Showing 42 results

RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1985-08-16 SUMMARY: Came to Canada from West Germany in 1958, her husband came in 1956; he got a job right away in the Kootenays; she stayed and worked in an office to earn money for the fare to move to Victoria; left daughter behind in a French boarding school for one year; spoke little English, neighbours, TV and radio helped; took her a year to become fluent; talks about upbringing and laziness; baked and learned how to make ethnic foods; now cooks "international"; neighbours helped her to cook and can; missed family, felt cut-off; difference in childrearing here and in Germany; language difficulties; people very friendly in the Kootenays and Victoria; English classes; meeting friends; Germans; help; immigrants are practical people; had no trade, could only clean houses at first; difficulties Canadians face hiring immigrants; accept new country's customs; didn't consider moving back; visit was a cultural shock; part of two cultures; speaks German at home; how it was for her daughter when she came in 1959; similarity of French, German and English languages; discrimination toward daughter at school; German club and school; passing on customs to daughter; learning how to drive a car; husband has control over money and shopping; learned things by herself when he went to Nelson; insisted on a car for independence; Europe them and now; changes in relationship between husband and wife; no money to have a baby; saved money; first husband supportive; ICA, German Club, Multicultural Association; activities she takes part in; courtesy to Canadians; learning to assimilate; differences between boys and girls; good citizenship; expectations on new Canadians; passing on traditions; advice to newcomers; BC government encourages immigrants to share.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Anna Arthur : lower mainland BCGEA RECORDED: Coquitlam (B.C.), 1979-07-25 SUMMARY: Mrs. Arthur was born in Victoria BC; she graduated as a teacher during the Depression, but was unable to find work (early 1930s); she married and returned to the workforce in 1943. She began to work at the Boys' Industrial School as a special education teacher; the staff began to organise into the BC Government Employees Association, in order to have a say in teaching policy, wages and hours or work. They linked up with workers at nearby Essondale. Part of the demands made by women were for equal pay for equal work; this issue really involved Mrs. Arthur. The BCGEA workers faced many setbacks, including the hostility of employers and a refusal by the government to institute a check-off system. Anna Arthur was involved in organising the union, and was elected to the provincial executive in the later 1940s, representing the Essondale branch (1947-1949). Many of the issues concerned working conditions -- for example, the lack of decent housing for student nurses. Later, while working for the federal government, she became the local president of PSAC, organising for equal pensions for women and equal insurance benefits in the local.

In 1983 and 1984, the History Division of the National Museum of Man sponsored "Behind the Kitchen Door", an oral history project documenting the day-to-day experiences of British Columbia women in their households during the years 1900-1930. The project was administered through the Modern History Division of the British Columbia Provincial Museum.

The collection consists of 64 Interviews on 71 audio reels with Victoria and Vancouver area women. The focus is the otherwise undocumented day-to-day activities of maintaining and running a home in B.C. The interviews were conducted by Kathryn Thomson, Lynn Bueckert, Kathy Chopik and Catherine Hagen.

RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1985-08-16 SUMMARY: Came from Tokyo, Japan in 1969; to Vancouver; husband wanted to live here; they knew no one here; moved to Victoria to get another job; biggest problem was not knowing English; was working in the Japanese community; not as active here as in Japan, partly because of the language; speaks of educational differences between Canadians and Japanese; value of two cultures to children; daughter speaks of being western; day care in Japan; more jobs needed here; Japanese Cultural Association, what they do; Tokyo is very crowded, although there are more jobs there; likes Victoria very much.

RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1985-08-19 SUMMARY: Talks about her escape from Vietnam on a boat in 1980; talks about camp in Malaysia and being allowed to come to Canada; arrival in Montreal, then Victoria; help from different Canadian people; what life was like in Vietnam before they left; getting a job when she first came; learning English; children speak English; she has two jobs, her husband can't find work; learning to get around in Victoria;, shop, pay bills, etc. Intercultural Association, Catholic-Vietnamese church; festivals; raising children; taking the best from two cultures; some differences in raising child in Vietnam and Canada; learning English is the most important thing, then getting a job; working is very important and makes her happy; doesn't want money from the government.

The collection consists of oral history interviews with Chinese women about their experiences working in British Columbia from the 1920s to the 1950s. The interviews, with nine first-, second- or third-generation Chinese-Canadian women, were recorded in Vancouver, Victoria and New Westminster during the first half of 1984. The project focused on "women's work" (whether paid or unpaid), including work in the home and in family businesses. The interviews discuss the kind of work these women did; what they experienced; how they perceived their roles in the family and the Chinese community; and the legislative policies which affected their work and their lives. The interviewees are to remain anonymous, and should be referred to only by the assigned pseudonyms. In addition, two of the interviews are closed to public access.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Daisy Brown : on staff for the HREU, 1945-1949 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1979-07-13 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Daisy Brown was born in Saskatoon and came to BC in 1944. She found a part-time job with the Hotel and Restaurant Employees Union in 1945 as an office worker, and then as business agent. In 1946-47, a joint campaign led by both the hotel union and building service union organised Vancouver hotels. Many women worked in the industry because they needed an income as single parents or deserted wives. The union in the restaurant and hotel area was weak relative to industrial unions or skilled craft unions, where workers were not isolated from each other and could stand together. Problems in organising included the transient nature of the work, and the continuous shifts. TRACK 2: Issues which came up included overtime, shift changes, uniforms and seniority. The union set a precedent in establishing a forty-hour week. The Only Fish And Chips and Love's Cafe were particularly militant restaurants. The hotel drive organised all but the Alcazar and Grosvenor hotels. The campaign included leafleting the hotels. The HREU staff was organised into the OTEU but later were shifted to the HREU. Mrs. Brown was active for a time in the OTEU. In 1948, the HREU leadership was deposed and were barred from office and membership in the union because of their left leanings. Mrs. Brown has held both staff and elected positions with the union.

RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1985-08-21 SUMMARY: Came from China [big city near Hong Kong] in December 1980; was an accountant in China; why she came - her children were here; difficulty in coming to Canada; what she knew about Canada; differences here; language barrier; how she felt on coming here; family problems; language problems; job problems; dependency; had a job, but her son wanted her to quit; sons supporting parent; older women working; different living conditions here and in China; economic conditions, jobs, etc. in China; how she spends her time here; English lessons, learning English; she is active, independent; feeling of inferiority about language difference; Chinese/Canadian culture; wants more programs to integrate better; harder for older people.

CALL NUMBER: T1704:0117 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Dave Barrett: On the Alcan pipeline and the end of the legislative session RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-08-09 & 1977-09-27 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: NDP leader Dave Barrett says that BC should insist on three conditions being met before approving the Alcan pipeline route: (1) ninety percent of the workers involved should be from BC, and ninety percent of secondary goods and services should be purchased through small business in the province; (2) seven percent of the total capital cost should be set aside in a permanent economic development fund; and (3) there should be a written agreement that the first use of any Canadian arctic gas flowing through the pipeline should be for British Columbians and/or Canadians. 9 August 1977. TRACK 2: NDP leader Dave Barrett comments on the 1977 legislative session. He disagrees with Premier Bennett, who said that the session was very productive. Barrett says very little was accomplished, considering the amount of time spent. Specific legislation is mentioned and commented upon. 27 September 1977. CALL NUMBER: T1704:0118 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Dave Barrett : Submission to the BCR Royal Commission ; Reaction to interim report RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-12-05 & 1978-04-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: NDP leader Dave Barrett comments on his submission to the Royal Commission inquiring into the BC Railway. Barrett challenges the Commission to subpoena him, former Premier W.A.C. Bennett, current Premier W.R. Bennett, and other political figures. 5 December 1977. TRACK 2: Barrett responds to the release of the interim report of the Royal Commission on the BC Railway. Barrett criticizes the government for "sitting on the report" for 90 days; he also criticizes the report, saying that the recommendation to close the Fort Nelson extension is "terrible" and would, if followed through, be; "totally damaging" to "the rational development of the northeast sector" of the province. Barrett says that the Minister of Economic Development should either give a statement that the extension will; be kept open, or he and the government should resign. 12 April 1978. CALL NUMBER: T1704:0119 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Dave Barrett : On state of the province; Barrett, Wallace and Stephens on 1978 Oak Bay by-election RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978-01 & 03 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: The track begins with an interview with Kathleen Ruff, Director of Human Rights, who discusses discrimination against women in hiring practices in BC, and recommends that municipal governments undertake an affirmative action program. The majority of the track is given over to Dave Barrett, who reacts to the Premier's "state of the province" speech. Barrett's comments are wide-ranging, but deal most extensively with the state of the provincial economy and unemployment. 25 January 1978. TRACK 2: The track begins with a [poorly recorded] interview with former Conservative leader Dr. Scott Wallace, after the polls had closed in the Oak Bay by-election. Wallace believes the early returns clearly show that his successor, Vic Stephens, will win the by-election. Vic Stephens is then interviewed regarding his plans as MLA and as Conservative leader. Stephens then talks to the crowd at his victory party. The next interview is with NDP leader Dave Barrett the following morning. Barrett says that the big loser in the election was Social Credit. He then speculates on the future of BC politics, and compliments Liberal leader Gordon Gibson, saying that he would like to see Gibson stay in provincial politics. March 20 and 21, 1978.

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Dora Kloss in 1974.
T0539:0001 track 1: Dora Kloss describes Vancouver Island logging camp life and conditions, 1934-1974. She discusses: Nahmint Bay logging camp, ca. 1934; strike at Nahmint Bay, 1934; union activity of loggers, and the company's reaction, 1930s; life in the Salmon River logging camp; unemployed loggers, 1930s; logger transience and its effect on family life; the problem of schooling.
T0539:0001 track 2: Mrs. Kloss discusses B.C. coastal transportation and travel (Union Steamships), 1930s and 1940s; medical problems and illness in isolated logging camps, 1934-1945; loggers' vacations and recreation; moving to Englewood, 1946-1947; housing facilities in Englewood, 1947. Englewood camp life (continued): installation of electrical power, 1948; ordering groceries and mail order shopping, 1940s; steamship arrivals and freight rates; health care in Alert Bay, 1946. Social life for women: the Women's Institute.

T0539:0002 track 1: Mrs. Kloss discusses women's lives in logging camps, 1940s; homemaking and gardening in Sayward and Englewood, 1939-1948; move to Nimpkish, 1957; activities of the Women's Institute at Nimpkish, 1940s. Life in the Englewood area, 1946-1974.

The item is a promotional film on colour print, made in the mid 1950s. It shows the planning, design, construction and features of a BCE "Ease-of-Living" modern home, equipped with up-to-date electrical appliances. Footage of special interest includes a view from a car crossing Lion's Gate Bridge and views of the British Properties.

RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1985-08-21 SUMMARY: Came from Taiwan to Vancouver in 1983; came to Canada because her children are here; what surprises she found here; working; marriage; differences here and in Taiwan; living conditions Taiwan, better here; husband was a teacher, but is now retired; she is happy here; easy to immigrate here; what she does here; languages problems; diet changes; wants to learn about Canadian culture; Chinese and English speaking agencies working together, using body language, games and activities; citizenship; women and work in Taiwan; day care; childrearing in Canada and Taiwan; shopping; swimming; encouraging senior Chinese to get out and about; misconception of Chinese isolation; desire to integrate.

RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1985-08-21 SUMMARY: Came from the Western Ukraine in the Soviet Union in 1979 with her husband; difficulties in coming, language problems; graduated and taught French there; husband got language classes; she took ESL; getting permission to immigrate; finding work here; living conditions here and in Russia; people; easier for her daughter; apartments and medical care in Russia; getting clothes and furniture from the government; family left in Russia; spare time; working here; freedom here; Russian communities here; initial politeness from Canadian; two cultures; speaking Russian at home; adjustment from women immigrants; women having a double load, housework and job; keeping old values; childrearing here and Russia; school system there; going to university in Russia; childrearing there; small ethnic communities; some examples of her Russian clients' problems for professional women coming here; freedom of life here; counseling and work as Mosaic; advice to new immigrants; finding jobs here; support from immigration; getting experience; giving up her profession; women from different cultures have different problems; Mosaic very important help.

RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1985-08-21 SUMMARY: Came from Argentina in 1969; was working for an airline selling tickets; took French and Italian; husband's brother coming here from Italy, so they came too; lived with them; had three children and was pregnant when she came; return to Argentina in 1970, decided to return here as there was no work there either; speaking English; loneliness, missing home; making friends here; talks about neighbours; here and there; learning to speak English; working at White Spot; shopping without much English; husband picked up English faster, he was outside the home more; staying at home most of the time; Spanish-speaking community; Mosaic, joining and working; differences between here and Buenos Aires; started going out after about five years here; talks about children and childrearing; speaks Spanish at home; expectations on women; family life; learning language before coming; importance of orienting new immigrants; relating with English-speaking people.

CALL NUMBER: T3593:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Gladys Hilland : IWA officer, Local 1-217 - World War II RECORDED: Surrey (B.C.), 1979-07-17 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mrs. Hilland grew up in Saskatchewan where she participated with her brother in the Farmers Unity League, an organisation of farmers allied with the Workers Unity League, which fought farm foreclosures. She married and moved to BC with her husband to look for work, becoming a waitress and a domestic. She took a job with a BC Forest Products sawmill as soon as women were hired, and worked at Sitka, piling lumber and as a sawyer. She was active in unionising the plant, arguing for the workers to leave the company union and join the IWA. She was elected secretary-treasurer of Local 1-217 of the IWA and served in that capacity until the split in 1948. She was one of the most prominent women in the labour movement in that position. As secretary-treasurer, she continued to organize for the union, speaking to IWA workers and helping them organize in their plants. TRACK 2: She was involved in the 1946 march to Victoria during the strike, and participated in numerous labour lobbies to Victoria. The post-war period and the Cold War led to hostility to the LPP leadership of the IWA. The leadership, dissatisfied with the drain of dues into the International, led a breakaway, forming the WIUC. Mrs. Hilland went with the WIUC. CALL NUMBER: T3593:0001 [cont'd] RECORDED: Surrey (B.C.), 1979-07-17 SUMMARY: During her term as an IWA officer, she fought for the payment of workers according to the job performed, not according to race or sex. Her own experience confirmed a belief that women were competent at all physical and intellectual tasks.

PERIOD COVERED: ;1900;-;1979 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1979 [summer] SUMMARY: Born in Victoria in 1913; father reported her birth to immigration and vital statistics as a boy; her marriage was an arranged match; speaks of her husband as a good person, but he gambles; was converted to Christianity and became happy; talks of her superstitious mother who predicted a short life for her, based on a fortune teller's prediction; returned to Canada from China in 1924 and lived in Vancouver Chinatown's Shanghai Alley; speaks of her children and their part-time work when they were young; speaks of the positive aspects of the Canadian government; refers again to her wishes of education for her children; talks of her involvement with community recreation activities since her retirement.

RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1985-08-22 SUMMARY: Born in India; came here with family in 1962; returned for 10 months in 1974; father is a Sikh priest, asked to come to Canada; mother encouraged him to come; father worked in mill as well; wages in both jobs very low; sponsored family with help of temple committee; 1969 father had a bad accident and now gets handicapped pension; mother more modern than father, mother is more educated, made easier adjustment to life here; mother's English pretty good, had a B.A.; mother worked in janitorial; dishwasher; reception; waitressing jobs; feelings about being part of two cultures; mother was rejected by the Indian community for modern ways; expectations of Indian community; respect for parents by children; retaining Indian culture, sense of family responsibilities; difficulties growing up part of two cultures; father didn't like children speaking English; sister rebelled against arranged marriage; father's feelings about modern wife; marriage eventually destroyed; restricted life living in the temple; sisters and brothers; Westernization depends on length of stay; father went to England in 1972; difficult for women immigrants; comparison of upbringing of boys and girls; working at Oasis; alcohol; women able to help themselves here, alternatives, support; how people come to Canada; some had a better life at home; women don't work in India; adjustment hardest for old people; learning English; differences in age groups; problems coming here; restrictions on and mistreatment of women; alcohol and physical abuse; what men do with their time; recommendations; Oasis; changing attitudes; attitudes and expectations of men; Caucasians and Indians need to reach out to each other; political problems, fear, hostility, discrimination; problems of visible minority; tolerance here and in India; change and assimilation takes a long time.

RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1985-08-22 SUMMARY: Came to Vancouver in November 1984 from Northern India; married in 1983, arranged by parents; just at home before that, went to college for two years, finished in 1975; supported by parents; husband was in Canada, went back to India to marry her; husband is a dishwasher in a restaurant, he came here in 1980; feelings about coming here; learning English; what she does here; unhappiness; family problems; treatment by her husband; demands for money; alcoholism and abuse; how her father- and mother-in-law treated her; left husband recently, supported by Oasis; confusion about staying or returning to India; difficulties now, not speaking English, getting around; future plans, going to England; comparison of life here and in India; came from a well-to-do family; projected problems bringing up a baby; discussion of help from Oasis; pregnancy customs in India; comparison of women's roles here and in India; can't take more classes because of the baby; reads English books; possibility of learning English in England; future plans to find work; not much contact with the outside world reasons for wanting to stay in Canada; feelings toward her husband; difficulty in getting money from him; why they got married; deception.

CALL NUMBER: T3604:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): IWA Women's Auxiliary of Lake Cowichan : [tape 1] RECORDED: Lake Cowichan (B.C.), 1979-08-09 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: This is a composite tape [i.e., a group interview] with five former members of the Lake Cowichan Women's Auxiliary of the IWA: Eva Wilson, Lori Belin, Lil Godfrey, June Olsen and Mary Greenwell, who were active in the Women's Auxiliary during the 1930s and 1940s. The women tell of their family and work backgrounds and their subsequent involvement with the union auxiliary. The women come out of very different backgrounds, some with strong trade union families (Nanaimo miners), and others from anti-union backgrounds. Most came to Lake Cowichan as young women who had married loggers. June Olsen, however, came as a teenager, grew up in Lake Cowichan, and joined her friends in the auxiliary. Conditions in the 1930s were primitive; couples lived in shacks without plumbing or electricity, the hospital was in Chemainus, and the road was terrible. TRACK 2: The Women's Auxiliary was pulled together in the 1930's by Edna Brown with the help of some of the organisers for the union. It helped to cut across the isolation that many of the young wives experienced, and to draw them into the struggle to organise the woods. The organiser went from home to home and to isolated logging camps, organising the auxiliary. Women were concerned with safety (because logging was and is an extremely dangerous business), as well as getting a better road to the hospital, and protecting and providing funds and cover for the union organisers. CALL NUMBER: T3604:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): IWA Women's Auxiliary of Lake Cowichan : [tape 2] RECORDED: Lake Cowichan (B.C.), 1979-08-09 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: As the auxiliary developed, its functions expanded and it became the central instrument in creating a community at Lake Cowichan; providing social events, education, and political involvement; establishing the P.T.A., Red Cross, swimming lessons, theatre group, doing war support work, getting fresh milk into the town, organising a children's parade, Dominion Day and Labour Day events, a Lady of the Lake contest, and coordinating with other women's groups, as well as supporting the union's activities. The members attended conventions of the union and federated auxiliary in Vancouver and Eugene (Ore.), and were instrumental in forming auxiliary policy across the IWA because of the large numbers and success of their organisation. TRACK 2: In 1946, during the march to Victoria during the strike, the Lake Cowichan women marched in the front of the trekkers. In Victoria, they organised food and lodgings with other auxiliaries. In 1948, the Lake Cowichan Auxiliary split; the majority of its members went with the WIUC. These years saw some violent confrontations, for example at Iron River, where the IWA crossed WIUC picket lines. The women and their husbands were excluded from the new IWA auxiliary at Lake Cowichan after the WIUC collapsed, and some of them became involved in the co-op, while others later did support work for the IWA when their husbands re-entered the IWA.

RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1985-08-17 SUMMARY: Came from Punjab, India in 1980; was a housewife; husband working in a private company; three children came here with her, sponsored by her son; better living here than in India; she takes care of the children and grandchildren; had her own house and land in India; husband works in a factory; partnership; similarity of life here and in India; what she does here, cooking, shopping etc.; missing India and the children there -- they can't come here; what she likes about Canada; difficulty of not speaking English; classes; social life; previous job in Canada; comparison of jobs in India and Canada; older women do not work in India; why she wants to live in Canada, her children; goes to temple here; being part of Canadian culture; feelings about Canadians; comparison of women working.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Janet Judd : women postal workers, 1950s-1960s RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1979-07-17 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Janet Judd was hired as a part-time postal clerk and then became full-time in 1960. She was one of the first women to achieve this position. The conditions at that time in the post office were "horrifying"; no air conditioning; working for hours while standing; loss of hearing due to noise; mandatory examinations to determine wage increases. When she applied for work in the post office, she resisted placement in a clerical position and fought to become a clerk. Later, she fought to become the first woman dispatcher. Mrs. Judd was the sole support for eight children, and was pregnant when she began to work at the post office. Her case helped to establish both the principle of maternity leave for postal workers, and through this the recognition by the post office that women were a permanent part of the workforce there. TRACK 2: With other women clerks, she resisted male co-workers who harassed women clerks. She became active in the association as a steward. Some of the issues which came up consistently were: racist attitudes towards herself and other non-white workers; discrimination and patronage in hiring; the establishment of mirror surveillance systems in the bathrooms; establishing union recognition and the right to strike; shift changes and services for women with children. During the 1965 strike, management tried to bring scabs in through an old CPR tunnel; the union stopped this. Mrs. Judd had been a student at Strathcona School, and was deeply affected by the Japanese internment, as many of her closest friends were interned. She has been active in many Black organisations, including the Negro Citizens' League, and other civil rights groups.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Jean Scott : Office and Technical workers organize RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1979-06-26 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mrs. Scott first worked as a housemaid in Manitoba. As she worked for several employers, she began to make a connection between the bad treatment of domestic workers and the oppression of women. In 1946, she began working for the Retail Wholesale and Department Store and Packinghouse Union as an office worker. In this position she also put out organising leaflets. She remembers the union contract establishing different pay rates for men and women doing the same work. She helped organise support for the union in the 1947 strike of meat workers and jam factory workers. She later worked for the IWA and assisted the White Bloc in the struggle for leadership of the union. She participated in a campaign to organise office workers which was able only to sign union offices and the BC Co-op. TRACK 2: She felt that the unions organised their staff only under pressure and through the examples set by the Steelworkers and the VDLC. For a while, she served as President of Local 15, OTEU and acted as contract negotiator. The BCFL had a position calling for equal pay for women. She believes that it was difficult for women to become trade union leaders and win adequate recognition for their work. OTEU supported childcare and maternity leave. Their contracts acted as models for other unions in the BCFL on these questions.

PERIOD COVERED: ;1920;-;1979 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1979 [summer] SUMMARY: Visited Canada and United States in 1972, and liked Canada's excellent living conditions and open spaces, so she applied for landed immigrant status. Canada is a haven for senior citizens; the government looks after their senior citizens so that they can be independent of their children; there are many organisations set up for senior citizens in Vancouver. She is learning English so that she can better express herself; "without English is like being a blind person"; educated in China in a Christian missionary school; was in Hong Kong during the Sino-Japanese war; supported her five children and; sick husband as a farm labourer during this period. After her husband's death, she found work in a factory at the end of the Sino-Japanese war. An old friend found her a job in the Hong Kong orphanage and gave her a start with a gift of $200. Since immigration to Canada, has been back to Hong Kong once.

RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1985-08-26 SUMMARY: Came from the south of France in 1982; was a student, her husband is Canadian; talks about marriage and leaving France; how her lifestyle changed upon moving to Canada; social strata more strict in France, more open here; making friends, finding a job; speaking English; support from the Multicultural Association and the Francophone Society; social events, comparison here and France; father's attitudes about education and work for a woman; job at Gibson's, English improved; return to school here; attempts to find work teaching; wants to feel independent; how philosophy has changed, grown; learning English; work on cable TV program; able to approach MLAs; what she misses, going back; differences in childrearing, education; respect; male/female roles here and in France; view of women in France and Canada; how she has changed here; women's movement in France; feeling both Canadian and French; teaching/sharing her language and culture; being part of French groups here; making good friends here is difficult; friend's experiences have been different; suggestions for integrating into Canadian culture; taking courses; classes at different places; clubs and associations; English-speaking people need to be more aware; possibility of exchanging [ideas?] between immigrant and Canadian women; difficulty in going to university here.

RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1979 [summer] SUMMARY: Came to Canada in September 1950; Chinatown was dilapidated and run-down; some of the houses were tiny. Worked for a fish wholesaler for eight years and also as a farm labourer and shrimp peeler; husb;and was out of work in the shingle mill; didn't speak English but surprised people by being able to go out alone; people thought her very brave; bought a sewing machine on credit and learned to alter ;and sew clothes to earn money; when she first came to Canada she thought people in Chinatown were old-fashioned; they wanted women hidden away; if a woman were to look out a window in her home, she wa;s considered shameless and men would stare at them when they were out; there were not many native Indians in the Chinatown area twenty years ago; there are also more prostitutes in the area now; twent;y years ago she was very naïve and didn't know what these women did for a living; now a Canadian citizen and votes in every election; husband came to Canada at the age of fifteen; during the Sino-Japa;nese war, he was able to send money via San Francisco to support her; talks about the positive aspects of government social assistance to senior citizens; gives the wages she was earning in the fish c;annery; talks about the purchase of a rooming house by herself and her husband.;

RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1985-08-27 SUMMARY: Came from mainland Greece near Delphi in 1960; small towns and villages in that area; she left when she was fifteen, she wanted more freedom; sister came to marry; changes in coming here; returned hom;e and decided to stay in Canada; difficulties; her will to make it work; advantages and youth; sense of freedom; children don't leave home in Greece; differences in childrearing; bringing two cultures; together; carrying old values and passing them on; sense of heritage plus freedom and openness; family life in Greece; differences in treatment of boys and girls, men and women; women in marriage; We;stern versus Greek customs; not speaking English; difficulties of immigrating; language problems; going to school and working, dishwashing and waitressing; put herself through trade school; has her ow;n business now; surprised at the government support here; not much time to socialize; cultural organizations and the Greek community; Greek customs and celebrations; advantages of cultural association;s; no more Greeks coming here; people leave Greece to better their lives; education in Greece when she left; feels cheated by her lack of education; difficulty for older people to adapt to a new count;ry; advice to newcomers; be open-minded and patient; language problem; different people are different in their priorities; programs which reach out are helpful, but people need to do it themselves; IC;A and SWAG working together.;

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Mabel Haggen made in 1974.
T0288:0001 tracks 1 & 2: Lois Haggen : C.C.F. MLA in the 1950s. Personal background and life in the interior of British Columbia in the 1920s and 1930s. Discussion of the work of her husband Rupert Haggen and involvement with the C.C.F. Rupert's election as an MLA in 1949. Discussion of Coalition government and problems. The growth of Social Credit and its election victory. Description of the life of an MLA's wife and the social life in Victoria. The disappointment of the C.C.F. at not forming the government in 1952, and its impact on the party. Party leaders in the 1950s. Running for election in 1956 and early role as an MLA. Her reaction to Social Credit and W.A.C. Bennett.
T0288:0002 tracks 1 & 2: Interview with Lois Haggen, C.C.F. and NDP Member of the Legislative Assembly during the fifties and sixties. Discussion and description of campaigning in elections. Her role as a woman in politics. The role of her party as the opposition party. Her interests and goals in various legislation. Work to repeal taxes on children's clothing; efforts on the part of rural electrification; interest in rights of women. Discussion of committee work in the Legislature. Changing attitudes of government. Reaction to the takeover of B.C. Electric. Accomplishments as an MLA. Defeat and leaving government.

CALL NUMBER: T3689:0001 PERIOD COVERED: 1908-1964 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1979 [summer] SUMMARY: Born in Fernie, BC; parents are of Italian descent; third eldest of seven children; after the 1908 Fernie fire, in which the two elder siblings died, family moved to Nordic, Alberta; was sick throughout childhood; attended five years of school; was blind from age ten to twelve; was married at fifteen after the birth of a child; was naïve about men and sex; mother was Catholic, but Anna attended a ;Protestant church in Nordic because there was no Catholic church in that community; talks of her first husband and his work in the railway and subsequent divorce; worked in Vancouver as a waitress; custody and care of her two children from her first husband; her second husband was away from home working around BC; discusses her husband's problem with alcohol; worked all her life and managed to purchase a house and two small businesses; she talks about and describes various members of her family, and discusses taking boarders in her home between 1959 and 1964.

CALL NUMBER: T3689:0002 PERIOD COVERED: 1925-1979 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1979 [summer] SUMMARY: Discusses her relationship with her five children; second husband died in 1966; took in Hungarian refugees, approximately 1957; describes the renters in her home. Her husband cared for her when she had a hysterectomy and was sick and depressed; finally sold the house in 1972; has been in poor health and has had cancer; felt she has always tried to help a lot of people if they are in need; regrets ;marrying so young and naïve. She considers that living on Vancouver's skid road in the East End at present is bad, especially with muggings; relates how muggers once ran her down and stole her groceri;es and the ninety cents she had; she understands what being poor means, as she had in the past gone to the Salvation Army for a meal.;

CALL NUMBER: T3693:0001 PERIOD COVERED: 1899-1979 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1979 [summer] SUMMARY: Her birthplace; recalls her education; cruel teacher; living in Vancouver with her mother; Orma's working, embroidery, babysitting, cleaning fish; moving out to Commercial Drive; married at the age of 20 talks of her daughter; impression of life in the East End; experiences and impressions of hoodlums and muggings; description of her apartment; impression of the area on First Church; drunkards; drinking; more on her daughter; Orma's friends.

CALL NUMBER: T3693:0002 PERIOD COVERED: 1899-1979 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1979 [summer] SUMMARY: Born in 1890 in Ontario; moved to Winnipeg at the age of 8; her mother; living with aunt; living on farm; got hurt at school; teacher threw her down the stairs; from ages of eight to twelve spent in hospital; sewing experience; Vancouver with mother; effects of the Depression of the family; babysitting; left home at age 18; her daughter and marriage; miscellaneous concerning her health and doctors; comments on her life in general her activities.

PERIOD COVERED: ;1930;-;1979 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1979 [summer] SUMMARY: Immigrated to Canada in 1973; received "Min Com" social assistance shortly after her arrival in Canada; thankful for the different levels of government assistance in Canada for Old people; presently baby-sits grandchildren while her daughter works; worked as a farm labourer in China; compares China and Canada's social welfare system; during the Communist revolution in China, she was classified as ;a middle-class labourer, so survived the purge; speaks of her life experiences during the Sino-Japanese war; her philosophy of life; not active in community affairs; the Chinatown district is unsafe for her at night; discusses women's rights in China before 1949.