bulk of the collection contains legislation, notes, correspondence between Hecht and constituents and other members of Congress, and speeches from Senator Hecht's term in the Senate from 1982 to 1988. Also included are files on civil service, the federal budget, education, labor, transportation, land management, foreign policy, public health, and trade.
Oral history interview with Joy Rineer conducted by Claytee D. White on December 07, 2017 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Rineer discusses her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes her career as an architect, designing the Resilience Center for those affected by the 1 October shooting, and the city’s response to the shooting. Later, Rineer describes helping the grief-stricken city through architecture, establishing the Leadership Las Vegas program, and organizing blood drives. Lastly, Rineer discusses the changes in Las Vegas after the tragedy.