Oral history interviews with June Monroe and Kazuko Atomura conducted by Cecilia Winchell and Stefani Evans on July 14 and July 19, 2022 for Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In the first interview, Kazuko Atomura describes her childhood in Taiwan and Tokyo, Japan, and shares both happy and difficult mememories of that time. Atomura eventually moved to Los Angeles, California, where she reconnected with a man she previously met in Japan. She married him and together had their daughter, June Monroe, and another son while living in Corpus Christi, Texas. After difficult medical procedures involving Atomura's husband and Monroe's younger brother, Brian, the family relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada. Monroe recalls attending Las Vegas High School and Bonanza High School, and the struggle of making new friends as a young person.

In the second interview, the mother and daughter discuss racism, discrimination, and identity. Kazuko Atomura recalls her many experiences with discrimination as a result of both her appearance and language barriers. June Monroe discusses how she came to be proud of her Japanese heritage, while Atomura discusses some of the community activities she has been involved in since living in Las Vegas including the Japanese Culture Club and odori dancing. Then, both Atomura and Monroe discuss Monroe's brother, Brian, who received two kidney transplants; one from Monroe's father and one from Monroe herself. Atomura talks about the shrines she has built for Brian, the experience of him being on dialysis, care taking, and his final days. Monroe shares about her activism with organ donation, being regularly involved with the Nevada Donor Network and helping to pass significant pieces of legislation within the area of organ donation.

Digital audio available; no transcript available.

This is part 4 of 6 finding aids for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Creative Services Records and represents 2000 to 2009. Generally, materials are transferred from UNLV Photo Services to UNLV Special Collections and Archives 5 years after they are created. For materials within the last 5 years, contact photo@unlv.edu or call 702-895-3036. This finding aid contains the contact sheets and digital files produced by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas from 2000 to 2009 as an official record of the institution's development, activities, and community. Clients include UNLV colleges and departments, the University's administration, the UNLV Foundation, athletic departments, and the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). Images include academic activities, athletic events, faculty and administration, student life, campus life, campus development, architecture, and public relations.