Joseph, Katherine M.

Katherine M. Joseph was born December 31, 1931 in Oakland, California. She came to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1950 at the age of 19 and was immediately employed at the Elks Club as a dancer and cocktail waitress. Soon after that she joined a dance show as well, which took her to Havana, Cuba for a year.

Joseph’s background as a trained dancer would lead her to a chance to work and travel with Josephine Baker. Upon her return to Las Vegas, she became employed at the Cotton Club as a barmaid. Joseph also found the opportunity to contribute to the improvement of others' lives through her many years working with Lubertha Johnson, founder of Operation Independence and a leading Nevada civil rights activist. She was also involved in the Economic Opportunity Board.