The DC-3 Aviation Museum
Presents:
Rosie The Riviter
Oral History question guide
Notice: this is not a test nor a requirement
If you/they find in any question, something you do not want to answer,
…Then just ignore it …
…it is only an attempt to record as much of "Rosie the Riviter" as we can…
Because history is a very important part of our life …
and each story represents a time in the past that will never happen again…
Notice : after conducting many interviews I have noticed an interesting thing. When you ask a question, that seems to spark a memory from the past, that person is reliving it as though it were happening at that time. They will see names, Items and people exactly the way they were. When this happens do not ask other questions "go with the flow" because many times this will be the first time they have thought of that incident since the day that it happened. If you ask a question out of sequence you will "Loose the moment" and it is impossible to gain it again. But believe me it is well worth the time you spend wandering around in the past. -"Bear"
NOTE: Please use separate paper or recording device to record the answers you receive.
What is your full name and why were you named it?
Were you named after somebody else?
Did you have a nickname as you were growing up?
If you did, what was it and why did they call you that?
Have you had other nicknames as an adult?
Where were you born and when?
Do you remember hearing your Parents/grandparents describe anything about "Rosie the Riviter" in their lives?
What did they say?
Do you remember your family discussing "Rosie the Riviter" events?
What is the worst job you ever had to do as a "Rosie the Riviter" ?
What would you consider to be the most important Aircraft made during your lifetime?
How is the world of women now different from what it was like when you were "Rosie the Riviter"?
What kinds of "Rosie the Riviter" books or papers did you like to read?
Do you remember a favorite "Rosie the Riviter" story? What was it?
Do you ever remember having especially bad/good food to eat because of conditions where you were?
What were your "Rosie the Riviter" Training schools like?
How did you get to "Rosie the Riviter" Training school?
What was your favorite subject/job in "Rosie the Riviter" Training school and why?
What subject in "Rosie the Riviter" Training school was always the easiest for you?
What was your least favorite subject/job in "Rosie the Riviter" Training school and why?
Who was your favorite teacher in "Rosie the Riviter" Training and why were they special?
How do your fellow classmates from "Rosie the Riviter" days remember you best?
Did you and your "Rosie the Riviter" friends have a special hang-out where you liked to spend time?
Where was it and what did you do there?
Were you ever given any special awards for your "Rosie the Riviter" activities?
How many Ratings of "Rosie the Riviter" Training did you complete?
What was your exit rateing?
Did you like "Rosie the Riviter" Training school?
What did you like the most and the least about it?
What did you usually wear to "Rosie the Riviter" Training school? Describe it.
Were there any fads during your training that you remember vividly?
How old were you when you started "Rosie the Riviter" Training?
Do you remember your first "Rosie the Riviter" job? Describe the circumstances.
Name a "Rosie the Riviter" good friend that you have known for the longest period of time?
How many years have you been friends?
Has there ever been anyone in your "Rosie the Riviter" career that you would consider to be your kindred spirit or soul mate?
If so, who were they and why did you feel a special bond to them?
Did you have a "Rosie the Riviter" leave? If so, where did you go?
What do (did) you admire/ not admire most about the Aircraft you worked on?
How long were you a "Rosie the Riviter"
What wise advice would you give to today's young women?
How did you find out where you were going to be assigned for the first time?
How many Aircraft have you worked on all together?
What were their type names?
Do you remember anything that you did when you were early in "Rosie the Riviter" Training that really amazed you?
What is one of the most unusual things that one of your peers did regularly that really amazed you?
What was the funniest thing you can remember that one of your peers said or did?
If you had it to do all over again, would you change any part of your "Rosie the Riviter" career? How?
What did you find most difficult about being a "Rosie the Riviter" ?
What did you find most rewarding about being a "Rosie the Riviter" ?
Were/are you a strict (by the book) or a (bend the book) "Rosie the Riviter"?
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
What was your most enjoyable "Rosie the Riviter" job?
What kinds of "Rosie the Riviter" jobs have you had?
How did you decide to become a "Rosie the Riviter"?
Did you make enough money to live comfortably?
How long did you have to work each day at your job?
How old were you when you were laid off as a "Rosie the Riviter"?
How were you notified ?
What were the hardest choices that you ever had to make? Do you feel like you made the right choices?
Who was the person that had the most positive influence on your life? Who were they and what did they do?
Is there a person that really changed the course of your life by something that they did?
Who were they and what did they do?
Do you remember someone saying something to you that had a big impact on how you lived your life?
What was it that they said?
What wars have been fought during your lifetime? How did you feel about them?
Were you ever injured in the line of work as a "Rosie the Riviter"?
What were the circumstances and what were your injuries?
What U.S. President have you admired the most and why?
As you see it, what are the biggest problems that face our nation and how do you think they could be solved?
How tall are you?
What color was your hair as a young child and then as an adult?
What color are your eyes?
Where have you lived as an adult? List the places and the years that you lived there.
Why are you living where you are today?
Do you wish you lived somewhere else (If so, where would it be)?
Have you ever been in a serious "Rosie the Riviter" accident?
Has anyone ever saved your life? Describe.
Have you ever saved anyone else's life? Describe.
Have you ever been hospitalized for "Rosie the Riviter" related injury? If so, what for?
If you could have changed something about your "Rosie the Riviter" career, what would it be?
Have you ever had an experience that you would consider to be miraculous?
What was the most stressful experience as a "Rosie the Riviter" that you ever lived through? What helped you get through it?
What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you personally?
Would you consider yourself creative?
How would you describe your sense of humor?
What is the funniest practical joke you ever played on anyone as a "Rosie the Riviter"?
What are your hobbies?
What is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to you?
What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you while you were a
"Rosie the Riviter"?
Have you ever met any famous people? Where? Describe what happened.
What "Rosie the Riviter" organizations and groups have you belonged to?
Have you ever won any special medals, awards or prizes as a "Rosie the Riviter"? What were they?
What were they for?
Describe a time and place when you remember feeling truly at peace and happy to be alive.
Where were you and what were you doing?
What is the most beautiful place you have ever visited and what was it like?
What is the longest "Rosie the Riviter" job that you had to work on?
What was the favorite place you ever visited and what was it like?
Do you have a favorite story about a "Rosie the Riviter" pet/mascot ? What is it?
Is there anything as a "Rosie the Riviter" , you always wanted to do, but didn't?
Celebrations:
What was Christmas like when you were a "Rosie the Riviter" /Overseas/In a Foreign Country?
What was Easter like as a "Rosie the Riviter"?
How did you celebrate birthdays in the shop as a "Rosie the Riviter"?
FAVORITES
What style of music do you remember from your "Rosie the Riviter" career?
What was/is your favorite musical instrument?
Who was/is your favorite musical group?
What was/is your favorite song?
Who was/is your favorite singer?
Who was/is your favorite movie star?
What was/is your favorite movie?
Who is your favorite artist?
What is your favorite painting?
Who is your favorite poet?
What is your favorite poem?
What was/is your favorite movie?
Who was/is your favorite author?
What was/is your favorite book?
What is your favorite season?
What is your favorite holiday?
What is your favorite color?
What is your favorite sport?
Who was/is your favorite athlete?
What is your favorite meal?
What is your favorite drink?
What was/is your favorite restaurant?
What was/is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
What is your favorite card game?
IF YOU HAD TO PICK A LABEL FOR Your "Rosie the Riviter" Friends
WHO BEST FITS THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTIONS?
The best cook;
The hardest-worker;
the quietest;
the best memory;
the best gardener;
the funniest;
the best-looking;
the animal lover;
the most politically-active;
the most mischievous;
the calmest;
the most athletic;
the most intelligent;
the most educated;
the best career;
the most creative;
the wildest lifestyle;
the most sociable;
the biggest tease;
the worst housekeeper;
the most reclusive;
the most colorful;
the most relaxed;
the most frugal;
the most generous;
the tallest;
the shortest;
the best story-teller
We deeply appreciate your support in trying to save a record of your outstanding service to our country.
Our Country may not have paid proper tribute for your efforts but we as a people remember and thank you for all that you have done for your country and for helping to make our country safe and free.
Respectively
Ed Hake Director
