“The Women Who Saved History”
“The Women Who Saved History” is a monthly 30-60 minute podcast focused on telling the stories of the many women who have dedicated their lives to preserving the history of the Silver State. Currently, there have been 20 women throughout the state that we have identified, including eight deceased women. Many of our historical institutions are the outcome of their work. Acknowledging these women has long been overdue. We are excited to celebrate them and their accomplishments with our first podcast series.
This program is funded in part with support from Nevada Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities. In addition, we thank Caesar's Entertainment for their sponsorship of this podcast series. Without these sponsors support, this podcast would not be possible.
“The Women Who Saved History”
Joanne Goodwin: Nevada Women's History Scholar and Advocate
Who ensures that women’s voices and contributions aren’t lost to history? In today’s episode of The Women Who Saved History, hosts Claytee White and Su Kim Chung speak with historian Joanne Goodwin, whose work has been crucial in documenting Nevada women’s history. As Professor Emerita of History and Director Emerita of the Women’s Research Institute of Nevada at UNLV, Joanne helped establish the Nevada Women’s Archive, launched the Las Vegas Women Oral History Project, and worked to preserve suffrage sites across the state. She shares how these efforts have helped ensure that women’s voices (especially those often left out of traditional narratives) are accessible to future generations. From her early interest in gender studies to her leadership in historical preservation, Joanne reflects on the challenges of capturing untold stories and the importance of making history available to researchers, students, and the public. Join us as we explore her journey, the impact of her work, and what it takes to keep history alive!
Key Points From This Episode:
- Joanne’s early life and how her parents encouraged her to pursue higher education.
- What shaped her interest in women’s history and how she came to teach at UNLV.
- Her efforts to represent diverse women from different backgrounds in her courses.
- Details of Joanne’s archival work and how Jean Ford helped bring in collections.
- The origins of The Women’s Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN).
- An overview of the Las Vegas Women Oral History Project and how it was expanded.
- Ways that Nevada residents have benefitted from Joanne’s preservation efforts.
- A breakdown of The Suffrage Trail by the National Collaborative for Women’s History Sites.
- How the Las Vegas Women Oral History Project partnered with PBS to create the Makers: Women in Nevada History Collection.
- Key challenges Joanne has faced during her career, from fundraising to communication.
- Surprising reflections and takeaways from Joanne’s journey.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Nevada Women’s Archive at UNLV
Women’s Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN)
WRIN Las Vegas Women Oral History Project
Changing the Game: Women at Work in Las Vegas 1940-1990
Women in Nevada History: A Legacy Digital Project
Makers: Women in Nevada History
National Collaborative for Women’s History Sites
National Votes for Women Trail
Claytee White
Su Kim Chung
Women of Diversity Productions Inc.
Nevada Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities
