Interview with Ida Bowser conducted by Claytee D. White on August 30, 2007. Born in Tallulah, Louisiana, Bowser came to Las Vegas as a child. Her first job after high school was as a teacher's aide. Later, she worked as a maid at the Sahara and Flamingo hotels. Disenchanted with maid's work, Bowser applied to the welfare office for on-the-job training and began working for the UNLV library, where she remained for thirty-seven years. Bowser recalls Ruby Duncan and the civil rights movement, notable individuals and places, and a discrimination lawsuit.
L-R: University of Nevada, Las Vegas English professor Darlene Unrue and Las Vegas civic leader Edythe Katz at a University Library Society reception, Las Vegas, Nevada.
From the Syphus-Bunker Papers (MS-00169). The folder contains an original handwritten letter, an envelope, a typed transcription of the same letter, and a copy of original letter attached.
Oral history interview with Danit Farwell conducted by Barbara Tabach on March 27, 2018 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Farwell discusses her early life in Morocco, antisemitism she experienced there, and being sent to Israel as a young girl. She recalls the hardships she faced while traveling to Israel, living in a kibbutz, and completing a teaching seminar to become a grade school teacher. Farwell talks about arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1974, her first impression of the city, and her decision to stay. Farwell describes becoming a member of Temple Beth Sholom, being a teacher there, and going to card dealing school. Lastly, Farwell talks about being a part-time card dealer at different casinos on the Strip.
Oral history interview with Kenny Bayless conducted by Eric Billington on November 20, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Bayless begins the interview by talking about his childhood in California and his religious upbringing. He then discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1972 in order to pursue a career in teaching and coaching track. Bayless discusses his views of Las Vegas upon his arrival, namely the perceptions towards black people in the area. He then details his life as a teacher for the Clark County School District (CCSD), and teaching at the juvenile detention center after his retirement from CCSD. Bayless also discusses the night life in Las Vegas from the 1970s to the present, he talks about the exclusion of black people from certain establishments and the Moulin Rouge Hotel as a respite for black night life in West Las Vegas.
In this audio clip, Iris and David speak about going to shows at the hotels in Las Vegas in the 1960s through the 1990s. David Torjman was the Hebrew School teacher at Temple Beth Sholom and taught the children and grandchildren of many hotel owners and operators. They speak about their wedding reception during which Sasha Semenoff played.
Oral history interview with Dr. James LaBuda conducted by Rhonda Calvo on November 08, 2004 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, LaBuda reflects upon his more than 20-year career as an elementary and junior high school teacher and administrator with the Clark County School District (CCSD) from the 1980s to the 2000s. He describes the process by which he became a teacher, and eventually a principal, as well as some of the challenges that he faced at different schools. He discusses challenges surrounding cultural diversity, standardized testing, and the 1988 PEPCON explosion. He reflects upon his training that he believes was the most beneficial for his principalship, discusses his approach to educational leadership, and describes expectations that successful principals would commonly face.
Oral history interview with Pamela Goynes-Brown conducted by Kane Toomer on November 26, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Goynes-Brown discusses her upbringing and describes her life in Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about her education, being involved in music, and explains why her parents decided to move to Las Vegas. Goynes-Brown recalls experiencing racism in school, her employment at Mabel Hoggard Elementary School as a music teacher, and working in the Clark County School District. Later, Goynes-Brown talks about African American community leaders in Las Vegas and serving on the City Council of North Las Vegas. Lastly, Goynes-Brown talks about the importance of voting, especially the African American community, and the development of the West Las Vegas.