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Emery, Louise (audio interview #2 of 4)
INTERVIEW DESCRIPTION - This second interview with Louise Emery, which covers her early work experiences and her position at the First Congregational Church in Los Angeles, was conducted in her living quarters at Pilgrim's Place. The audio quality of the interview is good. 2/10/1977
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- 2021-02-23
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- *** File: reflemery3.mp3 Audio Segments and Topics: (0:00-7:34)... Emery 's mother taught her how to be independent and self-reliant. At the same time, she created a sense of stability by being a constant presence in Emery's life. She encouraged Emery to read and was not afraid to discuss sensitive issues related to current events or international affairs in Emery's presence. Emery 's parents shared equal roles in the family. They often held contradictory opinions on subjects, but these differences were confined to their opinions, not their personalities. She illustrates her parents' support and dedication to her well being. (7:34-19:34)... Until she left for college, her clothes were hand sewn by her mother. They also used the services of a dressmaker. She describes her hair styles and clothing during her youth. In high school, gym class included athletic activities, such as exercises, basketball and aesthetic dancing. She did not enjoy gym class in college; rather she participated in other physical activity, such as taking long walks in the spring and summer and snow shoeing in the winter. (19:34-26:03)... Emery describes her mother's background and some of the influences that account for her mother's enlightened views towards parenting and life. Emery's father was a self-educated man who was very knowledgeable about technical and mechanical processes. (26:03-29:17)... Emery discusses her experiences riding horses and her decision to cut her hair short, which was well received by her parents. As a child, she occasionally regretted that she did not have siblings, but this was tempered by the fact that she had so many friends. She believes that age was the determining factor in her parents' decision not to have more children. (29:17-37:06)... To prepare herself for the job market, Emery enrolled in a six week course to learn typesetting, proofreading, and bookbinding. She describes this course and her position in the editorial department of Ginn and Company; while she was working there, she was also attending night school to learn shorthand typing. She wanted to increase her business skills so she could move into a different department within the company. (37:06-39:22)... Note: there is an interruption in the recording in this segment. Her parents expected that she would pursue a career and were very supportive of her decisions. She wanted to find a job that satisfied her desire to help others. Monetary gain was not a factor in her decision-making process. She worked in the editorial department of Ginn and Company for a few months and then decided to leave because she did not want to be like the other women working there. (39:22-42:27)... During the summer, between jobs, in helping her mother around the house, Emery gardened and read. Many of her friends were home from college and they often met for social gatherings. She spent a lot of time at the beach swimming. end of tape *** File: reflemery4.mp3 (0:00-3:06)... The two women Emery worked with at Ginn and Company were upper-class, educated women. She viewed them as stuffy women with limited capacity for advancement within the company. She did not want to be in a position where she was only responsible for certain tasks with very little room for change. (3:06-11:59)... Her second job was just as disappointing as the first. She believes she was hired under false pretenses. Once hired, the office manager instructed her to clean all the cupboards in the office. She worked at this company for two weeks. However, her third job with N.W. Ayer and Sons Advertising Agency was more promising. She worked for this company for three years as the assistant to the head of the School, Camp, and College Advertising Department. (11:59-16:35)... Emery compares her past and present perception of herself, representing herself as having been a much more enterprising woman with a stronger work ethic. With regard to union representation, she did not feel that she needed a union because N.W. Ayer and Sons Advertising Agency treated her very well. However, she grew weary of the owner's poor temperament. During this period, Emery's mother began experiencing serious problems with her eyes and had an operation. (16:35-21:55)... Emery and her parents decided to move to California in 1924 because they thought the climate would be more beneficial for her mother's health. After selling their home, her parents drove to California. Although her mother's health improved in California, she eventually lost her eyesight because of glaucoma. (21:55-26:47)... Upon arriving in California, Emery and her parents purchased a home in Alhambra. Her father handled most of the responsibilities around the house because her mother's eyesight was failing. He retired and supported himself and her mother on the proceeds he received for selling some of his patents. Emery worked for Page Notary Academy for two years and then went to work for the First Congregational Church as the assistant to the director. When she got this job, they sold the house in Alhambra and moved into an apartment in Los Angeles near USC. (26:47-35:53)... <There is a telephone interruption in this segment > Emery describes her job responsibilities at Page Notary Academy. Although she enjoyed this position, she wanted something more challenging, and accepted a position at the First Congregational Church. Although the woman she worked for was quite capable, she was very abrasive. However, Emery learned a great deal from this woman about the religious education department. Emery assumed the position of program director when this woman resigned. She details the religious education program at the First Congregational Church, as well as the development of a nursery school, a girls work program, and an adult education program, known as College of Life. (35:53-43:28)... Emery continues the discussion of her responsibilities as the Program Director of the religious education program of the First Congregational Church, providing details about her daily routine. There was a registration committee that handled the enrollment of church members into classes; a publicity committee, which recruited students from local libraries, schools, and hotels. She believes that the program was very successful and that many people benefited. She worked for the church for nine years and headed the education program for seven years, although she receives little credit for the development of this program. end of tape
- SUBJECT BIO - Louise Emery spent most of her adult career engaged in social programs, initially at the First Congregational Church in Los Angeles and then at the YWCA, first in Hawaii and then in Pasadena. After graduating from Mt. Holyoke, Emery worked at publishing companies and advertising agencies in Boston until moving to Los Angeles with her parents. Although her job at the First Congregational Church launched her career in social welfare, it was her work as the executive director of the YWCA in Hawaii that first brought her into contact with various ethnic communities. Emery arrived in Hawaii just a few months before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Afterwards, she developed programs and services at the YWCA both to provide support to servicemen and their wives and the members of the Japanese community. After the war, in 1946, she returned to Los Angeles and became the Executive Director of the Pasadena YWCA. During her seventeeen years there, until her retirement in 1963, Emery started many programs for minorities and fought reform battles with the male-dominated community. TOPICS - parents; childhood; clothing; hairstyles; physical activities; friendships; work; attitudes towards career choice; and social activities;work; career opportunities; move to California; parents; First Congregational Church and development of the religious education program;
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8014428877136014-reflemery3.mp3 Public
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6444674537060164-reflemery4.mp3 Public
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3507392407080704-reflemery1.jpg Public
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