Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Ree F. Adkins was conducted by Lynn Taylor at Adkins’ home in Vancouver, Washington, on June 2, 1981. In this interview, Adkins discusses her family background and early life in Hardman, Oregon. She talks about her career as a teacher, about her experience during the Depression, and about her marriage to Conser L. Adkins. She describes how she came to work as an electrician at the Kaiser shipyards in Vancouver, Washington, during World War II, and shares her experiences as a woman worker in the shipyards. She talks about her job duties, about the people she worked with, and about the protective clothing she wore. She discusses her living conditions during the war, her commute to the shipyards, and briefly working in the cafeteria at the Kaiser hospital. She describes a typical day during the time she worked in the shipyards, talks about her life after the end of the war, and shares her thoughts about women in the workforce.

Tape 2, Side 1. This oral history interview with Ree F. Adkins was conducted by Lynn Taylor at Adkins’ home in Vancouver, Washington, on June 2, 1981. In this interview, Adkins discusses her family background and early life in Hardman, Oregon. She talks about her career as a teacher, about her experience during the Depression, and about her marriage to Conser L. Adkins. She describes how she came to work as an electrician at the Kaiser shipyards in Vancouver, Washington, during World War II, and shares her experiences as a woman worker in the shipyards. She talks about her job duties, about the people she worked with, and about the protective clothing she wore. She discusses her living conditions during the war, her commute to the shipyards, and briefly working in the cafeteria at the Kaiser hospital. She describes a typical day during the time she worked in the shipyards, talks about her life after the end of the war, and shares her thoughts about women in the workforce.

Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Ree F. Adkins was conducted by Lynn Taylor at Adkins’ home in Vancouver, Washington, on June 2, 1981. In this interview, Adkins discusses her family background and early life in Hardman, Oregon. She talks about her career as a teacher, about her experience during the Depression, and about her marriage to Conser L. Adkins. She describes how she came to work as an electrician at the Kaiser shipyards in Vancouver, Washington, during World War II, and shares her experiences as a woman worker in the shipyards. She talks about her job duties, about the people she worked with, and about the protective clothing she wore. She discusses her living conditions during the war, her commute to the shipyards, and briefly working in the cafeteria at the Kaiser hospital. She describes a typical day during the time she worked in the shipyards, talks about her life after the end of the war, and shares her thoughts about women in the workforce.

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Dorothy R. Anderson was conducted by Amy Kesselman at the U.S. Bancorp Building in Portland, Oregon, on May 22, 1981. In this interview, Anderson discusses her early life in Salem, and talks about jobs she worked during the Depression. She describes how she came to work as an electrician at Commercial Iron Works and at Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland. She also talks about her marriage in 1940 and about her divorce in 1944. She shares her experiences as a woman worker in the shipyards, talks about her job duties, and describes the dangers of the job. She talks about the jobs she held after the end of the war, particularly her career with the U.S. National Bank of Oregon, shares her thoughts on the women's liberation movement, and discusses her plans for retirement.

Transcript. This oral history interview with Doris Avshalomov was conducted by Madeline Moore at Avshalomov’s home in Portland, Oregon, on June 5, 1981. In this interview, Avshalomov discusses her early life in Portland, Oregon, including her experience at Reed College. She speaks about working as an electrician in the Kaiser shipyard in Vancouver, Washington; shares her observations on the experiences of Black shipyard workers; and describes some of the discrimination she experienced due to her age, her gender, and her friendliness towards Black workers. She talks about her training and describes her job duties; talks about her living situation; and then speaks about her life after the war. She shares her reasons for leaving the shipyards in 1944. She reads a poem she wrote about working in the shipyards. She closes the interview by talking about some of the people she met in the shipyards. Complete transcript available (35 pages).

Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Dorothy R. Anderson was conducted by Amy Kesselman at the U.S. Bancorp Building in Portland, Oregon, on May 22, 1981. In this interview, Anderson discusses her early life in Salem, and talks about jobs she worked during the Depression. She describes how she came to work as an electrician at Commercial Iron Works and at Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland. She also talks about her marriage in 1940 and about her divorce in 1944. She shares her experiences as a woman worker in the shipyards, talks about her job duties, and describes the dangers of the job. She talks about the jobs she held after the end of the war, particularly her career with the U.S. National Bank of Oregon, shares her thoughts on the women's liberation movement, and discusses her plans for retirement.

Tape 2, Side 1. This oral history interview with Doris Avshalomov was conducted by Madeline Moore at Avshalomov’s home in Portland, Oregon, on June 5, 1981. In this interview, Avshalomov discusses her early life in Portland, Oregon, including her experience at Reed College. She speaks about working as an electrician in the Kaiser shipyard in Vancouver, Washington; shares her observations on the experiences of Black shipyard workers; and describes some of the discrimination she experienced due to her age, her gender, and her friendliness towards Black workers. She talks about her training and describes her job duties; talks about her living situation; and then speaks about her life after the war. She shares her reasons for leaving the shipyards in 1944. She reads a poem she wrote about working in the shipyards. She closes the interview by talking about some of the people she met in the shipyards. Complete transcript available (35 pages).

Transcript. This oral history interview with Kay Baker was conducted by Karen Wickre at Baker’s home in Portland, Oregon, on April 4, 1981. In this interview, Baker discusses her early life in Oswego (now known as Lake Oswego), Oregon, including her experiences during the Depression. She shares the reasons why she chose not to get married. She then talks about working as a burner for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation and for Commercial Iron Works, describes how the work affected her health, and discusses some of the people she worked with. She talks about her wages, about her membership in the Boilermakers Union, and about her reasons for leaving the shipyards. She shares her observations about the experiences of Black shipyard workers, describes a typical workday, and describes some of the treatment that women workers received from their male coworkers. She talks about her life after the war, particularly her experiences working at Precision Cast Parts. She closes the interview by sharing her thoughts on the women’s movement and feminism. Complete transcript available (52 pages).

Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Doris Avshalomov was conducted by Madeline Moore at Avshalomov’s home in Portland, Oregon, on June 5, 1981. In this interview, Avshalomov discusses her early life in Portland, Oregon, including her experience at Reed College. She speaks about working as an electrician in the Kaiser shipyard in Vancouver, Washington; shares her observations on the experiences of Black shipyard workers; and describes some of the discrimination she experienced due to her age, her gender, and her friendliness towards Black workers. She talks about her training and describes her job duties; talks about her living situation; and then speaks about her life after the war. She shares her reasons for leaving the shipyards in 1944. She reads a poem she wrote about working in the shipyards. She closes the interview by talking about some of the people she met in the shipyards. Complete transcript available (35 pages).

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Doris Avshalomov was conducted by Madeline Moore at Avshalomov’s home in Portland, Oregon, on June 5, 1981. In this interview, Avshalomov discusses her early life in Portland, Oregon, including her experience at Reed College. She speaks about working as an electrician in the Kaiser shipyard in Vancouver, Washington; shares her observations on the experiences of Black shipyard workers; and describes some of the discrimination she experienced due to her age, her gender, and her friendliness towards Black workers. She talks about her training and describes her job duties; talks about her living situation; and then speaks about her life after the war. She shares her reasons for leaving the shipyards in 1944. She reads a poem she wrote about working in the shipyards. She closes the interview by talking about some of the people she met in the shipyards. Complete transcript available (35 pages).

Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Kay Baker was conducted by Karen Wickre at Baker’s home in Portland, Oregon, on April 4, 1981. In this interview, Baker discusses her early life in Oswego (now known as Lake Oswego), Oregon, including her experiences during the Depression. She shares the reasons why she chose not to get married. She then talks about working as a burner for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation and for Commercial Iron Works, describes how the work affected her health, and discusses some of the people she worked with. She talks about her wages, about her membership in the Boilermakers Union, and about her reasons for leaving the shipyards. She shares her observations about the experiences of Black shipyard workers, describes a typical workday, and describes some of the treatment that women workers received from their male coworkers. She talks about her life after the war, particularly her experiences working at Precision Cast Parts. She closes the interview by sharing her thoughts on the women’s movement and feminism. Complete transcript available (52 pages).

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Kay Baker was conducted by Karen Wickre at Baker’s home in Portland, Oregon, on April 4, 1981. In this interview, Baker discusses her early life in Oswego (now known as Lake Oswego), Oregon, including her experiences during the Depression. She shares the reasons why she chose not to get married. She then talks about working as a burner for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation and for Commercial Iron Works, describes how the work affected her health, and discusses some of the people she worked with. She talks about her wages, about her membership in the Boilermakers Union, and about her reasons for leaving the shipyards. She shares her observations about the experiences of Black shipyard workers, describes a typical workday, and describes some of the treatment that women workers received from their male coworkers. She talks about her life after the war, particularly her experiences working at Precision Cast Parts. She closes the interview by sharing her thoughts on the women’s movement and feminism. Complete transcript available (52 pages).

Tape 2, Side 1. This oral history interview with Kay Baker was conducted by Karen Wickre at Baker’s home in Portland, Oregon, on April 4, 1981. In this interview, Baker discusses her early life in Oswego (now known as Lake Oswego), Oregon, including her experiences during the Depression. She shares the reasons why she chose not to get married. She then talks about working as a burner for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation and for Commercial Iron Works, describes how the work affected her health, and discusses some of the people she worked with. She talks about her wages, about her membership in the Boilermakers Union, and about her reasons for leaving the shipyards. She shares her observations about the experiences of Black shipyard workers, describes a typical workday, and describes some of the treatment that women workers received from their male coworkers. She talks about her life after the war, particularly her experiences working at Precision Cast Parts. She closes the interview by sharing her thoughts on the women’s movement and feminism. Complete transcript available (52 pages).

Tape 2, Side 1. This oral history interview with Reva E. Baker was conducted by Sandy Polishuk at Baker’s home in Lake Oswego, Oregon, on April 24, 1981. The audio recording is incomplete; Tape 1 of the interview was not included in the donation of this collection to the Oregon Historical Society. In this interview, Baker discusses her experience as a welder at the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland, Oregon, during World War II. She looks through her scrapbook and talks about the newspaper clippings, photographs, and letters in it. She describes her job duties, discusses the ship construction process, and talks about celebrity visits to the shipyards. She discusses the dangers of the job. She also shares her memories of participating in a welding contest. She shares her thoughts about the women’s liberation movement. She talks about her life after the end of the war, including her career with a telephone company, and about her family.

Tape 3, Side 2. This oral history interview with Reva E. Baker was conducted by Sandy Polishuk at Baker’s home in Lake Oswego, Oregon, on April 24, 1981. The audio recording is incomplete; Tape 1 of the interview was not included in the donation of this collection to the Oregon Historical Society. In this interview, Baker discusses her experience as a welder at the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland, Oregon, during World War II. She looks through her scrapbook and talks about the newspaper clippings, photographs, and letters in it. She describes her job duties, discusses the ship construction process, and talks about celebrity visits to the shipyards. She discusses the dangers of the job. She also shares her memories of participating in a welding contest. She shares her thoughts about the women’s liberation movement. She talks about her life after the end of the war, including her career with a telephone company, and about her family.

Transcript. This oral history interview with Helen E. Berggren was conducted by Sara Cook and Lynn Taylor at Berggren’s home in Brush Prairie, Oregon, on May 23, 1981. In this interview, Berggren discusses her early life in North Dakota and describes the death of her mother in 1920. She talks about working as an electrician at the Kaiser shipyard in Vancouver, Washington. She talks about other jobs she worked and raising her family. She speaks about the people she worked with at the shipyard, about her job duties, and about the dangers of the job. She speaks at length about her life after the war, particularly about houses where she lived in Brush Prairie, and revisits the topic of her early life to talk about her education. She closes the interview by talking about a trip she took to Washington, D.C. Complete transcript available (36 pages).

Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Helen E. Berggren was conducted by Sara Cook and Lynn Taylor at Berggren’s home in Brush Prairie, Oregon, on May 23, 1981. In this interview, Berggren discusses her early life in North Dakota and describes the death of her mother in 1920. She talks about working as an electrician at the Kaiser shipyard in Vancouver, Washington. She talks about other jobs she worked and raising her family. She speaks about the people she worked with at the shipyard, about her job duties, and about the dangers of the job. She speaks at length about her life after the war, particularly about houses where she lived in Brush Prairie, and revisits the topic of her early life to talk about her education. She closes the interview by talking about a trip she took to Washington, D.C. Complete transcript available (36 pages).

Tape 3, Side 1. This oral history interview with Reva E. Baker was conducted by Sandy Polishuk at Baker’s home in Lake Oswego, Oregon, on April 24, 1981. The audio recording is incomplete; Tape 1 of the interview was not included in the donation of this collection to the Oregon Historical Society. In this interview, Baker discusses her experience as a welder at the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland, Oregon, during World War II. She looks through her scrapbook and talks about the newspaper clippings, photographs, and letters in it. She describes her job duties, discusses the ship construction process, and talks about celebrity visits to the shipyards. She discusses the dangers of the job. She also shares her memories of participating in a welding contest. She shares her thoughts about the women’s liberation movement. She talks about her life after the end of the war, including her career with a telephone company, and about her family.

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Helen E. Berggren was conducted by Sara Cook and Lynn Taylor at Berggren’s home in Brush Prairie, Oregon, on May 23, 1981. In this interview, Berggren discusses her early life in North Dakota and describes the death of her mother in 1920. She talks about working as an electrician at the Kaiser shipyard in Vancouver, Washington. She talks about other jobs she worked and raising her family. She speaks about the people she worked with at the shipyard, about her job duties, and about the dangers of the job. She speaks at length about her life after the war, particularly about houses where she lived in Brush Prairie, and revisits the topic of her early life to talk about her education. She closes the interview by talking about a trip she took to Washington, D.C. Complete transcript available (36 pages).

Tape 1, Side 1.This oral history interview with Kay Blair was conducted by Madeline Moore on April 26, 1980. Blair’s daughter, Nancy K. Blair, was also present. In this interview, Blair discusses her experience working as an electrician in the Kaiser shipyard on Swan Island. She talks about her commute, about balancing home life and her career, and shares instances of sexual harassment she experienced from her male coworkers. She describes working with asbestos and other health hazards of the job. She also talks about race and sex segregation that she observed. She describes a typical work day, talks about her training, and shares her reasons for seeking work as an electrician. She also talks about the Kaiser child service centers. She discusses her reasons for leaving the shipyards and talks about her life after the war. She also talks about her membership in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and describes her working and living conditions. She closes the interview by sharing her thoughts about the women’s movement and feminism. Incomplete transcript available (13 pages).

Tape 2, Side 1.This oral history interview with Helen E. Berggren was conducted by Sara Cook and Lynn Taylor at Berggren’s home in Brush Prairie, Oregon, on May 23, 1981. In this interview, Berggren discusses her early life in North Dakota and describes the death of her mother in 1920. She talks about working as an electrician at the Kaiser shipyard in Vancouver, Washington. She talks about other jobs she worked and raising her family. She speaks about the people she worked with at the shipyard, about her job duties, and about the dangers of the job. She speaks at length about her life after the war, particularly about houses where she lived in Brush Prairie, and revisits the topic of her early life to talk about her education. She closes the interview by talking about a trip she took to Washington, D.C. Complete transcript available (36 pages).