Claudine Williams
A respected member of Nevada's business community for the past 40 years, Williams paved the way for women in the gaming industry. She was the first woman elected chairman of the board of a bank in the state of Nevada and the first woman inducted into the Gaming Hall of Fame.
In 1965, Williams and her late husband, Shelby, purchased and renovated the Silver Slipper Casino and operated it until its sale to Howard Hughes in 1969. They completed construction and opened the Holiday Casino in 1973. After a long illness, Mr. Williams passed away in 1977. Claudine became president and general manager and continued to expand the business until its sale to Harrah's in 1983. She became chairwoman of the board of Harrah's Las Vegas and remains part of the Harrah's family.
Williams has been chairman of the board of Nevada Commerce Bank, a commissioner on the Nevada State Commission on Tourism, and served on the government affairs committee and the board of advisors of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. Williams is a founding member and past chairman of the UNLV Foundation Board of Trustees and a dedicated supporter of numerous charitable and educational organizations through the Williams Foundation.