This collection houses transcripts of oral histories conducted with 29 Arizona women. Among the subjects covered are migration to Arizona, childhood recollections, family life, employment outside the home, religion, military service, marriage, childrearing, and politics. Also included is supplemental biographical information provided by interviewees.
Identification:
MSS-398
Language:
Material in English
Repository:
Arizona State University Library. Greater Arizona Collection P.O. Box 871006 Tempe, AZ 85287-1006 Phone: (480) 965-4932 E-Mail: archives@asu.edu Questions? Ask An Archivist!
Historical Note
The Arizona Women's Heritage Project was sponsored by Arizona State University's Women's Studies Program, funded by the Arizona Humanities Council, and directed by Mary A. Rothschild and Linda L. Salmon. Its interviewers, including Rosemary Diaz, Pamela Hronek, Maria Hernandez, Deborah Peska, and Linda Salmon, conducted interviews in 1981 with women born before 1906 who had lived most of their adult lives in Arizona in order to gather information regarding the role of women in the state's history, focusing on growing up in Arizona, marriage and family, community building, and work for pay. The interviewees are representative of typical citizens rather than prominent community leaders and come from the city of Phoenix, the rural areas of the Salt River Valley, and the mining towns of Globe and Miami.
Scope and Content Note
This collection houses transcripts of oral histories conducted with 29 Arizona women. Among the subjects covered are migration to Arizona, childhood recollections, family life, employment outside the home, religion, military service, marriage, childrearing, and politics. Also included is supplemental biographical information provided by interviewees.
To view this collection, make an appointment at least five business days prior to your visit by contacting Ask an Archivist or calling (480) 965-4932. Appointments in the Wurzburger Reading Room at Hayden Library (rm. 138) on the Tempe campus are available Monday through Friday. Check the ASU Library Hours page for current availability.
Copyright
Arizona State University does not own the copyright to this collection. We recognize that it is incumbent upon the researcher to procure permission to publish information from this collection from the owner of the copyright.
[Identification of item], Arizona Women's Heritage Project Oral Histories, MSS-398, Arizona State University Library.
Provenance
The Arizona Women's Heritage Project transferred these materials to the Arizona Collection in 1982.
Container List
Box
Folder
1
1
Bishop, Irene Redden,
1981 July 20
Interview with Irene Redden Bishop (native and early resident of Tempe, Arizona) describing life in Tempe, Arizona, and her experiences while attending Tempe Normal School, later Arizona State University.
Young Women's Christian Association (Glendale, Ariz.) -- History
Glendale Women's Club (Ariz.) -- History
Geographic Name(s)
Glendale (Ariz.) -- History
Glendale (Ariz.) -- Social conditions
Subject(s)
Funeral homes -- Arizona -- Glendale
Women -- Arizona -- Glendale -- Societies and clubs
Women -- Arizona -- Glendale -- Social conditions
Occupation(s)
Teachers -- Arizona -- Glendale -- Interviews
1
3
Bush, Anne Pace,
1981 July 27
Interview with Anne Pace Bush, native and early resident of Thatcher, Arizona, describing life in Thatcher and her experiences while attending the University of Arizona.
Interview with Loretto Coles describing life in early southern Arizona and her experiences as a businesswoman in Phoenix. Coles was an early resident of Bisbee.
Interview with Jane Drees discussing life in Phoenix, Arizona, her career as a social worker in Phoenix, and her experiences as a businesswoman in Globe.
Personal Name(s)
Drees, Jane Wilson, 1907-1989 (Interviewee)
Hronek, Pamela Claire, 1945- (Interviewer)
Geographic Name(s)
Phoenix (Ariz.) -- History
Globe (Ariz.) -- History
Phoenix (Ariz.) -- Social conditions
Subject(s)
Women -- Arizona -- Phoenix -- Societies and clubs
Women -- Arizona -- Phoenix -- Social conditions
Depressions -- 1929 -- United States
Occupation(s)
Businesswomen -- Arizona -- Globe
Women social workers -- Arizona -- Phoenix
1
7
Dunn, Elsie,
1981 August 12
Interview with Elsie Dunn discussing farm life in the Salt River Valley and her experiences as a working mother in Phoenix. Dunn was a resident of the rural Salt River Valley and later an employee at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix.
Salt River Valley (Gila County and Maricopa County, Ariz.) -- History
Salt River Valley (Gila County and Maricopa County, Ariz.) -- Rural conditions
Phoenix (Ariz.) -- Social conditions
Subject(s)
Farm life -- Arizona -- Salt River Valley
Women -- Arizona -- Societies and clubs
School management and organization -- Parent participation -- Arizona
Women -- Arizona -- Phoenix -- Social conditions
World War, 1939-1945 -- Women -- Arizona
Working mothers -- Arizona -- Phoenix
Hospitals -- Arizona -- Phoenix -- Employees
1
8
Estrada, Ruby,
1981 July 21
Interview with Ruby Estrada discussing her life growing up in Ray, Arizona, her school experiences at Arizona State Teachers College, and her married life. Estrada was an early resident of Sonora, Arizona and later lived in Phoenix.
Young Women's Christian Association (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Arizona State Teachers College -- Students
Geographic Name(s)
Women -- Arizona -- Phoenix -- Social conditions
Phoenix (Ariz.) -- History
Phoenix (Ariz.) -- Social conditions
Subject(s)
Women -- Arizona -- Phoenix -- Societies and clubs
Ranch life -- Arizona -- Phoenix
Occupation(s)
Women volunteers in social service -- Arizona -- Phoenix
1
10
Garten, Tillie,
1981 August 18
Interview with Tillie Garten discussing her experiences while living in early Nogales, Arizona, studying at the University of Arizona, and residing in Phoenix.
Personal Name(s)
Garten, Tillie C. (Tillie Claire Mendelowitz), 1909-2001 (Interviewee)
Hronek, Pamela Claire, 1945- (Interviewer)
Corporate Name(s)
University of Arizona -- Students
Geographic Name(s)
Nogales (Ariz.) -- History
Arizona -- Social conditions
Subject(s)
Women -- Travel
Women -- Arizona -- Social conditions
Single women -- Arizona
Occupation(s)
Teachers -- Arizona
1
11
Hernandez, Lupe N.,
1981 July 31
Interview with Lupe Hernandez describing her early life in Chihuahua, Mexico and as a working mother in Miami, Arizona.
Personal Name(s)
Hernandez, Lupe N. (Guadalupe Nuñez), 1897-1994 (Interviewee)
Hernandez, Marie (Interviewer)
Geographic Name(s)
Miami (Ariz.) -- History
Chihuahua (Chihuahua, Mexico) -- History
Subject(s)
Mexican American women -- Arizona -- Miami -- Social conditions
Women -- Employment -- Arizona -- Miami
Working mothers -- Arizona -- Miami
1
12
Hovde, Elizabeth,
1981 August 4
Interview with Elizabeth Hovde discussing her experiences while growing up in Morenci, Arizona, and later as a housewife and mother in Mesa, Arizona.
Personal Name(s)
Hovde, E. Mildred (Elizabeth Mildred Jessop), 1911-1992 (Interviewee)
Salmon, Linda L., 1947- (Interviewer)
Geographic Name(s)
Morenci (Ariz.) -- History
Mesa (Ariz.) -- History
United States -- Economic conditions -- 1918-1945
Arizona -- Economic conditions
Subject(s)
Farmers' spouses -- Arizona -- Mesa
Women -- Arizona -- Societies and clubs
Women -- Arizona -- Morenci -- Social conditions
Women -- Arizona -- Mesa -- Social conditions
Medical care -- Arizona
Women's health services -- Arizona
Depressions -- 1929 -- Arizona
1
13
Irving, Violet,
1981 August 11
Interview with Violet Irving discussing her experiences while growing up and living in Yavapai County, Arizona.
Personal Name(s)
Irving, Violet (Violet Mae Milliken Warren), 1901-1999 (Interviewee)
Hronek, Pamela Claire, 1945- (Interviewer)
Geographic Name(s)
Yavapai County (Ariz.) -- History
Prescott (Ariz.) -- History
Skull Valley (Ariz.) -- History
Arizona -- Rural conditions
Subject(s)
Working mothers -- Arizona
Women -- Arizona -- Social conditions
Rural electrification -- Arizona -- Skull Valley
1
14
Johnson, Fern,
1981 September 28
Interview with Fern Johnson describing her early experiences growing up in rural Phoenix, her life as a student at Tempe State Teachers College, and as a teacher and mother in Peoria, Arizona.
African Americans -- Arizona -- Mesa -- Social conditions
African American women -- Arizona -- Mesa -- Social conditions
School integration -- Arizona -- Mesa
Education, Elementary -- Arizona -- Mesa
Single women -- Arizona -- Mesa
Occupation(s)
African American teachers -- Arizona -- Mesa
Women teachers -- Arizona -- Mesa
1
16
Kimball, Clara C.,
1981 July 23
Interview with Clara Curtis Kimball describing her experiences in the San Pedro River Valley and later in Tucson, Arizona.
Personal Name(s)
Kimball, Clara (Clara Edna Curtis), 1890-1986 (Interviewee)
Hronek, Pamela Claire, 1945- (Interviewer)
Geographic Name(s)
San Pedro River Valley (Mexico and Ariz.) -- History
Saint David (Ariz.) -- History
San Pedro River Valley (Mexico and Ariz.) -- Rural conditions
Subject(s)
Farm life -- San Pedro River Valley (Mexico and Ariz.)
Mormon women -- San Pedro River Valley (Mexico and Ariz.)
Women -- San Pedro River Valley (Mexico and Ariz.) -- Social conditions
Medical care -- San Pedro River Valley (Mexico and Ariz.)
Women's health services -- San Pedro River Valley (Mexico and Ariz.)
1
17
King, Irene,
1981 July 29
Interview with Irene McClellan King describing her experiences growing up in Laveen, Arizona and her life as an African-American teacher in Phoenix, Arizona.
African American women -- Arizona -- Phoenix -- Social conditions
School integration -- Arizona -- Phoenix
Education, Primary -- Arizona -- Phoenix
Girls -- Arizona -- Phoenix -- Societies and clubs
Occupation(s)
African American teachers -- Arizona -- Phoenix
1
18
Lewis, Sallie Simms,
1981 October 23
Interview with Sallie Lewis discussing her experiences growing up in Parker, Arizona, on the Colorado River Indian Reservation, and later as a minister's wife in several communities around the state.
Colorado River Indian Reservation (Ariz. and Calif.)
Geographic Name(s)
Parker (Ariz.) -- History
Subject(s)
Mohave Indians
Mohave Indians -- Social conditions
Boarding schools -- Arizona
Indian reservations -- Arizona
Indians of North America -- Education -- Arizona
Spouses of clergy -- Arizona
Women -- Arizona -- Social conditions
Indian women -- Arizona -- Social conditions
Box
Folder
2
1
Mandell, Marjorie H.,
1981 July 28
Interview with Marjorie Mandell discussing her experiences growing up in New York, as the wife of a merchant in Florence, Arizona, and as a resident of Phoenix.
Personal Name(s)
Mandell, Marjorie H. (Marjorie Harris), 1901-1990 (Interviewee)
Diaz, Rosemary Truman (Interviewer)
Subject(s)
Jewish women -- New York (State) -- New York -- Social conditions
Women -- Arizona -- Social conditions
Jewish women -- Arizona -- Social conditions
Women -- Arizona -- Societies and clubs
2
2
McAlister, Elsie Gates,
1981 July 31
Interview with Elsie Marie Gates McAlister discussing her experiences growing up in Globe, Arizona, at Tempe State Teachers College, and later as a teacher and mother in Globe.
Personal Name(s)
McAlister, Elsie (Elsie Marie Gates), 1907-1999 (Interviewee)
Diaz, Rosemary Truman (Interviewer)
Corporate Name(s)
Tempe State Teachers College -- Students
Geographic Name(s)
Globe (Ariz.) -- History
Subject(s)
Women college students -- Arizona -- Tempe -- Social conditions
Education -- Arizona -- Globe
Medical care -- Arizona -- Globe
Women's health services -- Arizona -- Globe
Women -- Arizona -- Globe -- Social conditions
Occupation(s)
Women teachers -- Arizona -- Globe
2
3
McKinney, Nora,
1981 July 31
Interview with Nora Nevitt McKinney describing her experiences in various locations throughout eastern Arizona, including Graham County and Young, Arizona.
Interview with Brenda Weisberg Meckler discussing her experiences growing up in Phoenix, Arizona, as a scriptwriter in Hollywood (1937-1952), and as a political activist in Hollywood and Phoenix.
Personal Name(s)
Meckler, Brenda (Brenda Weisberg), 1899-1996 (Interviewee)
Diaz, Rosemary Truman (Interviewer)
Corporate Name(s)
Phoenix Little Theatre
Americans for Democratic Action
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities
Geographic Name(s)
Phoenix (Ariz.)
Subject(s)
Farm life -- Arizona -- Phoenix
Subversive activities -- United States
Women -- Arizona -- Social conditions
Jewish women -- Arizona -- Social conditions
Occupation(s)
Women authors -- United States
Screenwriters -- California -- Hollywood
2
5
Moeur, Mary C.,
1981 July 28
Interview with Mary Carter Moeur discussing her experiences as a Tempe resident.
Personal Name(s)
Moeur, Mary (Mary Christine Carter), 1902-1996 (Interviewee)
Diaz, Rosemary Truman (Interviewer)
Family Name(s)
Moeur family
Geographic Name(s)
Tempe (Ariz.) -- History
Tempe (Ariz.) -- Social conditions
Subject(s)
City and town life -- Arizona -- Tempe
Women -- Arizona -- Tempe -- Social conditions
Physicians' spouses -- Arizona -- Tempe
2
6
Montgomery, Winona,
1981 September 24
Interview with Winona Montgomery discussing her experiences as a child in Missouri and a teacher in Phoenix, Arizona.
Single women -- Arizona -- Phoenix -- Social conditions
Teachers' unions -- Arizona -- Phoenix
Volunteers -- Arizona -- Phoenix
Occupation(s)
Women teachers -- Arizona -- Phoenix
2
7
Peska, Deborah,
1981 October 28
Interview with a daughter of a pioneer family of the Phoenix area discussing life in early Safford, Arizona, and her later experiences as a housewife during World War II in California.
Personal Name(s)
Peska, Deborah, 1905- (Interviewee)
Geographic Name(s)
Safford (Ariz.) -- History
Subject(s)
Ranch life -- Arizona -- Safford
Women -- California -- Social conditions
Women -- Arizona -- Safford
Depressions -- 1929 -- United States
Girl Scouts -- California
2
8
Phelps, Edna,
1981 July 17
Interview with Edna W. Phelps discussing her experiences growing up on a homestead in north Phoenix and as a teacher in the Phoenix area.
Single women -- Arizona -- Phoenix -- Social conditions
Canals -- Arizona
Frontier and pioneer life -- Arizona -- Phoenix
Occupation(s)
Women teachers -- Arizona -- Phoenix
High school teachers -- Arizona -- Phoenix
2
9
West, Irma,
1981 August 11
Interview with Irma West discussing her experiences growing up in rural eastern Arizona and as a wife and mother in several locations throughout the state.
Personal Name(s)
West, Irma (Irma Hanson), 1896-1993 (Interviewee)
Salmon, Linda L., 1947- (Interviewer)
Geographic Name(s)
Arizona -- Social conditions
Arizona -- Rural conditions
Maricopa County (Ariz.) -- Rural conditions
Subject(s)
Mormon women -- Arizona -- Social conditions
Wives -- Arizona
Frontier and pioneer life -- Arizona
2
10
Wills, Mae,
1981 July 31
Interview with Mae Wills discussing her experiences growing up in Arizona and as a wife and mother in Globe and several other Arizona towns.
Personal Name(s)
Wills, Mae (Mary Elizabeth Smith), 1909-2003 (Interviewee)
Salmon, Linda L., 1947- (Interviewer)
Geographic Name(s)
Arizona -- Social conditions
Arizona -- Rural conditions
Globe (Ariz.) -- History
Subject(s)
Women -- Arizona -- Social conditions
Wives -- Arizona
2
11
Zieser, Exie,
1981 August 3
Interview with Exie Zieser discussing her experiences growing up in Oklahoma and Phoenix and as a working wife and mother in the Phoenix area.
Personal Name(s)
Zieser, Exie (Exie Dee Ridgway), 1901-2000 (Interviewee)
Salmon, Linda L., 1947- (Interviewer)
Geographic Name(s)
Phoenix (Ariz.) -- Social conditions
Phoenix (Ariz.) -- History
Maricopa County (Ariz.) -- Rural conditions
Oklahoma -- Rural conditions
Subject(s)
Women -- Arizona -- Phoenix -- Social conditions
Single women -- Arizona -- Phoenix -- Social conditions