Host Erika Washington dedicates this special episode of Sticky Note Conversations to the late Dr. Ruby Duncan (1932–2026), her friend and mentor, recounting Duncan’s move from Louisiana to Las Vegas and her leadership as co-founder of Operation Life and president of the Clark County Welfare Rights Organization, including the 1971 protest that shut down Caesars Palace and her work to bring food stamps to Nevada. Erika interviews retired UNLV Oral History Research Center founding director Claytee D. White about why documenting Las Vegas history matters, how the center collected oral histories of the Black community, and Ruby’s multicultural coalition-building, lobbying, and community programs such as WIC offices, a West Las Vegas library, clinics, employment efforts, and Ruby Duncan Manor. They discuss ongoing threats to voting and civil rights, the need for sustained civic action, and Ruby’s legacy of education, equity, and systemic change.

(00:00) - SNC S3 Claytee White - Ruby Duncan Final
(01:50) - Introduction & Tribute to Ruby Duncan
(04:04) - Clay T. White & the Oral History Research Center
(04:50) - How UNLV Started Collecting Las Vegas History
(08:19) - Learning Las Vegas History & Meeting Ruby Duncan
(11:54) - The Oral History Project & Documenting the African American Community
(16:43) - Ruby Duncan's Work & Operation Life
(18:40) - The Welfare Rights Movement & Food Stamps in Nevada
(21:12) - Operation Life's Lasting Legacy
(34:00) - Storming Caesars Palace & the Multicultural Movement
(36:37) - Keeping the Momentum: Democracy & Civic Engagement
(45:34) - Ruby Duncan's Legacy
(52:08) - Accessing UNLV's Oral History Archives
(54:31) - The American Dream & Closing Tribute

Claytee White - "Fight the Power" A Tribute to Dr. Ruby Duncan