https://makersteachingmodules.sites.unlv.edu/files/original/a71e2d5112e3d82d8e3437d35b4a3fff.jpeg 126ae5b39475248bd77999d4393428d0 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource MAKERS Masterlist (Alphabetized) Subject The topic of the resource Makers Teaching Modules Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Women in Nevada History: A Legacy Digital Project Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Person An individual. Work/Contribution State Legislator and County Commissioner Birth Date August 26, 1929 Birthplace Chicago, Illinois Arrival in Las Vegas 1960 Interviewer The person(s) performing the interview Suzanne Becker and Dr. Joanne L. Goodwin Date of Interview April 16, 2008 Biographical Text Myrna Williams was born in Chicago in August of 1929, to William and Betty Tormé. While her father was working as a vaudeville dancer, he met Myrna’s mother, Betty. When vaudeville died out, he became a shop steward, working for the union. When Myrna was ten years-old the family moved to Hollywood, California, where her older brother Mel, a singer, was under contract with MGM. Shortly after Myrna turned 21 years-old, she moved to New York City to work for Decca Records, the label of entertainers such as Bing Crosby, Al Jolson, and Louie Armstrong. While in New York in 1953, she met a jazz drummer named David Williams, and married him soon after their first encounter. Myrna, David, and their young daughter Indy moved to Las Vegas in 1959, planning to stay for a short time while David had a gig at the Sands. The couple liked the city and decided to make it their home. Myrna’s involvement in Nevada politics began almost immediately upon arrival, when she became a member of the Young Democrats and soon began working on campaigns. She soon struck up a close friendships with Harriet Trudell and Flora Dungan. In 1969, Myrna enrolled at UNLV. Over the course of her time at the university, she earned an associate degree in law enforcement and a B.A in social work. It was also during this time that she also became involved with the ERA, welfare rights, and the Campaign for Choice, ultimately leading to her election to the Nevada State Assembly and the Clark County Commission. She taught in UNLV’s department of social work for eleven years. In 2007 the Cambridge Center was designated as the Myrna Tormé Williams Community Campus, a fitting testament to Williams’ dedication to community involvement, and improving people’s lives and opportunities throughout Clark County. Bibliography <a href="https://cdm17304.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/ohi/id/165" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Myrna Williams, “An Interview with Myrna Williams, an Oral History Conducted by Suzanne Becker and Joanne L. Goodwin” [transcript], Las Vegas Women Oral History Project, Series II: Community Builders (2008), Special Collections and Archives, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Myrna Williams Subject The topic of the resource Makers Teaching Modules Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Women in Nevada History: A Legacy Digital Project Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This resource is available for education and research purposes. This collection is a collaboration and combination of various projects including, but not limited to; the Women in Nevada History: A Legacy Digital Project, the <a href="https://www.library.unlv.edu/speccol/collecting_strengths/nwa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nevada Women’s Archives</a>, the <a href="https://www.unlv.edu/wrin/research" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Las Vegas Women Oral History Project</a> and the <a href="http://makersteachingmodules.sites.unlv.edu/makerseries" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Makers: Women in Nevada History Project</a>, a co-production of the <a href="https://www.unlv.edu/wrin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Women's Research Institute of Nevada</a> and <a href="https://video.vegaspbs.org/show/vegas-pbs-documentaries/collections/makers-women-nevada-history/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VegasPBS</a>. The text, images, audio and video in this collection are under copyright by different repositories and may not be reproduced without express written consent of the appropriate entities. Relation A related resource <a href="https://d.library.unlv.edu/digital/collection/p17304coll6/search/searchterm/Las%20Vegas%20Women%20Oral%20History%20Project/field/source/mode/exact/conn/and" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Las Vegas Women Oral History Project</a> Oral History Politics or law