Rhode Island Working Women Oral History

University Archives and Special Collections
15 Lippitt Road
Kingston, RI 02881-2011
Tel: 401-874-4632

email: archives@etal.uri.edu

Published in 2008

Collection Overview

Title:	Rhode Island Working Women Oral History
Date range:	1981-1983
Creator:	Quinney, Valerie
Extent:	4 box(es) (1.75 linear feet)
Abstract:	The collection consists of interviews with female clerical workers of the state of Rhode Island. The interviews were conducted as part of the University of Rhode Island Oral History Project and cover careers from the 1930s through the 1970s.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	University Archives and Special Collections
Collection number:	Mss. Gr. 52

Scope & content

This collection contains audiocassette tapes, transcripts, and release forms for the interviews with Rhode Island clerical workers.

Arrangement

After processing, the collection was arranged in two series. Each is organized alphabetically by interviewee. Release forms are located with the cassette tapes.

• 1. Interviews
• 2. Transcripts

Biographical or Historical Information

From 1981 to 1983 URI History Professor Valerie Quinney coordinated and conducted a series of interviews as part of the University of Rhode Island Oral History Project to document the lives of clerical workers in Rhode Island. The majority of interviews are from women who were employed as clerical workers during the 1930s through the 1970s. At least one interview documents a clerical career beginning in 1907 and an additional interview is from a woman who was still employed at the time of the interview. Just as the clerical career of each interviewee was different, the observations and comments each interviewee offered regarding their careers is different.

The subject matter discussed in the interviews covers a wide variety of topics. One interviewee, a Rhode Island state clerical worker describes the changes in women’s roles within a large state agency in context with the political climate of state management and union interaction. Another interview reveals the confusion many women clerical workers experienced over the lack of job descriptions, the lack of knowledge about company policy, and the vulnerability felt when working in an all-male environment. In contrast, a third interview describes the work-culture of an all-female department within a bank. The interviews reveal the unique problems women experienced as clerical workers within the cultural expectations and confines of mid-20th century America.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	Open for research.
Use of the materials:	Terms governing use and reproduction: Photocopying and scanning of materials is a fee based service available in the repository and is allowed at the discretion of the Archivist when in compliance to the Unit's policy on copyright and publication.
Preferred citation:	Rhode Island Working Women Oral History, Mss. Gr. 52, University of Rhode Island, University Archives and Special Collections.
Contact information:	University Archives and Special Collections 15 Lippitt Road Kingston, RI 02881-2011 Tel: 401-874-4632 email: archives@etal.uri.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	The records were transferred to Special Collections in 1983.
Custodial history:	The records were held by Professor Valerie Quinney.
Processing information:	The collection was processed by Kevin J. Logan in 1983.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Russell Franks.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Nicholas Albaugh on 2008 May 22, updated by Hailie D. Posey on 2009 September 23, updated by Mark Dionne on 2020 May 12.
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

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Inventory