Oral histories are interviews of people who share a bit of their life story. They help the past come alive for younger generations and also connect us with people with different backgrounds. By listening to these stories, we learn what has changed, but also what has stayed the same and we have the opportunity to walk in someone else’s shoes to understand them and ourselves better.
Kirkwood Oral History
Kirkwood Oral Histories
Find all our recordings on SoundCloud and below.
Interested in doing your own oral history? Check out one of our voice recorders in the Library of Things, and here is a list of questions to get your started.
Listen to Anita’s story and how her parents told her she could do anything she wanted to do, within reason. Buoyed by their support, she overcame discrimination to become the first woman of color police officer to ride patrol in the state of Iowa in the early seventies. The transcript can be found here.
Listen to Frances’ story of moving from New York to London in the the mid 1930’s and later was evacuated into the countryside during the bombing of London in World War II. She became a nurse and later moved to the United States. The transcript can be found here.
Listen to Jose’s story of growing up in Cuba, working in a sugar plant and paying 1,000 pesos to get on a boat and come to the United States. The transcript can be found here.
Listen to Sue’s story of life, love and laughter growing up in Illinois and raising a family The transcript can be found here.
Listen to Martha tell about her history with St. Joseph Hospital and later living at Aberdeen Heights. The transcript can be found here.
