Welcome to the final episode of the Women Who Saved History Project with Su Kim Chung and Claytee White! Today, we are reflecting on this project we have put together and discussing some key points. You’ll hear all about the interviews we have done, and we even discuss a few women we wished we could’ve included in these interviews, but unfortunately couldn’t. Finally, we thank some people who have helped us put this podcast together. Our goal throughout this podcast has been to highlight the women who have been so instrumental in collecting and preserving the history of Nevada. Thank you for joining us. We hope this inspires you to continue highlighting the work women do in our society and to keep collecting history!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Welcoming listeners to the last episode of the Women Who Saved History.
• A list of women we couldn’t interview who were impactful in Nevada’s history.
• Looking back on our interviews and the incredible women we’ve spoken to.
• Thanking the team who has put together this podcast.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Elizabeth Patrick

Dorothy Wright

Sue Fawn Chung

In Pursuit of Gold

Jeanne Wier

Effie Mona Mack

Anna Roberts Parks

Nevada Historical Society

Anna Dean Kepper

Elizabeth Warren

Jean Ford

Ellen Knowlton

Heidi Swank

Alicia Barber

Sherry Rupert

Mary Gibson

Joanne Goodwin

Mary Palevsky Granados

Lynn Zook

Marlene Adrian

Claytee White
Su Kim Chung

Denise R Duarte

Erica Vital-Lazare

Women of Diversity Productions Inc.
Nevada Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities

Caesars Entertainment

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From showgirls to scholars, Su Kim Chung has dedicated her career to keeping Nevada’s history alive! In this episode of the Women Who Saved History, our very own Su Kim is opening up

about how her love of history led to her career as an archivist and educator. Tuning in, you’ll

hear all about Su Kim’s work, how it has been used in Nevada, her work with Jerry Jackson and

the Mesquite Club, some of the challenges she faced, her series Fishnets and Spotlights, and

so much more! We also delve into why she decided to obtain her Ph.D. while working full-time, and how she uses social media to reach students and keep them engaged in history. Finally, Su Kim tells us about the article she’s writing about AAPI performers in Las Vegas with her colleague Tammi Kim. You don’twant to miss this captivating conversation, so press play now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Su Kim Chung tells us about her role in preserving the history of Nevada.
• A brief overview of Su Kim’s education, family life, and what inspired her to be a librarian.
• How her work has been used in Nevada by both historians and residents.
• Su Kim tells us about the work she did with the choreographer, Jerry Jackson.
• Some of the challenges she has faced over the years in doing this work.
• Why she loves teaching so much, and a bit about her series, Fishnets and Spotlights.
• What has surprised Su Kim in terms of her ability to succeed in this work.
• Some unique circumstances that led to her success in Nevada.
• Su Kim tells us about one of her first collections, the Papers of the Mesquite Club.
• Why Su Kim decided to go back to school during her work to get a Ph.D.
• How Su Kim reaches students and keeps them engaged in history via social media.
• Su Kim tells us about her article on AAPI performers, particularly George Lee.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Su Kim Chung

Su Kim Chung on LinkedIn

Su Kim Chung on Orcid

Su Kim Chung Harper Collins Publishers

Su Kim Chung SAA

Su Kim Chung Books on Goodreads

Nevada Week in Person S1E61 Su Kim Chung

The Importance of Libraries and Access to Information

UNLV Libraries Post

LISAA Board Bios

Las Vegas Then and Now

‘Bookend: Vintage Vegas’

Claytee White

UNLV

UNLV Special Collections & Archives

UNLV Special Collections & Archives Portal

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Imagine walking into a boarded-up courthouse, its windows gone and walls crumbling, and having the opportunity to help bring it back to life. In this episode of Women Who Saved History, host Claytee White and scholar Su Kim Chung speak with Ellen Knowlton, former FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Las Vegas Division, about her journey from FBI service to founding chair of The Mob Museum’s board. Ellen recounts how she was recruited by Mayor Oscar Goodman, her mission to ensure the FBI’s story was told accurately, and the challenge of transforming a neglected federal building into a world-class museum. She shares vivid memories of restoring original features, from rediscovering the courtroom’s deep red leather doors in the basement to bringing back the building’s brass mailboxes and historic light fixtures. Ellen also reflects on the museum’s role as a community resource, educating visitors about the gritty reality of organized crime and keeping Nevada’s history alive for future generations. Listen to hear how one woman’s dedication helped shape one of Nevada’s most important historical spaces!

Key Points From This Episode:

• How Ellen was recruited by Mayor Oscar Goodman to join the museum project.
• Her path from business major to FBI Special Agent in Charge.
• The mission: accurate FBI portrayal and not glamorizing organized crime.
• Ellen’s first impressions of the abandoned courthouse and its historic significance.
• Restoring original features: red leather doors, brass mailboxes, and light fixtures.
• Overcoming community skepticism and earning trust for the project.
• Building a museum with rigorous fact-checking and historical integrity.
• The Mob Museum’s role as a community hub with programs and panels.
• Educating visitors on the gritty reality of organized crime and its effects.
• Ellen’s pride in the museum’s success and its lasting impact.
• Commitment to evolving exhibits to reflect ongoing organized crime history.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Ellen Knowlton oral history interview | UNLV
The Mob Museum

The Mob Museum Advisory Council

The FBI

'Holding their own: Women special agents valuable to FBI’s mission'

Vote Smart | Facts for All

Oscar Goodman

Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project

Richard Bryan

Richard Bryan | UNLV

Claytee White
Su Kim Chung

Erica Vital-Lazare

Women of Diversity Productions Inc.
Nevada Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities

Caesars Entertainment

Send us a text

Support the show