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 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 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 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 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. 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 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 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 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 Rita M. Lievsay was conducted by Sandra Cook and Amy Kesselman in October, 1980. In this interview, Livesay describes how she came to work as a riveter in the Kaiser shipyards in Portland, Oregon, and shares her experiences as a woman worker. She talks about her wages, about the different jobs she worked in the shipyards, and about the houses she lived in. She shares her work history and discusses her life after the end of the war.

Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Rita M. Lievsay was conducted by Sandra Cook and Amy Kesselman in October, 1980. In this interview, Livesay describes how she came to work as a riveter in the Kaiser shipyards in Portland, Oregon, and shares her experiences as a woman worker. She talks about her wages, about the different jobs she worked in the shipyards, and about the houses she lived in. She shares her work history and discusses her life after the end of the war.

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.

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 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 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 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 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 2, Side 2. This oral history interview with Patricia L. Rowlands was conducted by Karen Wickre at Rowlands’ home in Gresham, Oregon, on May 20, 1981. In this interview, Rowlands discusses her family background and early life in Portland, including attending high school with Connie McCready, her experience during the Depression, and her first marriage. She describes how she came to work on a clean-up crew at the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland, and shares her experiences as a woman worker in the shipyards. She talks about people she worked with, describes her job duties, and discusses the dangers of the job. She shares her experience with the Kaiser child care centers. She speaks about later working as an electrician trainee at the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. She describes her typical day as a shipyard worker, then talks about her life after the end of the war, including the end of her first marriage and working at Jantzen Mills. She speaks about her children, their families, and their careers. She shares her thoughts about the women’s liberation movement.

Tape 2, Side 1. This oral history interview with Patricia L. Rowlands was conducted by Karen Wickre at Rowlands’ home in Gresham, Oregon, on May 20, 1981. In this interview, Rowlands discusses her family background and early life in Portland, including attending high school with Connie McCready, her experience during the Depression, and her first marriage. She describes how she came to work on a clean-up crew at the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland, and shares her experiences as a woman worker in the shipyards. She talks about people she worked with, describes her job duties, and discusses the dangers of the job. She shares her experience with the Kaiser child care centers. She speaks about later working as an electrician trainee at the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. She describes her typical day as a shipyard worker, then talks about her life after the end of the war, including the end of her first marriage and working at Jantzen Mills. She speaks about her children, their families, and their careers. She shares her thoughts about the women’s liberation movement.

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Patricia L. Rowlands was conducted by Karen Wickre at Rowlands’ home in Gresham, Oregon, on May 20, 1981. In this interview, Rowlands discusses her family background and early life in Portland, including attending high school with Connie McCready, her experience during the Depression, and her first marriage. She describes how she came to work on a clean-up crew at the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland, and shares her experiences as a woman worker in the shipyards. She talks about people she worked with, describes her job duties, and discusses the dangers of the job. She shares her experience with the Kaiser child care centers. She speaks about later working as an electrician trainee at the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. She describes her typical day as a shipyard worker, then talks about her life after the end of the war, including the end of her first marriage and working at Jantzen Mills. She speaks about her children, their families, and their careers. She shares her thoughts about the women’s liberation movement.

Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Patricia L. Rowlands was conducted by Karen Wickre at Rowlands’ home in Gresham, Oregon, on May 20, 1981. In this interview, Rowlands discusses her family background and early life in Portland, including attending high school with Connie McCready, her experience during the Depression, and her first marriage. She describes how she came to work on a clean-up crew at the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland, and shares her experiences as a woman worker in the shipyards. She talks about people she worked with, describes her job duties, and discusses the dangers of the job. She shares her experience with the Kaiser child care centers. She speaks about later working as an electrician trainee at the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. She describes her typical day as a shipyard worker, then talks about her life after the end of the war, including the end of her first marriage and working at Jantzen Mills. She speaks about her children, their families, and their careers. She shares her thoughts about the women’s liberation movement.

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Patricia C. Koehler was conducted by Sandra Cook at Koehler’s home in Portland, Oregon, on June 18, 1981. In this interview, Koehler describes how she came to work as an electrician in the Kaiser shipyards in Vancouver, Washington, during World War II and shares her experiences as a woman worker in the shipyards. She discusses the job duties of an electrician, describes a typical day in the shipyards, and talks about the protective gear she wore. She discusses her wages, the people she worked with, and the dangers of the job. She shares her experience working the graveyard shift, talks about her commute, and discusses her social life. She then talks about her college experiences at Reed College and Portland State University, and about her children, their families, and their careers.

Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Patricia C. Koehler was conducted by Sandra Cook at Koehler’s home in Portland, Oregon, on June 18, 1981. In this interview, Koehler describes how she came to work as an electrician in the Kaiser shipyards in Vancouver, Washington, during World War II and shares her experiences as a woman worker in the shipyards. She discusses the job duties of an electrician, describes a typical day in the shipyards, and talks about the protective gear she wore. She discusses her wages, the people she worked with, and the dangers of the job. She shares her experience working the graveyard shift, talks about her commute, and discusses her social life. She then talks about her college experiences at Reed College and Portland State University, and about her children, their families, and their careers.

Tape 2, Side 1. This oral history interview with Nona F. Pool was conducted by Amy Kesselman on May 25, 1981. In this interview, Pool discusses her early life in Nebraska and in Denver, Colorado, and describes her experiences during the Depression. She speaks about her experience as a welder for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. She talks about living in Vanport and about her child care arrangements. She describes her training, her job duties, and the dangers of the job. She discusses balancing work and family life. She speaks at length about jobs she held after the war, including returning to welding for Freightliner. She shares her opinion on the women’s movement and feminism. Incomplete transcript available (6 pages).

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Nona F. Pool was conducted by Amy Kesselman on May 25, 1981. In this interview, Pool discusses her early life in Nebraska and in Denver, Colorado, and describes her experiences during the Depression. She speaks about her experience as a welder for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. She talks about living in Vanport and about her child care arrangements. She describes her training, her job duties, and the dangers of the job. She discusses balancing work and family life. She speaks at length about jobs she held after the war, including returning to welding for Freightliner. She shares her opinion on the women’s movement and feminism. Incomplete transcript available (6 pages).

Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Nona F. Pool was conducted by Amy Kesselman on May 25, 1981. In this interview, Pool discusses her early life in Nebraska and in Denver, Colorado, and describes her experiences during the Depression. She speaks about her experience as a welder for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. She talks about living in Vanport and about her child care arrangements. She describes her training, her job duties, and the dangers of the job. She discusses balancing work and family life. She speaks at length about jobs she held after the war, including returning to welding for Freightliner. She shares her opinion on the women’s movement and feminism. Incomplete transcript available (6 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 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).