Tape 1, Side 1.This oral history interview with Rosa N. Dickson was conducted by Sara Cook and Amy Kesselman in April 1980. In this interview, Dickson discusses her early life on a farm in Texas, including her experiences during the Depression. She talks about the reasons she came to Oregon in 1943 and about her reasons for staying in Portland after the war. She discusses working as a pipefitter helper and as a tank cleaner in the Albina shipyards; speaks about balancing work and home life; and describes her job duties. She also shares her opinion on feminism and the women’s movement. She talks about her wages and the prices of household goods; about the jobs she held after the war ended; and about drawing Social Security. She also looks at photographs and talks about them. Complete transcript available (32 pages).

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Rosa N. Dickson was conducted by Sara Cook and Amy Kesselman in April 1980. In this interview, Dickson discusses her early life on a farm in Texas, including her experiences during the Depression. She talks about the reasons she came to Oregon in 1943 and about her reasons for staying in Portland after the war. She discusses working as a pipefitter helper and as a tank cleaner in the Albina shipyards; speaks about balancing work and home life; and describes her job duties. She also shares her opinion on feminism and the women’s movement. She talks about her wages and the prices of household goods; about the jobs she held after the war ended; and about drawing Social Security. She also looks at photographs and talks about them. Complete transcript available (32 pages).

Tape 2, Side 1. This oral history interview with Rosa N. Dickson was conducted by Sara Cook and Amy Kesselman in April 1980. In this interview, Dickson discusses her early life on a farm in Texas, including her experiences during the Depression. She talks about the reasons she came to Oregon in 1943 and about her reasons for staying in Portland after the war. She discusses working as a pipefitter helper and as a tank cleaner in the Albina shipyards; speaks about balancing work and home life; and describes her job duties. She also shares her opinion on feminism and the women’s movement. She talks about her wages and the prices of household goods; about the jobs she held after the war ended; and about drawing Social Security. She also looks at photographs and talks about them. Complete transcript available (32 pages).

Tape 1, Side 1. Rose K. Weed worked as a welder in the Kaiser shipyards. In this interview, Weed discusses the kind of work she did at the shipyards, particularly welding. She describes balancing child care and work. She also talks about the work environment at the shipyards, including her experiences with sexism, the dangers of welding, and her daily commute. She closes the interview by discussing the reasons why she didn't send her child to the shipyard child care centers.

Tape 1, Side 1. In this interview, Ruth Cave discusses her work as head teacher at day care centers funded by the Lanham Act of 1940 in Portland, Oregon, during World War II. She talks about some of the children she worked with in Portland; speaks about her teaching methods; and discusses the training available for early childhood educators during the 1940s. She describes some of the children's crafts and activities in the day care centers. She talks about the staff at and the services offered by the day care centers. She compares the Lanham-funded nurseries with the Kaiser day care centers. She speaks about the sanitation protocols at the Lanham-funded day cares.

Tape 1, Side 2. In this interview, Ruth Cave discusses her work as head teacher at day care centers funded by the Lanham Act of 1940 in Portland, Oregon, during World War II. She talks about some of the children she worked with in Portland; speaks about her teaching methods; and discusses the training available for early childhood educators during the 1940s. She describes some of the children's crafts and activities in the day care centers. She talks about the staff at and the services offered by the day care centers. She compares the Lanham-funded nurseries with the Kaiser day care centers. She speaks about the sanitation protocols at the Lanham-funded day cares.

Tape 2, Side 1. In this interview, Ruth Cave discusses her work as head teacher at day care centers funded by the Lanham Act of 1940 in Portland, Oregon, during World War II. She talks about some of the children she worked with in Portland; speaks about her teaching methods; and discusses the training available for early childhood educators during the 1940s. She describes some of the children's crafts and activities in the day care centers. She talks about the staff at and the services offered by the day care centers. She compares the Lanham-funded nurseries with the Kaiser day care centers. She speaks about the sanitation protocols at the Lanham-funded day cares.

Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Ruth K. Drurey was conducted by Amy Kesselman at Drurey’s home in Hillsboro, Oregon, on April 18, 1981. In this interview, Drurey discusses her family background and early life in Milwaukie, Oregon. She describes how she came to work as a burner at the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland during World War II and shares her experiences as a woman worker. She talks about her job duties, about the protective clothing she wore, and about her living arrangement during the war. She describes a typical day in the shipyards, discusses the dangers of the job, and talks about some of the people she worked with. She also discusses her life after the end of the war and speaks at length about her career with the Housing Authority. She shares her thoughts about the women's liberation movement.

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Ruth K. Drurey was conducted by Amy Kesselman at Drurey’s home in Hillsboro, Oregon, on April 18, 1981. In this interview, Drurey discusses her family background and early life in Milwaukie, Oregon. She describes how she came to work as a burner at the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland during World War II and shares her experiences as a woman worker. She talks about her job duties, about the protective clothing she wore, and about her living arrangement during the war. She describes a typical day in the shipyards, discusses the dangers of the job, and talks about some of the people she worked with. She also discusses her life after the end of the war and speaks at length about her career with the Housing Authority. She shares her thoughts about the women's liberation movement.

Tape 1, Side 1. In this interview, Stella I. Vogel discusses her work as a tank cleaner for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. Reynold S. Vogel discusses his work as a welding leadman at the same company. Stella I. Vogel talks about living in Vanport, about the hours she worked, and about her child care arrangements. The Vogels discuss their activities after the war, and Stella I. Vogel briefly talks about her family background and early life. They describe the work they did at the shipyards, talk about tensions between women and men on the job, and Reynold S. Vogel talks about supervising women welders.

Tape 1, Side 2. In this interview, Stella I. Vogel discusses her work as a tank cleaner for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. Reynold S. Vogel discusses his work as a welding leadman at the same company. Stella I. Vogel talks about living in Vanport, about the hours she worked, and about her child care arrangements. The Vogels discuss their activities after the war, and Stella I. Vogel briefly talks about her family background and early life. They describe the work they did at the shipyards, talk about tensions between women and men on the job, and Reynold S. Vogel talks about supervising women welders.

Tape 1, Side 1. The first half of tape one, side one is a speech delivered by an unidentified man circa 1976, regarding his experience in the Oregon Legislature. The second half of tape one, side one, continuing onto tape two, side one, side two, is a discussion held in Salem, Oregon, in around 1977. The speakers include Robert Marx, Anthony Meeker, Margaret Dereli, Mae Yih, Bill Rutherford, Wally Carson, Ken Jernstedt, Tony Van Vliet, and other unidentified legislators. Topics include municipal, county, and state level taxation; revenue sharing; correctional institutions; SB 100 and land use planning; and energy conservation.

Tape 2, Side 1. The first half of tape two, side two, continued from the second half of tape one, side one, is a discussion held in Salem, Oregon, in around 1977. The speakers include Robert Marx, Anthony Meeker, Margaret Dereli, Mae Yih, Bill Rutherford, Wally Carson, Ken Jernstedt, Tony Van Vliet, and other unidentified legislators. Topics include municipal, county, and state level taxation; revenue sharing; correctional institutions; SB 100 and land use planning; and energy conservation. The second half of tape two, side one, continuing onto tape two, side two, is an interview with Tom Mercer conducted by an unidentified man, circa 1976. In the interview, Mercer discusses his heart issues and how it has affected his career; his campaign against Al Ullman; gun control; and health care.

Tape 2, Side. 2. The first half of tape two, side two, continued from the second half of tape two, side two, s an interview with Tom Mercer conducted by an unidentified man, circa 1976. In the interview, Mercer discusses his heart issues and how it has affected his career; his campaign against Al Ullman; gun control; and health care. The second half to tape two, side two, continued onto tape three, side one, is a question and answer session with Tom Mercer and voters during his campaign for Al Ullman’s seat in the Oregon House of Representatives in 1976. Mercer addresses questions regarding abortion and taxation.

Tape 3, Side 1. Continued from tape two, side two, this is a question and answer session with Tom Mercer and voters during his campaign for Al Ullman’s seat in the Oregon House of Representatives in 1976. Mercer addresses questions regarding abortion and taxation.

Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Velma A. Lake was conducted by Amy Kesselman on May 20, 1980. In this interview, Lake discusses her experience as a scaler and a welder at Commercial Iron Works in Portland, Oregon, during World War II. She describes her job duties, discusses her union membership as a scaler, and talks about her child care arrangements. She talks about people she worked with and discusses the diversity of the shipyard workforce. She describes the protective clothing she wore, talks about how women were treated by male coworkers, and speaks about her life after the end of the war.

Tape 1, Side 1. In this interview, Vernette H. Kilger describes her experiences in the Kaiser shipyards in Portland, Oregon, and in Vancouver, Washington. She talks about how she spent her free time; the different ways the shipyards helped women employees; and the management structure within the shipyards. She closes the interview by discussing being laid off after the war and talking about her activities since then.

Tape 1, Side 2. In this interview, Vernette H. Kilger describes her experiences in the Kaiser shipyards in Portland, Oregon, and in Vancouver, Washington. She talks about how she spent her free time; the different ways the shipyards helped women employees; and the management structure within the shipyards. She closes the interview by discussing being laid off after the war and talking about her activities since then.

Tape 2, Side 1. In this interview, Vernette H. Kilger describes her experiences in the Kaiser shipyards in Portland, Oregon, and in Vancouver, Washington. She talks about how she spent her free time; the different ways the shipyards helped women employees; and the management structure within the shipyards. She closes the interview by discussing being laid off after the war and talking about her activities since then.

Tape 1, Side 1. In this interview, Violet McMurtrey discusses her work as a teacher at the day care center in the University Homes war housing project during World War II. She talks about the staff, about the building, and about the equipment. She discusses the care the children received at the center. She talks about the closure of the day care centers after the end of World War II and about her activities after the war. She compares the program at the University Homes day care center with the child care options available at the time of the interview in 1976.

Tape 1, Side 2. In this interview, Violet McMurtrey discusses her work as a teacher at the day care center in the University Homes war housing project during World War II. She talks about the staff, about the building, and about the equipment. She discusses the care the children received at the center. She talks about the closure of the day care centers after the end of World War II and about her activities after the war. She compares the program at the University Homes day care center with the child care options available at the time of the interview in 1976.

Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Virginia I. Larson was conducted by Madeline Moore at Larson’s home in Estacada, Oregon, on April 12, 1981. In this interview, Larson discusses her family background and early life in North Dakota, and shares her family’s experience during the Depression. She describes how she came to work as a machinist at the Kaiser shipyards in Portland, Oregon, during World War II, and shares her experiences as a woman worker. She talks about her job duties, discusses her machinist training, and describes the protective clothing she wore. She talks about the people she worked with, about the dangers of the job, and about her typical daily activities. She speaks about her life after the end of the war, and shares her thoughts about the women’s liberation movement.

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Virginia I. Larson was conducted by Madeline Moore at Larson’s home in Estacada, Oregon, on April 12, 1981. In this interview, Larson discusses her family background and early life in North Dakota, and shares her family’s experience during the Depression. She describes how she came to work as a machinist at the Kaiser shipyards in Portland, Oregon, during World War II, and shares her experiences as a woman worker. She talks about her job duties, discusses her machinist training, and describes the protective clothing she wore. She talks about the people she worked with, about the dangers of the job, and about her typical daily activities. She speaks about her life after the end of the war, and shares her thoughts about the women’s liberation movement.

Tape 2, Side 1. This oral history interview with Virginia I. Larson was conducted by Madeline Moore at Larson’s home in Estacada, Oregon, on April 12, 1981. In this interview, Larson discusses her family background and early life in North Dakota, and shares her family’s experience during the Depression. She describes how she came to work as a machinist at the Kaiser shipyards in Portland, Oregon, during World War II, and shares her experiences as a woman worker. She talks about her job duties, discusses her machinist training, and describes the protective clothing she wore. She talks about the people she worked with, about the dangers of the job, and about her typical daily activities. She speaks about her life after the end of the war, and shares her thoughts about the women’s liberation movement.

Tape 1, Side 1. In this interview, Virla S. Busse discusses working at the Albina Engine & Machine Works shipyard. She talks about her work as a welder, describes her job duties, and talks about her job schedule. She talks about balancing work and family life. She shares her experiences as a woman worker during World War II.

Tape 1, Side 2. In this interview, Virla S. Busse discusses working at the Albina Engine & Machine Works shipyard. She talks about her work as a welder, describes her job duties, and talks about her job schedule. She talks about balancing work and family life. She shares her experiences as a woman worker during World War II.

Tape 1, Side 1. In this interview, Vivian G. Humphrey and John Humphrey discuss Vivian's work as a welder for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. They talk about the training women welders received, about crime in the shipyards, and about the dangers of welding. They discuss the reasons Vivian Humphrey quit in 1943. John Humphrey talks about their commute, about shutting down the shipyards after the war ended, and about his work as a burner and chipper. They discuss how male shipyard employees treated the women workers. They talk about living in war housing in St. Johns and about their daily lives. They discuss their careers and raising a family after leaving the shipyards.

Tape 1, Side 2. In this interview, Vivian G. Humphrey and John Humphrey discuss Vivian's work as a welder for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. They talk about the training women welders received, about crime in the shipyards, and about the dangers of welding. They discuss the reasons Vivian Humphrey quit in 1943. John Humphrey talks about their commute, about shutting down the shipyards after the war ended, and about his work as a burner and chipper. They discuss how male shipyard employees treated the women workers. They talk about living in war housing in St. Johns and about their daily lives. They discuss their careers and raising a family after leaving the shipyards.