Ruby Duncan moved to Clark County in 1952. She quickly became aware of the need for services to assist women and children facing poverty. Her advocacy and dedication led her to establish the Operation Life Community Development Corporation in 1972, one of the nation’s most effective anti-povery programs at the time, and was the first federally funded community development corporation in America that was organized, controlled, and operated by low-income women. Ms. Duncan is credited for leading the fight for Nevada’s underfed children. Within three years of her efforts to raise awareness of this issue, Nevada implemented the Women and Infant Children’s Nutrition Program and a Food Stamp Program. More than 10,000 free lunches per day were served through the District’s system-wide hot lunch program.
Ruby Duncan Elementary School opened in the Summer of 2010.
