Frances Humphrey Lecture Series: Westside Slugger: Joe Neal’s Lifelong Fight for Social Justice by John L. Smith

Description

Join John L. Smith as he discusses civil rights and political icon, Nevada State Senator Joe Neal. Neal rose from humble beginnings in Mound, Louisiana, during the Great Depression to become the first African American to serve in the Nevada State Senate. As he climbed through the political ranks, Neal used his position in the state senate to speak on behalf of the powerless for more than thirty years. He took on an array of powerful opponents ranging from the Clark County sheriff to the governor of the state, as well as Nevada’s political kingmakers and casino titans. His successes include improved rights for convicted felons and greater services for public education, mental health, and the state’s libraries. He also played an integral role in improving hotel fire safety in the wake of the deadly MGM Grand fire and preserving the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe, which brought him national attention.

John L. Smith is a longtime journalist and the author of more than a dozen books on some of the most significant characters in Las Vegas history. In three decades as a daily columnist with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, he garnered many state and national awards for his work. In 2016, Smith was named to the Nevada Newspaper Hall of Fame and was part of a group of reporters to receive the Ancil Payne Award for Ethics from the University of Oregon, the Society of Professional Journalists award for Ethics, and the James Foley/Medill Medal for Courage in Journalism from Northwestern University.

There will be copies of his book for sale at the lecture and the author will stay after the lecture to sign books.

Cost:  $8 for adults; free for museum members and ages 17 and under.

Seating is limited; click on the Register Here button to the right to reserve a seat.