Oral History of Amelia Menard

Oral History of Amelia Menard

oral history

Interview with Amelia Catherine (Galley) Menard, taken by her granddaughter, Sarah Martino, a student at Worcester State College. Amelia lived in Worcester her whole life, growing up in the Irish and Italian neighborhood of St. Anne's Hill. Her parents were both born in Italy. She attended Sacred Heart Academy and Salt Secretarial School, worked in an office at a department store, and worked as a secretary. She and her husband (a draftsman and mechanical engineer) raised four children. In this interview, Amelia reflects on changes in the city, women's work in the home, the role of religion in her life. She recalls the 1953 tornado, the Blizzard of 1978, and Worcester Warehouse fire in 2005. Mrs. Menard was hesitant to be interviewed, so she wrote out her responses and then read them during the recording. The interview recounts Amelia's childhood and parents. She then discusses her education, work and life as a mother. She remembers Worcester historical events and reminisces about dating, entertainment and fashion, favorite songs, leisure time activities, her definition of success, and gives advice to future generations of women. Click on the playbar below to hear the interview (9:00).

Amelia Menard

2008

Sarah Martino

MP3 file, 9:00.

Sarah Martino

Amelia Menard

Worcester, MA

MP3 file

9:00

128 Kbps