Oral history interview with Line Renaud conducted by Claytee D. White on January 08, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Renaud discusses her career as a singer and her experiences being in entertainment and show business. Renaud begins by describing her upbringing in northern France and what life was like in the country during World War II. She discusses becoming a prominent singer following the war, and performing at the Casino de Paris in Paris, France before being asked to lead a show at the Dunes Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s. Renaud talks about her associations with other celebrities, such as recording with Dean Martin and Nat King Cole, and meeting Bob Hope and performing on his show. Renaud also explains how she helped the Paris Las Vegas obtain the rights from the city of Paris, France to recreate the Eiffel Tower and how she organized the opening of the casino.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Charles Guy conducted by Dennis McBride on various dates in April and May of 1995 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. Guy begins by talking about his birth in Brazil, Indiana, his early work selling Civilian Conservation Corps magazine subscriptions, and his travels across the United States before arriving in Boulder City, Nevada in 1938. Next, Guy recalls his early memories of Boulder City, the Las Vegas Wash, and his work at the Boulder Beach campgrounds at Lake Mead Recreation Area and in Overton, Nevada. Guy also discusses the campgrounds' working conditions, entertainment, access to amenities, and work associates. Afterwards, Guy talks about his time as a railroad worker in Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, Block 16 in Las Vegas, Las Vegas entertainers, working as a volunteer fire fighter, and anecdotes about people in his personal life.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Viola Johnson conducted by Claytee D. White on March 03, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Johnson discusses leaving Fordyce, Arkansas in 1942 to join her parents in Las Vegas, Nevada where her first home was a tent. Johnson goes on to discuss life with her parents in Las Vegas including their work and church activities. Johnson also describes her work at the Flamingo Hilton and Sands Hotel and Casino as a maid, and at the Riviera Hotel and Casino making sandwiches. Finally, Johnson talks about labor conditions and the Culinary Union during the early years of the Las Vegas Strip casino development.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kim Krantz conducted by Joyce (Marshall) Moore on February 26, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Krantz begins her interview discussing her transition from an east coast dancer to a Las Vegas, Nevada dancer. Krantz discusses the performing scene at the time and the general distaste dancers had for showgirls. Krantz goes on to discusses the details of nudity in performances and the relationships show directors like Harold Minsky and Donn Arden had with their performers. Krantz also discusses her experiences as a dancer and her opinions about the treatment of African American dancers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Diana Saunders conducted by Joyce (Marshall) Moore on May 23, 1996, conducted by Brigid Kelly on July 22, 2002, and conducted by Joanna Goodwin on August 12, 2002 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In her interviews Saunders discusses her dance career in New York City, New York. Saunders discusses working on Broadway and touring internationally in Europe and Australia as a dancer. Saunders discusses working at the Dunes in Las Vegas, Nevada and her experiences as a dancer in Las Vegas. Saunders also talks about the lengths dancers had to go through to be successful.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Claude Trenier conducted by Claytee White on February 13, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN). Trenier discusses joining a band at the age of twenty two in 1941 and traveling around the country. Trenier describes working in Las Vegas, Nevada; Miami, Florida; and New York City, New York. Trenier also discusses the racism he saw as an African American performer, recalling that racial discrimination was especially fervent in Las Vegas. Trenier describes how many African American musicians and performers were allowed to perform in casinos, but not reside or lounge on the properties. Trenier also discusses the Moulin Rouge and his thoughts about its sudden closure in 1955. Finally, Trenier talks about his interactions with other entertainers at the time like Duke Ellington and Nat Cole King.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Emilie Wanderer conducted by Joanne L. Goodwin throughout February 2000 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Wanderer begins her interview with a thorough discussion of her family history and her parent's influence on her life. Next Wanderer discusses attending law school and her first job at the U.S Attorney's office in New York state. Then Wanderer talks about opening her law firm in Las Vegas, Nevada and eventually becoming the first mother and son law team in the state. Wanderer also discusses her appointment by the American Bar Association and National Association of Women Lawyers to assess the state of family court in Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Barbara Agonia conducted by Suzanne Becker on September 17, 2007, September 25, 2007, and October 02, 2007 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Agonia's interviews begin with an overview of her early life, including her education and study abroad experiences in England during college. During the interview Agonia also discusses attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the 1950s for graduate school. Agonia talks about her community activism with Soroptimist International of Las Vegas, Friends of the Nevada Wildnerness, and Clark County Community College. Lastly, Agonia discusses advocacy initiatives for Great Basin National Park and rape crisis education.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hazel Hedges conducted by Irene Rostine on October 29, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Hedges opens her interview by discussing her move to Las Vegas, Nevada from Kansas in 1952. She discusses what it was like to move across the country at that time and her search for employment. Hedges describes her work as a waitress at the Thunderbird Hotel and her true interest, real estate. Hedges talks about her real estate career which began in 1960, how that job allowed her to see Las Vegas grow, and her success in the industry. Lastly, Hedges discusses organizations at the time that assisted in the training of women realtors and her own community work.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Gail S. McQuary conducted by Joanne L. Goodwin on April 14, 1997, April 25, 1997 and May 28, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. McQuary opens her interviews with a discussion of her childhood and her introduction to dance in California. McQuary then talks about getting recruited to perform in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Sahara Hotel and Casino while performing at a fair. McQuary goes on to describe her dance career in Las Vegas and the other casinos where she worked. McQuary also talks about how dancing and shows in Las Vegas changed throughout the years.
Archival Collection
