UNLV Libraries Acquire Historic Archive on Sex Work Activism

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) has taken a monumental step in preserving the history of sex work advocacy. This August, the UNLV Libraries' Special Collections & Archives announced the acquisition of the Norma Jean Almodovar Papers which is one of the most comprehensive collections of sex work activism materials in the United States.

Spanning over a century (1918–2022) and consisting of more than 80 cubic feet of material, this groundbreaking archive includes personal writings, legal documents, media appearances, organizational records, and more. Much of it comes from Almodovar’s work with the International Sex Worker Foundation for Art, Culture, and Education (ISWFACE), which she founded and led until 2023.

A former Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) traffic officer who became a sex worker and fierce critic of criminalization, Norma Jean Almodovar has spent decades fighting for sex worker rights, exposing corruption, and advocating for justice and safety for all people in the sex trade. Her decision to donate her life’s work to UNLV marks a pivotal moment in preserving the often-erased histories of sex workers and their movements.

The collection is part of UNLV’s broader Sexual Entertainment and Economies initiative, a collaborative effort launched in 2023 to document the cultural and economic impact of adult industries, especially in Las Vegas, a city central to this history. The archive is expected to be a major resource for scholars, students, journalists, and activists for years to come.

UNLV’s Director of Special Collections & Archives, Sarah Quigley, expressed deep appreciation for the donation, calling it a “transformative” addition to the university’s holdings. Sociology Professor Barb Brents, who helped facilitate the acquisition, noted that the archive preserves not only the activism of a single woman but the broader story of a powerful movement that continues today.

This milestone represents a significant recognition of the importance of documenting and honoring the history of sex worker rights and ensuring that future generations have access to these vital stories.

Read more about Norma Jean Almodovar here.