In 1971, Ruby Duncan and other Black mothers from Las Vegas's Historic Westside organized Operation Nevada after state welfare director George Miller imposed severe benefit cuts. With support from national activists and celebrities, they marched into Caesars Palace and later protested at the Sands. Later that month, a federal judge ruled the welfare cuts illegal and ordered the benefits restored. The victory helped Duncan and her colleagues establish Operation Life in 1972, which brought services including a library, medical clinic, childcare, job training, food assistance, and other essential programs to the Westside community.