An electroluminescent display includes a transparent electrode (4) and a metal assist structure (6) formed over a portion of the transparent electrode (6) such that the metal assist structure (6) is in electrical contact with the transparent electrode (4). The metal assist structure (6) includes a first refractory metal layer (10), a primary conductor layer (12) formed on the first refractory metal layer (10), and a second refractory metal layer (14) formed on the primary conductor layer (12). The first and second refractory metal layers (10, 14) are capable of protecting the primary conductor layer (12) from oxidation when the electroluminescent display is annealed to activate a phosphor layer (18). In an alternate embodiment, an electroluminescent display includes a substrate (2) and a metal electrode (22) formed on the substrate (2). The metal electrode (22) includes a first refractory metal layer (10), a primary conductor layer (12) formed on the first refractory metal layer (10), and a second refractory metal layer (14) formed on the primary conductor layer (12).