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Milligan, Adele Hernandez (audio interview #3 of 3)
INTERVIEW DESCRIPTION - This is the final interview with Adele Hernandez Milligan, conducted in her home in Lakewood, California. Although still somewhat nervous, Milligan was more forthcoming in this interview, which covers her life during and after the war. 1/21/1981
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- 2021-03-22
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- SUBJECT BIO - Adele Hernandez Milligan was twenty three years old when she went to work at the Lockheed plant in Maywood (southeastern Los Angeles). Milligan, the fourth of three children, was born in Texas. After her mother left the family, she moved to Los Angeles with her father and siblings. Shortly after they arrived, Milligan began working at various factory and packing house jobs, until 1942, when she went to work at Lockheed. As the war was drawing to a close, in 1944, the plant was closed and all the workers were transferred to another sub-assembly plant. Since there wasn't much work, and little future there, Mulligan quit to take a more "glamorous" job - as an usherette in one of the large downtown theaters. She continued to work there until her marriage in 1954, when she started her career as a full-time homemaker. Three interviews were conducted in the living room of her small, cheerful tract home. Milligan remained a somewhat hesitant participant throughout the oral history process, even though her sister encouraged her continued participation in the project, Milligan remained a somewhat hesitant participant, and was cautious and nervous about the interviews. She did continue, however, and despite her reluctance tried to cooperative, checking details of her earlier life with other members of the family. TOPICS - V-J Day; employment at movie theaters; work attire; social activities; dating and relationships; economic status; wages; family life; attitudes towards work; marriage; and domesticity;marriage; children; motherhood; domesticity; husband; social activities; Mexican identity; reflections on life; feminism; and abortion;
- *** File: rrramilligan7.mp3 Audio Segments and Topics: (0:00-5:18)... This interview begins with a brief introduction. Milligan enjoyed working at the movie theater more than defense work. The environment at the the theater was clean and she came in contact with the public on a regular basis. As an usherette, she was required to wear a uniform and she describes her attire in detail. All of the ushers at the Los Angeles Theater were women and the managers and assistant managers were men. (5:18-8:54)... She was working at the Los Angeles Theater when President Franklin D. Roosevelt died. The public was very sad and the theater closed for the day to mourn his death. Milligan had already transferred to the Million Dollar Theater when VJ Day was declared. She recalls that people were ecstatic when they heard the news that the war had ended and there were celebrations in the street. At the time, she was helping her manager with the theater marquee and he was almost knocked off his ladder by overzealous celebrators. (8:54-16:29)... Milligan lived at home until she married some time in her late thirties. While working at the movie theater her social interaction with her friends from Gardena lessened and she began socializing with her co-workers at the theater. Many of the women she worked with also were Latina. They went to the movies together and socialized during work hours; however, Milligan did not develop close ties with any of these women. She also was involved in a romantic relationship with the assistant manager of the theater. Her boyfriend was raised in a strict Jewish household and was expected to marry a Jewish woman. The two dated for eight years and Milligan eventually broke off the relationship because she knew it would never result in marriage. (16:29-21:45)... After working at the Million Dollar Theater, she transferred to the Olympic Theater located on Broadway and 8th Street in Los Angeles. She worked as the head usher and a cashier at this theater. She earned approximately $27a week, and she gave her mother $20. After her father left the family, she and her older sister and brother were supporting the family with their salaries. When the war ended, they cashed in their war bonds and purchased a home for their mother located on 43rd Place in Los Angeles. Milligan did not have the opportunity to save very much money during this period in her life. It cost .10 cents to take a bus to downtown Los Angeles and about $1 to eat a meal. Her mother managed their money well and whenever they needed something she was able to provide them with the cash. When Milligan married she had managed to save approximately $100. (21:45-26:20)... When she broke off her eight-year relationship she began thinking it was about time for her to settle down and get married. She met her husband while working at the theater. He worked for a vending company and supplied the vending machines at the theater. She describes him as an attractive, nice man. They dated for six months and then eloped. She did not want to have a wedding because she felt that she was too old. Milligan's mother liked her husband and she was not upset that her daughters were leaving the home. She had a boyfriend of her own and socialized on a regular basis. Milligan got along with her in-laws very well and describes her mother-in-law as a second mother. (26:20-28:50)... When Milligan married she decided to stop working. She had been working steadily since she was seventeen years old and felt that she spent enough time in the labor force. She adjusted to being a housewife very well. She spent her time cleaning the house or visiting her mother in Los Angeles. When she married, she moved to Long Beach and lived in an apartment with her husband. They rented for many years before purchasing their own home. Milligan's mother-in-law also lived in Long Beach and they socialized as well. End of tape. *** File: rrramilligan8.mp3 (0:00-6:45)... When Milligan married, she decided to get pregnant almost immediately. She wanted to have two children and ultimately gave birth to two sons who were approximately two years apart in age. She did not have any complications with her pregnancy due to her age. After her sons were born, she spent most of her time caring for them and visiting her family. She did not spend very much time with friends or socialize with other young mothers. She befriended a neighbor and they often baby sat each other's children when they had to run errands. However, when Milligan moved out of the neighborhood she lost contact with this woman. Since Milligan did not have any female friends she discussed her problems or any other issues with either her mother or mother-in-law. (6:45-10:13)... When her children were in school she was involved with PTA and was a den mother for the Cub Scouts. She handled all of the decorations for events. She started painting several years ago, but recently stopped because her eyesight has diminished. Her days were typically spent taking care of her children and cleaning the house. She enjoyed domesticity, especially after having worked for so many years in the labor force. (10:13-11:41)... Milligan names some of the friends that she and her husband socialize with. These people work with her husband. She explains that they spend a lot of time with her family and that her husband does not have any living relatives. (11:41-13:24)... Milligan's husband and children did not speak Spanish and her children did not pursue an understanding of their Mexican heritage and culture. In fact, most of the men and women in Milligan's family married "Gringos," not Mexicans. Her family did not live in Mexican enclaves such as east Los Angeles and did not maintain a close link to their Mexican heritage. (13:24-16:26)... Milligan's husband is seven years younger than herself and was married on three occasions prior to marrying her. His marriages generally did not last long. She met her husband when he was about to marry his third wife and that marriage only lasted six months. However, she was not concerned about the failures of his past relationships when she married him. Her mother-in-law baby sat their first baby when they wanted to go out and go on short vacations. (16:26-22:52)... When her children got older she did not think about leaving the home and going back to work. She wanted to be home when her children came home from school. Both of her sons started working while they were still attending high school. They both attended college, but did not receive college degrees. She discusses her son's employment status and their personalities. (22:52-25:22)... Milligan always enjoyed painting and when she decided to paint on a regular basis she took lessons in Lakewood. She spends most of her time visiting with family. Even though her siblings live far away, they talk on a regular basis and have remained close over the years. In terms of the future, she believes that at the age of sixty-two she may not have too much time left in her life. She hopes that she and her husband can remain happy together for the rest of their lives. (25:22-28:56)... Upon reflection of her life, Milligan explains that she would pursue an education if she had the opportunity to live her life over. Other than that she enjoyed her experiences and has lived a healthy life. In regards to feminism she remarks, "more power to them." However, she does not identify herself as a feminist and appreciates traditional gender roles, such as a man opening car doors for women. Milligan also believes in abortion regardless of the fact that she is a Catholic. She discusses her attitudes towards abortion and her distaste for women who continue to birth illegitimate children and rely on state assistance. End of tape.
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