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Hutchinson, Mildred (audio interview #2 of 3)
INTERVIEW DESCRIPTION - Hutchinson speaks rather softly in this second interview, making it hard to hear her at times. This is particularly problematic on the second side of the recording (2b), where there is background noise.
- Date
- 2021-02-25
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- SUBJECT BIO - Mildred Hutchinson was interested in social issues and "underdogs" all her life. She focused her energy in the PTA, YWCA, and particularly the United Methodist Church, which she viewed as more liberal than the Congregational Church in which she was raised. After graduating from Los Angeles HIgh School, Hutchinston attended one year of nurses training in San Diego, where the family had moved. After she married in 1919, she dropped out and devoted herself to family life. She became increasingly involved in the United Methodist Church after her son was grown, and at the time of the interview was head of the Social Issues Board for southern California and Arizona. She remained active until her death , just short of her 106th birthday. Although the interviewer was hoping to document Hutchinson's involvement in social issues, these details are sparse. TOPICS - nursing school ; courtship practices; Prohibition; activism and involvement in United Methodist Church, PTA; YWCA; Depression; food cooperatives; and widowhood;homemaking; family roles; transportation and automobiles; activities with PTA and Parent Education Program; parenthood; gender roles and career opportunities for women; and attitudes towards women's clubs;
- *** File: refmhutchinson3.mp3 Audio Segments and Topics: (0:00-8:16)... Note: the audio quality in the beginning of this segment is poor. Hutchinson discusses her course of study in nursing school, indicating she was trained in a hospital. Her mother made her uniform, which consisted of a blue and white striped dress and a white apron. Her father was opposed to her decision to attend nursing school. She decided to leave the program when she married. The program directors were displeased with her decision to leave because she showed potential. Nursing school taught her self-discipline, as well as many other valuable lessons. She describes an incident when she appealed to the board to readmit a fellow student. (8:16-12:37)... She met her fiance while she was in high school, and they were engaged when she turned nineteen. Their engagement was very informal, although courtship practices at the time were quite formal. They were either chaperoned on dates or were in a group setting. When the US entered WWI, her fiance was drafted. They dated one or two years before marrying. (12:37-16:32)... She discusses the Prohibition period in Los Angeles, indicating that many people made their own moonshine. While people did not worry about drugs during this period, alcohol consumption at school dances or entertainment events was a major concern. During school events, people were not allowed reentry as a security measure against the use of alcoholic beverages. However, she contends that even the most law-abiding citizens delighted in breaking Prohibition laws and imbibed regularly. (16:32-24:41)... Note: there is an interruption in the recording in this segment. In the 1930s, she was active with the Methodist Church and the PTA. Though she and her husband were raised Congregationalists, they wanted to help the Methodist Church. The Methodists were socially active and assisted people during the Depression by establishing food cooperatives. She discusses her attitudes towards women's clubs and their inactivity in ameliorating social problems. For this reason, she became active in the church. Following her husband's death in 1952, her activity with the Methodist Church and the YWCA increased. (24:41-25:27)... She describes her feelings following her husband's death. In general, she did not feel like a whole person after her husband died. end of tape *** File: refmhutchinson4.mp3 (0:00-2:44)... After marrying in 1919, she and her husband moved to Redondo Beach. She describes grocery shopping and the foods that she typically purchased. At this time, their only refrigeration was an ice box so they could not stock up on too much food. (2:44-5:35)... During WWII, her husband handed the finances over to her, which was her first experience writing personal checks. She was proud of her ability to handle the finances. However, her interest in reading created a constant need to purchase books. (5:35-9:57)... Prior to owning a vehicle, she and her husband used the trolley cars for transportation. Shortly after marrying, they purchased a vehicle, but often encountered problems on the road because of mechanical difficulties. Her husband then surprised her with a new Ford, which was an important event in their life. Her husband taught her how to drive and they often took trips to San Diego and other places of interests. (9:57-15:08)... She discusses her involvement with the PTA and provides detailed information on the their Parent Education Program, which was developed in the 1930s. The purpose of the program was to teach parents how to manage and care for their children. In her own family, she shared equal responsibility with her husband in disciplining and caring for their child. Though she wanted to have another child, her husband advised against it because he thought it was better to focus on their son. (15:08-21:18)... Hutchinson notes that work and career opportunities were limited for women because of their roles as wives and mothers. The concept of combining marriage and a career was not popular. As a result, women were very active in social clubs and other organizations that helped gained influence outside the home. However, she did not particularly like women's clubs. As a result, most of her activities were concentrated in religious groups, where women's issues were not the only social causes being addressed. She wanted to be with organizations that dealt with issues related to the family. In addition, she explains that she worked better with men than women. end of tape
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