Operation Life


Operation Life was a nonprofit organization, founded in May 1972, that campaigned for welfare rights in West Las Vegas. The organization was formed by a group of Westside mothers, Ruby Duncan, Essie Henderson, Alversa Beals, Mary Wesley, Emma Stampley, and Rosie Seals. The six women also founded the Clark County Welfare Rights Organization, which was a chapter of the National Welfare Rights Organization.
Ruby Duncan was the executive director of Operation Life from 1972 until 1990 when she retired due to her health. The organization established the first library, first day care center, and first public swimming pool in Las Vegas's black Westside neighborhood, and also created a children's medical clinic, a jobs program, and a drug and violence prevention program, among other services. Operation Life employed over 100 people, mostly former welfare mothers, by 1980. The organization received grants in the 1980s from the city of Las Vegas and the U.S. Dept. of Housing to build new housing for low-income families. The nonprofit ceased operations in 1992.