Oral history interview with Alice Key conducted by Claytee D. White on February 17 and March 24, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In this interview Alice Key discusses being a chorus line dancer at the Cotton Club in Culver City, California and then moving to Las Vegas, Nevada after her dancing career ended. She then talks about working as a reporter, her involvement with the civil rights movement in Las Vegas, and creating the first all-black television show in the country: Talk of the Town.
Oral history interview with Kim Krantz conducted by Joyce (Marshall) Moore on February 26, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Krantz begins her interview discussing her transition from an east coast dancer to a Las Vegas, Nevada dancer. Krantz discusses the performing scene at the time and the general distaste dancers had for showgirls. Krantz goes on to discusses the details of nudity in performances and the relationships show directors like Harold Minsky and Donn Arden had with their performers. Krantz also discusses her experiences as a dancer and her opinions about the treatment of African American dancers.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas ROTC Records are comprised of administrative files and photographic prints from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) from its inception in 1980 to 1991. The collection includes photographs of cadet activities as well as Army ROTC recruitment materials.
The William E. Ferron Family Papers (1917-1976) are comprised of materials that document the lives of the Ferrons, one of the pioneer families of early Las Vegas, Nevada. It includes biographical material, speeches, and ephemera on patriarch William E. Ferron and his wife, Mary Ruth Cooper Ferron, as well as their two daughters, Barbara Ferron Doyle and Shirley Elizabeth Ferron Swanson.
Oral history interview with Rodel Fuentes conducted by Tracy Fuentes on December 4, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
Rodel Fuentes tells stories of his upbringing in Manila, Philippines, where he was raised in a shared family home amongst his parents, siblings, aunts, and uncles. He talks about his parents' immigration to the United States and how he later joined them in Los Angeles, California where he met and married his wife. Rodel Fuentes shares the couple's decision to move to Las Vegas, Nevada, his work at Dunn Edwards paint company, and how he became a licensed general contractor and real estate agent where he now owns his own company. Rodel Fuentes discusses his thoughts on Las Vegas' diversity, affordability, restaurants, and Asian community. He also talks about experiencing anti-Asian hate, worsened by misconceptions and discrimination that came from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oral history interview with Lucille Bryant conducted by Claytee White on December 13, 1995 and March 01, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Bryant begins the interview discussing her early life in Tallulah, Louisiana. Next Bryant discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to look for work in 1953. Bryant discusses at length life in Tallulah from work to race relations. Bryant goes on to discuss her husband and children and to describe their family life. Bryant lastly discusses her experiences as an African American woman employed as a housekeeper on the Strip and her involvement in the Culinary Union local 226.
Oral history interview with Betty Bunch conducted by Joyce (Marshall) Moore on January 09, 1996 and February 07, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In this interview, Bunch discusses the origins of her dance career and the places her pursuit of this career took her. Bunch discusses the various shows she performed in both in the United States and Europe, and describes the differences between a dancer and a showgirl. Bunch describes the responsibilities and rights of dancers, their contracts, and their leisure activities. Finally, Bunch also discusses her personal life including two of her marriages.
Oral history interviews with Gail S. McQuary conducted by Joanne L. Goodwin on April 14, 1997, April 25, 1997 and May 28, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. McQuary opens her interviews with a discussion of her childhood and her introduction to dance in California. McQuary then talks about getting recruited to perform in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Sahara Hotel and Casino while performing at a fair. McQuary goes on to describe her dance career in Las Vegas and the other casinos where she worked. McQuary also talks about how dancing and shows in Las Vegas changed throughout the years.
Oral history interview with Hazel Hedges conducted by Irene Rostine on October 29, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Hedges opens her interview by discussing her move to Las Vegas, Nevada from Kansas in 1952. She discusses what it was like to move across the country at that time and her search for employment. Hedges describes her work as a waitress at the Thunderbird Hotel and her true interest, real estate. Hedges talks about her real estate career which began in 1960, how that job allowed her to see Las Vegas grow, and her success in the industry. Lastly, Hedges discusses organizations at the time that assisted in the training of women realtors and her own community work.
Oral history interview with Claude Trenier conducted by Claytee White on February 13, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN). Trenier discusses joining a band at the age of twenty two in 1941 and traveling around the country. Trenier describes working in Las Vegas, Nevada; Miami, Florida; and New York City, New York. Trenier also discusses the racism he saw as an African American performer, recalling that racial discrimination was especially fervent in Las Vegas. Trenier describes how many African American musicians and performers were allowed to perform in casinos, but not reside or lounge on the properties. Trenier also discusses the Moulin Rouge and his thoughts about its sudden closure in 1955. Finally, Trenier talks about his interactions with other entertainers at the time like Duke Ellington and Nat Cole King.