Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Nell M. Conley was conducted by Sara Cook and Amy Kesselman in March 1981. In the interview, Conley discusses her experiences as a welder and crane operator at the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. She talks about using the shipyard day care center, about her commute, and about her involvement in a fashion show for welders. She discusses some of the people she worked with, her membership in the Boilermakers Union, and the treatment of the women workers after the war. She describes her job duties as a crane operator and talks about working as a telephone operator after the war. She closes the interview by sharing her observations on the treatment of Black shipyard workers. Complete transcript available (30 pages).

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Nell M. Conley was conducted by Sara Cook and Amy Kesselman in March 1981. In the interview, Conley discusses her experiences as a welder and crane operator at the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. She talks about using the shipyard day care center, about her commute, and about her involvement in a fashion show for welders. She discusses some of the people she worked with, her membership in the Boilermakers Union, and the treatment of the women workers after the war. She describes her job duties as a crane operator and talks about working as a telephone operator after the war. She closes the interview by sharing her observations on the treatment of Black shipyard workers. Complete transcript available (30 pages).

Tape 3, Side 2. This oral history interview with Lue Rayne H. Culbertson was conducted by Sandy Polishuk at Culbertson’s home in Gresham, Oregon, on May 4, 1981. Culbertson’s husband, Leo W. Culbertson, was also present and contributed to the interview. In this interview, Culbertson discusses her early life in Portland, including working multiple jobs while in high school. She talks about working as a specialty welder in the shipyards in Portland, Oregon, during World War II, the cost of protective clothing, and about injuries on the job. She speaks about working alongside men, describes her job duties, and discusses balancing work and family life. She briefly discusses her wages and her membership in the Boilermakers Union. She then talks about her life after the war, including working as a waitress. She also describes President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1942 visit to the shipyards; talks about her working and living conditions; and describes a typical work day. Complete transcript available (98 pages).

Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Lue Rayne H. Culbertson was conducted by Sandy Polishuk at Culbertson’s home in Gresham, Oregon, on May 4, 1981. Culbertson’s husband, Leo W. Culbertson, was also present and contributed to the interview. In this interview, Culbertson discusses her early life in Portland, including working multiple jobs while in high school. She talks about working as a specialty welder in the shipyards in Portland, Oregon, during World War II, the cost of protective clothing, and about injuries on the job. She speaks about working alongside men, describes her job duties, and discusses balancing work and family life. She briefly discusses her wages and her membership in the Boilermakers Union. She then talks about her life after the war, including working as a waitress. She also describes President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1942 visit to the shipyards; talks about her working and living conditions; and describes a typical work day. Complete transcript available (98 pages).

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Lue Rayne H. Culbertson was conducted by Sandy Polishuk at Culbertson’s home in Gresham, Oregon, on May 4, 1981. Culbertson’s husband, Leo W. Culbertson, was also present and contributed to the interview. In this interview, Culbertson discusses her early life in Portland, including working multiple jobs while in high school. She talks about working as a specialty welder in the shipyards in Portland, Oregon, during World War II, the cost of protective clothing, and about injuries on the job. She speaks about working alongside men, describes her job duties, and discusses balancing work and family life. She briefly discusses her wages and her membership in the Boilermakers Union. She then talks about her life after the war, including working as a waitress. She also describes President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1942 visit to the shipyards; talks about her working and living conditions; and describes a typical work day. Complete transcript available (98 pages).

Tape 2, Side 1. This oral history interview with Lue Rayne H. Culbertson was conducted by Sandy Polishuk at Culbertson’s home in Gresham, Oregon, on May 4, 1981. Culbertson’s husband, Leo W. Culbertson, was also present and contributed to the interview. In this interview, Culbertson discusses her early life in Portland, including working multiple jobs while in high school. She talks about working as a specialty welder in the shipyards in Portland, Oregon, during World War II, the cost of protective clothing, and about injuries on the job. She speaks about working alongside men, describes her job duties, and discusses balancing work and family life. She briefly discusses her wages and her membership in the Boilermakers Union. She then talks about her life after the war, including working as a waitress. She also describes President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1942 visit to the shipyards; talks about her working and living conditions; and describes a typical work day. Complete transcript available (98 pages).

Tape 3, Side 1. This oral history interview with Lue Rayne H. Culbertson was conducted by Sandy Polishuk at Culbertson’s home in Gresham, Oregon, on May 4, 1981. Culbertson’s husband, Leo W. Culbertson, was also present and contributed to the interview. In this interview, Culbertson discusses her early life in Portland, including working multiple jobs while in high school. She talks about working as a specialty welder in the shipyards in Portland, Oregon, during World War II, the cost of protective clothing, and about injuries on the job. She speaks about working alongside men, describes her job duties, and discusses balancing work and family life. She briefly discusses her wages and her membership in the Boilermakers Union. She then talks about her life after the war, including working as a waitress. She also describes President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1942 visit to the shipyards; talks about her working and living conditions; and describes a typical work day. Complete transcript available (98 pages).

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.This oral history interview with Audrey B. Dotsey was conducted by Amy Kesselman on June 15, 1981. In this interview, Dotsey discusses her early life in Arkansas and talks about coming to Oregon in 1943. She talks about working as a scaler for Willamette Iron and Steel (WISCO). She also talks about other jobs she held after the war, including working as a waitress, in canneries, and as a housekeeper. She describes a typical work day as a scaler, discusses her child care arrangement, and talks about discrimination she experienced as a Black woman. She shares her reasons for staying in Portland after the war; talks about her marriages and about adopting children; and speaks further about her experiences in the shipyards. Incomplete transcript available (5 pages).

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Audrey B. Dotsey was conducted by Amy Kesselman on June 15, 1981. In this interview, Dotsey discusses her early life in Arkansas and talks about coming to Oregon in 1943. She talks about working as a scaler for Willamette Iron and Steel (WISCO). She also talks about other jobs she held after the war, including working as a waitress, in canneries, and as a housekeeper. She describes a typical work day as a scaler, discusses her child care arrangement, and talks about discrimination she experienced as a Black woman. She shares her reasons for staying in Portland after the war; talks about her marriages and about adopting children; and speaks further about her experiences in the shipyards. Incomplete transcript available (5 pages).

Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Leona E. Ellis was conducted by Sandy Polishuk in Portland, Oregon, on May 15, 1981. In this interview, Ellis discusses her family background and early life in Portland. She discusses working as a marine machinist for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. She describes her job duties, talks about her experiences as one of the first women in the shipyards, and speaks about some of the people she worked with. She talks about her wages, about her life after the war, and about attending business college. She speaks about her social life during the war, about the dangers of the job, and about her membership in unions. She talks about the treatment she received from her male coworkers, shares her observations of the treatment of Black shipyard workers, and describes the launch of the last Liberty ship. She shares several anecdotes about her time in the shipyards, particularly regarding her experiences as a woman. She closes the interview by looking at photographs and other documents, and talking about them. Incomplete transcript available (10 pages).

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Leona E. Ellis was conducted by Sandy Polishuk in Portland, Oregon, on May 15, 1981. In this interview, Ellis discusses her family background and early life in Portland. She discusses working as a marine machinist for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. She describes her job duties, talks about her experiences as one of the first women in the shipyards, and speaks about some of the people she worked with. She talks about her wages, about her life after the war, and about attending business college. She speaks about her social life during the war, about the dangers of the job, and about her membership in unions. She talks about the treatment she received from her male coworkers, shares her observations of the treatment of Black shipyard workers, and describes the launch of the last Liberty ship. She shares several anecdotes about her time in the shipyards, particularly regarding her experiences as a woman. She closes the interview by looking at photographs and other documents, and talking about them. Incomplete transcript available (10 pages).

Tape 2, Side 1. This oral history interview with Leona E. Ellis was conducted by Sandy Polishuk in Portland, Oregon, on May 15, 1981. In this interview, Ellis discusses her family background and early life in Portland. She discusses working as a marine machinist for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. She describes her job duties, talks about her experiences as one of the first women in the shipyards, and speaks about some of the people she worked with. She talks about her wages, about her life after the war, and about attending business college. She speaks about her social life during the war, about the dangers of the job, and about her membership in unions. She talks about the treatment she received from her male coworkers, shares her observations of the treatment of Black shipyard workers, and describes the launch of the last Liberty ship. She shares several anecdotes about her time in the shipyards, particularly regarding her experiences as a woman. She closes the interview by looking at photographs and other documents, and talking about them. Incomplete transcript available (10 pages).

Tape 2, Side 2. This oral history interview with Leona E. Ellis was conducted by Sandy Polishuk in Portland, Oregon, on May 15, 1981. In this interview, Ellis discusses her family background and early life in Portland. She discusses working as a marine machinist for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. She describes her job duties, talks about her experiences as one of the first women in the shipyards, and speaks about some of the people she worked with. She talks about her wages, about her life after the war, and about attending business college. She speaks about her social life during the war, about the dangers of the job, and about her membership in unions. She talks about the treatment she received from her male coworkers, shares her observations of the treatment of Black shipyard workers, and describes the launch of the last Liberty ship. She shares several anecdotes about her time in the shipyards, particularly regarding her experiences as a woman. She closes the interview by looking at photographs and other documents, and talking about them. Incomplete transcript available (10 pages).

Tape 3, Side 1. This oral history interview with Leona E. Ellis was conducted by Sandy Polishuk in Portland, Oregon, on May 15, 1981. In this interview, Ellis discusses her family background and early life in Portland. She discusses working as a marine machinist for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. She describes her job duties, talks about her experiences as one of the first women in the shipyards, and speaks about some of the people she worked with. She talks about her wages, about her life after the war, and about attending business college. She speaks about her social life during the war, about the dangers of the job, and about her membership in unions. She talks about the treatment she received from her male coworkers, shares her observations of the treatment of Black shipyard workers, and describes the launch of the last Liberty ship. She shares several anecdotes about her time in the shipyards, particularly regarding her experiences as a woman. She closes the interview by looking at photographs and other documents, and talking about them. Incomplete transcript available (10 pages).

Tape 1, Side 1.This oral history interview with Alice A. Erickson was conducted by Amy Kesselman on June 5, 1981. In this interview, Erickson discusses her early life on farms in Nebraska and South Dakota. She talks about her reasons for coming to Oregon in 1941, then discusses her experiences as a tack welder and a driller in the shipyards in Portland. She describes her job duties, talks about the treatment she received from her male coworkers, and discusses jobs she held after the war. Complete transcript available (15 pages).

Tape 1, Side 1.This oral history interview with Edna L. Hopkins was conducted by Amy Kesselman on May 28, 1981. In this interview, Hopkins discusses her early life in Kentucky and Tennessee, including raising a family and working at an aircraft plant. She then talks about coming to Oregon in 1943 and shares her experiences as a welder in the Kaiser shipyards in Vancouver, Washington. She describes her training, her job duties, and the dangers of the job. She discusses her union membership, as well as balancing work and home life. She speaks about her life after the war, including working at the Jantzen Knitting Mills. She shares her opinion on the women’s movement and feminism, shares her observations of the treatment Black people received in Portland, and talks about her children, their families and their careers. Incomplete transcript available (37 pages)..

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Edna L. Hopkins was conducted by Amy Kesselman on May 28, 1981. In this interview, Hopkins discusses her early life in Kentucky and Tennessee, including raising a family and working at an aircraft plant. She then talks about coming to Oregon in 1943 and shares her experiences as a welder in the Kaiser shipyards in Vancouver, Washington. She describes her training, her job duties, and the dangers of the job. She discusses her union membership, as well as balancing work and home life. She speaks about her life after the war, including working at the Jantzen Knitting Mills. She shares her opinion on the women’s movement and feminism, shares her observations of the treatment Black people received in Portland, and talks about her children, their families and their careers. Incomplete transcript available (37 pages)..

Tape 2, Side 1. This oral history interview with Edna L. Hopkins was conducted by Amy Kesselman on May 28, 1981. In this interview, Hopkins discusses her early life in Kentucky and Tennessee, including raising a family and working at an aircraft plant. She then talks about coming to Oregon in 1943 and shares her experiences as a welder in the Kaiser shipyards in Vancouver, Washington. She describes her training, her job duties, and the dangers of the job. She discusses her union membership, as well as balancing work and home life. She speaks about her life after the war, including working at the Jantzen Knitting Mills. She shares her opinion on the women’s movement and feminism, shares her observations of the treatment Black people received in Portland, and talks about her children, their families and their careers. Incomplete transcript available (37 pages).

Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Joan F. Hudlicky was conducted by Sara Cook and Amy Kesselman at Hudlicky’s home in Vancouver, Washington, on April 10, 1981. In this interview, Hudlicky discusses her early life in Portland, Oregon. She talks about her experiences working in the shipyards, particularly her work as a crane operator. She also discusses her life after the war. She describes a typical day in the shipyards, talks about her child care arrangement, and discusses the dangers of the job. She speaks about the treatment she received from her male coworkers and talks about how women’s status in society changed after the war. Incomplete transcript available (29 pages).

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Joan F. Hudlicky was conducted by Sara Cook and Amy Kesselman at Hudlicky’s home in Vancouver, Washington, on April 10, 1981. In this interview, Hudlicky discusses her early life in Portland, Oregon. She talks about her experiences working in the shipyards, particularly her work as a crane operator. She also discusses her life after the war. She describes a typical day in the shipyards, talks about her child care arrangement, and discusses the dangers of the job. She speaks about the treatment she received from her male coworkers and talks about how women’s status in society changed after the war. Incomplete transcript available (29 pages).

Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Beatrice G. Marshall was conducted by Madeline Moore and Christine Poole on June 11, 1981. In this interview, Marshall discusses her involvement in the National Youth Administration during World War II, then talks about her experiences as a Black woman worker in the Portland shipyards. She describes her machinist training in Indiana; speaks about being denied work for which she was qualified due to racial discrimination; and talks about working as a painter’s helper and a sweeper, which were the only jobs open to Black women. She talks about her life after the war, including the jobs she held. Complete transcript available (35 pages).

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Beatrice G. Marshall was conducted by Madeline Moore and Christine Poole on June 11, 1981. In this interview, Marshall discusses her involvement in the National Youth Administration during World War II, then talks about her experiences as a Black woman worker in the Portland shipyards. She describes her machinist training in Indiana; speaks about being denied work for which she was qualified due to racial discrimination; and talks about working as a painter’s helper and a sweeper, which were the only jobs open to Black women. She talks about her life after the war, including the jobs she held. Complete transcript available (35 pages).

Tape 2, Side 1. This oral history interview with Beatrice G. Marshall was conducted by Madeline Moore and Christine Poole on June 11, 1981. In this interview, Marshall discusses her involvement in the National Youth Administration during World War II, then talks about her experiences as a Black woman worker in the Portland shipyards. She describes her machinist training in Indiana; speaks about being denied work for which she was qualified due to racial discrimination; and talks about working as a painter’s helper and a sweeper, which were the only jobs open to Black women. She talks about her life after the war, including the jobs she held. Complete transcript available (35 pages).

Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Betty Niederhaus and Marie Schreiber was conducted by Barbara Whittlesey at Niederhaus’s home in Portland, Oregon, on May 17, 1981. In this interview, they discuss their family background and early life in Portland. They then talk about their experiences as women marine machinists for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. They describe their job duties, talk about the dangers of the job, and speak about people they worked with. They also discuss the experience of being laid off immediately after the war ended. They talk about their lives after the war and Niederhaus speaks about working for Jantzen Knitting Mills. They discuss the lower wages they earn as women, and share their thoughts on the women’s movement and feminism.

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Betty Niederhaus and Marie Schreiber was conducted by Barbara Whittlesey at Niederhaus’s home in Portland, Oregon, on May 17, 1981. In this interview, they discuss their family background and early life in Portland. They then talk about their experiences as women marine machinists for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. They describe their job duties, talk about the dangers of the job, and speak about people they worked with. They also discuss the experience of being laid off immediately after the war ended. They talk about their lives after the war and Niederhaus speaks about working for Jantzen Knitting Mills. They discuss the lower wages they earn as women, and share their thoughts on the women’s movement and feminism.