Collections
MF 040 “Maine Women During the
Depression and World War II” Project
Number of
Interviews: 65
Dates when interviews were conducted: 1982
Time period covered: 1929-1946
Principal interviewers: Rita Breton, Suzanne Winkelman,
Steven Sullivan, Debbie Brooks, Nan Lincoln, Anne-Marie Martin,
Patrick Dunn, Lizabeth MacDonald, Eric Allen, Margaret Lanoue, Kathy
Morris, and Elizabeth Dougherty
Finding Aides: brief indexes
Access Restrictions: none
Description: This collection began with the research done by
Rita Breton as part of her graduate work in history at the
University of Maine. Breton conducted approximately twenty
interviews with Maine women about their lives and work during the
Great Depression and WWII. In addition, in the fall of 1982,
students in Edward D. Ives’ class AY 125 were asked to locate and
interview people on the topic of womens’ lives during the Depression
and World War II. Collection also contains numerous photographs.
Some of the interviews relate to Winkelman’s M. A. Thesis “Work is
What Keeps You Going: The Life and Times of Bertha Moore Lord: An
Experiment in Biography,” University of Maine, 1986.
1493 Breton, Rita. Spring 1981. Maine: Orono. 44 pp. Tape: 2
hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Evelyn Plummer Miller and
Hortense Bradbury Monaghan about life of rural Maine women
during the Great Depression; their work as home demonstration agents
for the Maine Cooperative Extension Service in the 1930’s. Maine
Women During the Depression and World War II Project. T1597
1511 Breton, Rita. Spring 1981. Maine: Augusta. 36 pp. Tape:
2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Alice Hunnewell about life
during the Depression and W. W. II; teaching experiences, 1928 to
1954; Cooperative Extension work, 1954 to 1967; news clipping. Maine
Women During the Depression and World War II Project. T1614
1512 Breton, Rita. Spring 1981. Maine: Hallowell. 25 pp.
Tape: 2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Doris Ladd about life
during the Depression in Brownville Junction & Milo, Maine; W. W. II
years in Bath, Maine; Cooperative Extension work, 1950’s and 60’s.
Maine Women During the Depression and World War II Project. T1615
1513 Breton, Rita. Spring 1981. Maine: Gorham. 43 pp. Tape: 2
hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Edna Dickey about college and
teaching experiences during the Depression; her work as a farmerette
in Maine’s Women’s Land Army during W. W. II. Maine Women During the
Depression and World War II Project. T1616
1514 Breton, Rita. Spring 1981. Maine: Westbrook. 54 pp.
Tape: 2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Charlotte Lovejoy about
college and teaching experiences during the Depression; life as a
young wife and mother during W. W. II; copy of 1930s bank book;
ration coupons. Maine Women During the Depression and World War II
Project. T1617
1516 Breton, Rita. Summer 1981. Maine: Brunswick. 24 pp.
Tape: 1 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Jessie Oak about her work
as an Extension Service agent in Maine, 1929 to 1940; the effect of
the Depression on farm families. Maine Women During the Depression
and World War II Project. T1618
1532 Breton, Rita. Fall 1981. Maine: Orrs Island. 35 pp.
Tape: 1 1/2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Ethel Linscott about
growing up during the Depression; her work at the Saco-Lowell
Foundry and Bath Iron Works during World War II; photos, P5245 -
P5247, P5251 - P5252. Maine Women During the Depression and
World War II Project. T1628
1535 Breton, Rita. Fall 1981. Maine: Mapleton. 31 pp. Tape: 2
hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Avis "Ma" Dudley, 85, about
growing up on Aroostook County farm; effect of the Depression and W.
W. II; her volunteer work with Extension Service and Red Cross in
1930’s and 40’s; cookbook; photos, P5248—P5250. Maine Women During
the Depression and World War II Project. T1630
1566 Breton, Rita. Winter 1982. Maine: Dover-Foxcroft. 41 pp.
Tape: 2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Dorothy Blanchard about
attending the Univ. of Maine during the Depression; her Extension
Service work with rural farm women and 4-H youngsters, 1940-45;
photos, P5297 - P5310. Maine Women During the Depression and
World War II Project. T1668
1567 Breton, Rita. Winter 1982. Maine: Dover—Foxcroft. 42 pp.
Tape: 2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Lucy Shieve about her
Extension Service work with rural farm families in Piscataquis and
Aroostook Counties, 1927-36; effects of W.W. II; photos, P5282 -
P5286. Maine Women During the Depression and World War II
Project. T1669
1568 Breton, Rita. Winter 1982. Maine: Orono. 47 pp. Tape: 2
hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Hortense Monaghan and Evelyn &
Stacy Miller about their work as Extension Service agents in
Maine during the Depression; how Depression and W.W. II affected
their personal lives. Maine Women During the Depression and World
War II Project. T1670
1569 Breton, Rita. Winter 1982. Maine: Veazie. 20 pp.
Unrecorded interview with Mabel Lovejoy about her childhood
and education; college years at Univ. of Maine: 1920’s; making do
during the Depression and W. W. II; photos, P5275 - P5281.
Maine Women During the Depression and World War II Project.
1570 Breton, Rita. Winter 1982. Maine: Orono. 24 pp. Tape: 1
hr. w/ cat. Interview with Lu Oliver about effects of
Depression; her volunteer work for the Grey Ladies during W. W. II
at Dow Field Hospital, Bangor, Maine. Photos, P5271 - P5275,
P5311. Maine Women During the Depression and World War II
Project. T1671
1571 Breton, Rita. Winter 1982. Maine: Old Town. 30 pp. Tape:
1 1/2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Jackie McCarthy about
growing up in Old Town during the Depression; her work as a welder
at South Portland Shipyard during W. W. II. Maine Women During the
Depression and World War II Project. T1672
1572 Breton, Rita. Winter 1982. Maine: North Gorham. 44 pp.
Tape: 2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Agnes Gibbs about work as
Extension Service agent in Cumberland County, 1927-1942, and for
Women’s Division of Maine Civil Defense Corp., 1942-45; photo,
P5312. Maine Women During the Depression and World War II Project.
T1673
1573 Breton, Rita. Winter 1982. Maine: Bangor. 25 pp. Tape: 1
hr. w/ cat. Interview with Alice Keefe about work on WPA
records and sewing projects, and school hot lunch programs during
the Depression; effects of W. W. II; experiences running a
bar/restaurant business in Bangor for 35 years. Maine Women During
the Depression and World War II Project. T1674
1574 Breton, Rita. Winter 1982. Maine: East Eddington. 38 pp.
Tape: 1 1/2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Charlotte Davis about
life during the Depression and W. W. II as mother of seven children
and worker in fish factories and blueberry fields in Jonesport,
Maine; P5313. Maine Women During the Depression and World War II
Project. T1675
1576 Breton, Rita. Winter 1982. Maine: Kenduskeag. 51 pp.
Tape: 2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Dr. Carlene Hillman about
growing up on farm during the Depression; college and teaching
experiences; her work as director of canning center and hot lunch
program during W.W. II; piece of grain bag material, Artifact A-43;
10 photos, P5287 - P5296. Maine Women During the Depression
and World War II Project. T1678
1586 Winkelman, Suzanne. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine:
Bucksport. 50 pp. Tape: 2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Olive Fish
about growing up and raising a family during the Depression and W.
W. II. Maine Women During the Depression and World War II Project.
T1679 - T1680
1587 Winkelman, Suzanne. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine:
Ellsworth. 41 pp. Tape: 1 1/2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Marion
Brooks about her early life; work for WPA projects during the
Depression and afterwards; copy of news clipping; photos, P5338 -
P5339. Maine Women During the Depression and World War II
Project. T1681
1592 Breton, Rita. Fall 1982. Maine: Bangor. 62 pp. Tape: 1
1/2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Evelyn Rand about hardships
of the Depression; her work as an auto mechanic during W. W. II;
photos, P5262 - P5270. Maine Women During the Depression and
World War II Project. T1685
1593 Winkelman, Suzanne. (AY 125 & LS project) Fall 1982
—Winter 1983. 685 pp. 21 1/2 hrs. w/ cats. Series of interviews with
Bertha and Daryl Lord about their lives, including fishing
and working experiences in the Bucksport area since 1940;
information about the Depression-W. W. II period. Relates to
Winkelman’s M. A. Thesis "Work is What Keeps You Going: The Life and
Times of Bertha Moore Lord: An Experiment in Biography," University
of Maine, 1986 [copy in MFC Library]. P5315 - P5326, P5340 -
P5341, P5404 - P5443, P5626 - P5651. T1686, T1689 - T1690, T1744 -
T1745, T1762 - T1764, T1774 - T1775, T1794, T1825, T1840 - T1841,
T1841a [excerpts]
1594 Winkelman, Suzanne. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Orland.
22 pp. Tape: 1 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Ida Wood about life
and work experiences during the Depression and W. W. II in Old Town
and Bucksport areas. Maine Women During the Depression and World War
II Project. T1687
1595 Sullivan, Steven. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: St. George.
58 pp. Tape: 1 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Ruth Hazelton about
growing up in Freeport, Maine and attending Simmons College in
Boston during the Depression; her work as a librarian during the
late ‘30’s and ‘40’s. Maine Women During the Depression and World
War II Project. T1688
1596 Brooks, Debbie. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Bangor. 23
pp. Tape: 1 1/2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Hazel Blaisdell
about her life and experiences during the Depression. Maine Women
During the Depression and World War II Project. T1691
1597 Brooks, Debbie. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Bangor. 59
pp. Tape: 3 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Alice Hickson about
her life and experiences during the Depression and W. W. II. Maine
Women During the Depression and World War II Project. T1692 -
T1693
1598 Sullivan, Steven. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Owls Head.
131 pp. Tape: 6 hrs. w/ cats. Series of interviews with Lucy
Stewart about life and experiences during the Depression and W.
W. II. Maine Women During the Depression and World War II Project.
T1694 - T1695, T1708 - T1709
1599 Lincoln, Nan. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Southwest
Harbor. 17 pp. Tape: 1/2 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Martha
Phillips about work with coal miner’s children in Kentucky
during the Depression; experiences as a bomber pilot for the WAFC
during W. W. II; copies of news clippings and magazine photos. Maine
Women During the Depression and World War II Project. T1698
1600 Lincoln, Nan. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Pretty Marsh.
19 pp. Tape: 1/2 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Mazie Small about
teaching experiences in rural Maine and her recollections of life in
Maine during the Depression and W. W. II. Maine Women During the
Depression and World War II Project. T1699
1601 Martin, Anne-Marie. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Lewiston.
32 pp. Tape: 1 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Simone Michaud
about her memories of the Depression and W.W. II. Maine Women During
the Depression and World War II Project. T1700
1602 Martin, Anne-Marie. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Van
Buren. 38 pp. Tape: 1 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Martine
Pelletier about her memories of the Depression and W. W. II.
Maine Women During the Depression and World War II Project. T1701
1603 Martin, Anne-Marie. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Lewiston.
34 pp. Tape: 1 1/2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Marguerite Michaud
about her memories of the Depression and her song writing. Maine
Women During the Depression and World War II Project. T1702,
T1739
1604 Martin, Anne-Marie. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Auburn.
22 pp. Tape: 1 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Cecil Lebel about
her memories of the Depression. Maine Women During the Depression
and World War II Project. T1703
1605 Dunn, Patrick. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: West Gardiner.
39 pp. Tape: 1 1/2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Elnor Goodwin
about her life during the Depression and W. W. II. Maine Women
During the Depression and World War II Project. T1704
1606 Dunn, Patrick. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Bangor, 10 pp.
Tape: 1/2 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Dorothy Probert about
her memories of the Depression and her experiences as a military
officer’s wife during W. W. II. Maine Women During the Depression
and World War II Project. T1705 [cassette original = C1781]
1607 Dunn, Patrick. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Gardiner. 25
pp. Tape: 1 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Lois Bridges about
life during the Depression and W. W. II; college life (Colby
College) and teaching experiences in the 1940’s. Maine Women During
the Depression and World War II Project. T1706 [cassette
original = C1782]
1608 Dunn, Patrick. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Gardiner. 32
pp. Tape: 1 1/2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Iola Cobb about
her memories of the Depression; WPA projects; W. W. II. Maine Women
During the Depression and World War II Project. T1707, T1746
[cassette original = C1783]
1609 MacDonald, Lizabeth. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Bangor.
33 pp. Tape: 2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Regina Toole about
the Depression and W. W. II. Maine Women During the Depression and
World War II Project. T1710
1610 MacDonald, Lizabeth. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Bangor.
46 pp. Tape: 2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Geraldine Toole
about life during the Depression and her work as a welder at the
Bath shipyard during W. W. II. Maine Women During the Depression and
World War II Project. T1711
1611 MacDonald, Lizabeth. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Bangor.
46 pp. Tape: 3 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Ruth McGinley
about life during the Depression and W. W. I; college life (Univ. of
Maine) and work experiences in the 1930’s and 40’s. Maine Women
During the Depression and World War II Project. T1712 - T1713
1612 Lincoln, Nan. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Pretty Marsh.
13 pp. Tape: 1/2 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Josephine Doe
about her memories of the Depression and W. W. II; her experiences
as a college student (Castine Normal School), teacher, and
professional reader. Maine Women During the Depression and World War
II Project. T1714
1613 Lincoln, Nan. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Pretty Marsh.
15 pp. Tape: 1/2 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Betty and Reg
Flanders about their memories of the Depression and W. W. II.
Maine Women During the Depression and World War II Project. T1715
1614 Lincoln, Nan. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Bar Harbor. 13
pp. Tape: 1/2 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Irene Marinke about
her recollections of Bar Harbor during the Depression and W. W. II;
photo, P5358. Maine Women During the Depression and World War II
Project. T1716
1615 Allen, Eric. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Bangor. 9 pp.
Tape: 1/2 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Martha Kelley about life
in Bar Mills area during the Depression. Maine Women During the
Depression and World War II Project. T1717
1616 Allen, Eric. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Millinocket. 20
pp. Tape: 1 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Marie Wheaton about
life in Medway during the Depression and her move to Portland during
W. W. II; college experience (Aroostook Normal School) and teaching
in rural Maine in 1930’s. Maine Women During the Depression and
World War II Project. T1718
1617 Allen, Eric. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Old Town. 26 pp.
Tape: 1 1/2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Margaret Albert and
Gertrude Grant about growing up in Old Town during the
Depression and the effects of W. W. II. Maine Women During the
Depression and World War II Project. T1719
1618 Allen, Eric. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Old Town. 12 pp.
Tape: 1/2 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Gertrude Grant about
hard times during the Depression; photos, P5368 — P5372. Maine Women
During the Depression and World War II Project. T1720
1619 Allen, Eric. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Bar Mills. 25
pp. Tape: 1 1/2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Olive Hannaford
about life in Bar Mills during the Depression and W. W. II. Maine
Women During the Depression and World War II Project. T1721
1620 Allen, Eric. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: South Portland.
32 pp. Tape: 1 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Catherine Allen
about her childhood, education, marriage, hard times during the
Depression. Maine Women During the Depression and World War II
Project. T1722 - T1723
1621 Brooks, Debbie. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Princeton. 32
pp. Tape: 1 1/2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Mary Gabriel
about growing up on the Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation, Princeton;
her experiences during the Depression and W. W. II; Indian burial
hymn sung by Lillian Gabriel; photos, P5353 — P5357. Maine Women
During the Depression and World War II Project. T1724 - T1725
1622 Lanoue, Margaret. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Phippsburg.
48 pp. Tape: 2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Dorris A. Isaacson
about her early life and education; work as a journalist in Lewiston
and Portland, and as director of Maine’s WPA Writer’s Project during
the Depression; copies of resume, letters, book photo & commentary.
Maine Women During the Depression and World War II Project. T1726
- T1727
1623 Lanoue, Margaret. (AY 125) Fail 1982. Maine: Lewiston.
39 pp. Tape: 2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Juliette Filteau
about growing up in Quebec; working in the food business during the
Depression and W. W. II in Lewiston; poster from "Our Life, Our
Work" exibition. Maine Women During the Depression and World War II
Project. T1728
1624 Lanoue, Margaret. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Lewiston.
34 pp. Tape: 1 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Charlotte Michaud
about teaching dancing and working for French and English newspapers
from 1900 to 1930’s. Maine Women During the Depression and World War
II Project. T1729
1625 Lanoue, Margaret. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Lewiston.
25 pp. Tape: 1 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Genoria Pelchat
about growing up in Canada and her life in Lewiston working in the
shoe factories, 1920 to 1940; copy of Pelchat’s memoires written for
"Our Life, Our Work" project conducted by the Lewiston Western Older
Citizens Council (see NA 1675). Maine Women During the Depression
and World War II Project. T1730
1626 Lanoue, Margaret. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Lewiston.
52 pp. Tape: 2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Cecile Boisvert
about growing up in Lewiston; working in textile mills; remembrances
of Depression and W. W. II; experiences as state legislative
representative. Maine Women During the Depression and World War II
Project. T1731
1627 Morris, Kathy. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: East
Millinocket. 5 pp. Summary of unrecorded interview with Ruth and
Virginia Morin about their work in SPAR, the women’s branch of
the Coast Guard, during W. W. II. Maine Women During the Depression
and World War II Project.
1628 Morris, Kathy. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Orono. 10 pp.
Tape: 1/2 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Alice LaChance about her
memories of W. W. II and its effect on the Bangor area. Maine Women
During the Depression and World War II Project. T1732
1629 Morris Kathy. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: East
Millinocket. 15 pp. Tape: 1 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Jeannette
Gardner about her experiences as the wife of a bombardier pilot
during W. W. II; effects of war on everyday life. Maine Women During
the Depression and World War II Project. T1733
1630 Morris, Kathy. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: East
Millinocket. 12 pp. Tape: 1/2 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Luella
Michaud about her memories of W. W. II, especially food stamps,
Civil Defense work, its effect on the E. Millinocket and Portland
areas. Maine Women During the Depression and World War II Project.
T1734
1631 Morris, Kathy. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: East
Millinocket. 8 pp. Tape: 1/2 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Kathleen
Albert about her childhood memories of W. W. II. Maine Women
During the Depression and World War II Project. T1735
1632 Morris, Kathy. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: East
Millinocket. 7 pp. Tape: 1 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Agnes "Tot"
Doe about her experience as one of first women workers at Great
Northern Paper Co. during W. W. II. Maine Women During the
Depression and World War II Project. T1736
1633 Morris, Kathy. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: East
Millinocket. 23 pp. Tape: 2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Ruby
Stratton about her work in the WPA Sewing project during the
Depression and her memories of W. W. II; copies of ration stamp
books; photo, P5375. Maine Women During the Depression and World War
II Project. T1737
1634 Breton, Rita. Spring 1982. Maine: Dixmont. 43 pp. Tape:
1 hr. w/ cat. Interview with Clarice Mitchell about life in
the Depression years and work as as Civil Defense leader during W.
W. II; photo, P5314. Maine Women During the Depression and World War
II Project. T1738
1640 Dougherty, Elizabeth. (AY 125) Fall 1982. Maine: Orono.
59 pp. Tape: 2 1/2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Mildred "Brownie"
Schrumpf about attending Univ. of Maine: 1921-1925; working as
State 4-H Club leader for Cooperative Extension Service, 1926-1931;
effects of the Depression and W. W. II; copies of ration stamps.
Maine Women During the Depression and World War II Project. T1758
- T1759
1641 Dougherty, Elizabeth. (AY 125( Fall 1982. Maine: Bar
Harbor. 54 pp. Tape: 2 hrs. w/ cat. Interview with Jeannette
Cleaves about life during the Depression; her travel to army
training camps with her husband during W. W. II; copy of Mrs.
Cleaves 1940’s travel journal; photos, P5359 - P5367. Maine
Women During the Depression and World War II Project. T1760 -
T1761
Back to Collections
