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Transcript from interview with Essie Lee Jones by Claytee White, June 5, 1996

Date

1996-06-05

Description

Essie Lee Jones moved from the Tallulah, Louisiana, area to Las Vegas in 1969. In the interview, Jones discusses her employment in various positions such as maid, waitress, and casino porter at the Stardust, Frontier, and Aladdin Hotel/Casinos.

Text

Lillie and Johnny Smith oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03914

Abstract

Oral history interview with Lillie and Johnny Smith conducted by Claytee D. White on October 19, 2023 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, the couple recalls meeting in Tallulah, Louisiana and marrying in 1973. In 1986, they relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada. Both Lillie and Johnny went to Job Corp and received training that they insist changed their lives and the trajectory of their family. Johhny learned how to drive and operate heavy machinery, and his job at Republic Services utilizes those skills. Lillie became a social worker after obtaining a master's degree.

Archival Collection

Transcript from interview with Rejoyce Williams by Claytee White, June 12, 1996

Date

1996-06-12

Description

Rejoyce Williams moved to Las Vegas with her husband and their six children in 1960. Williams grew up in Fordyce, Arkansas, and has also lived in California. When she arrived in Las Vegas, she worked as a maid at the Las Vegas Hilton and participated in the Culinary Union strike in 1970. In the interview, she discusses her involvement in church activities, and other anecdotes from her employment.

Text

Avril "Juanita" Simmons and Fred "Bubba" Simmons oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03385

Abstract

Oral history interview with Avril "Juanita" Simmons and Fred "Bubba" Simmons conducted by Claytee D. White on May 21, 1996 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection.

In this interview, husband and wife Bubba and Juanita Simmons talk about their separate moves from Fordyce, Arkansas to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1940s and their impressions of the city after moving. Bubba shares stories of his employment at the Basic Magnesium, Inc. plant in Henderson and his experiences living in tents on the Westside, traveling to work with the help of Red Mitchell, and sharing living spaces with nine to ten other men. Juanita discusses her work as a family's caregiver and speaks to the kinds of occupations Black women obtained in Las Vegas at that time. The couple share stories of city life and the clubs, eateries, and shops that were present in the area.

Archival Collection

Johnson, Viola, 1921-2004

Viola Johnson was born October 12th, 1921 in Fordyce, Arkansas. Johnson moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942 and lived in a tent. During her interview, she describes working conditions for maids and the Culinary Union strikes between 1969 and 1984.

Person