Oral history interview with Rosenda Gomez conducted by Stefani Evans on July 24, 2024 for Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Gomez describes her childhood and youth in General Luna, Surigao del Norte, Philippines. She shares about her family's financial struggles, becoming pen pals and eventually marrying an older American man, moving to Texas, and having a daughter. Desparate to leave an abusive marriage, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1993 and worked at the El Cortez making change. After working in a number of casinos, including Imperial Palace, Stratosphere, and Sunset Station, she returned to El Cortez in 1998. Gomez describes how she later became more involved in the Culinary Workers Union (Local 226). In this interview, Gomez describes the physical work of cocktail service; the duties of shop steward and the benefits of Union membership. She recalls San Tomas celebrations in her town and annual Philippines Independence Day celebrations at home; her favorite Filipino foods, and Spring Mountain Road as it was when she arrived in 1993. She also recalls anecdotes of Jackie Gaughan, owner of the El Cortez. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Anne Davis Mulford and Strutt Hurley conducted by Dennis McBride on June 7, 2002 and July 22, 2002 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. Mulford discusses her early life in the Northeast, including her experiences with a lesbian mother and how that affected her early life. She discusses her coming out and her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1990s. Anne recalls her involvement in the LGBTQIA+ community in Las Vegas, including her work on the Las Vegas Pride parade and the beginnings of the LGBTQ Center of Southern Nevada. Finally, she talks about her work building AFAN, the Aid for AIDS of Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frank Wooley conducted by Bruce McLauchlin on April 01, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In his interview, Wooley discusses his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1923 at the age of seventeen, and his efforts to establish himself in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Claytee D. White conducted by Jessica Avila Pifferrer on December 01, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, White discusses her career as the Director of the Oral History Research Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Libraries. She describes why she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1992, enrolling in the American History master's program at UNLV, and participating in the Women in Gaming and Entertainment project. She talks about memorable interviews she has conducted, including interviews with the African American community of Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charles Russell conducted by Stacy Petrelli on April 12, 2003 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Russell reflects upon his nearly 30-year career in school administration in Highland Park, Michigan. He discusses his leadership style as an elementary, middle, and high school principal, and his philosophy of being a leader in the school.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mike Gausling conducted by David G. Schwartz on December 7, 2016 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. In his interview Gausling discusses his forty years in the casino industry. He talks about the positives and negatives in the field of slot management and the differences between local and Strip casino properties.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Henry Zigtema conducted by Cheryl Stewart on February 27, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Zigtema shares personal stories regarding his arrival to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1929, and the development of the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elda Ohrn conducted by Joan R. Buckwalter on February 25, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ohrn discusses her experiences growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1930s and 1940s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Catherine Scherwenka conducted by Claytee D. White on February 28, 2020 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Scherwenka recalls growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and later living in New York City. Scherwenka discusses travelling to India, and how her life changed after that trip. She talks about becoming a oneness meditator, her business, "Interviews Initiative", and coming to Las Vegas in the aftermath of 1 October to perform trauma meditation for first responders.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Donald Zeiter conducted by Robert Beasley on March 14, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Zeiter discusses construction in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection