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Betty Boller oral history

 Collection — Folder: 1
Identifier: IWA0290

Scope and Contents

The oral history interview with Betty Boller was recorded on November 14, 1999 by Ashley Kuehl in Urbandale, Iowa. There is one audiocassette and a 13-page transcript of the interview.

Dates

  • Creation: 1999

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The oral hiorioral history and transcript are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to the University of Iowa.

However, copyright status for some collection materials may be unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility and potential liability based on copyright infringement for any use rests exclusively and solely with the user. Users must properly acknowledge the Iowa Women’s Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, as the source of the material. For further information, visit https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/services/rights/

Biographical / Historical

Betty Boller was born in 1924 and grew up in East Des Moines. Her father died during the Great Depression when she was young, so money was tight in the household. She, her mother, and her brothers all held jobs during this time. She did not ever consider college, but she found work soon after finishing high school in 1942. In 1943 she married Don Boller, a high school classmate.

In the interview, Betty Boller discusses the economics of dating when money was very scarce. She describes the secretarial work she did and compares it with the variety of jobs women could find during the war, such as welding jobs. Upon war's end the men retrieved such jobs. Boller describes her marriage to Don Boller, with whom she had two children. Don Boller worked out of the home, while Betty Boller stayed home to raise the children. She provided leadership for many Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.

When asked if she regretted anything, Boller stated that she wishes she had spent time in the work force, had gained more education, and had studied music. She envies today's young women for the opportunities they have to become self-supporting. Boller instilled the values of a strong work ethic, honesty, religious belief, and citizenship with her children. Her main advice to today's children is to get a good education.

Extent

0.25 linear inches

1 Cassettes (1 audiocassette [AC 502])

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Des Moines wife and mother who worked as a secretary during World War II.

Arrangement

One folder, shelved in SCVF.

Method of Acquisition

The papers (donor no.691) were donated by Ashley Kuehl in 1999.

Author
Margaret Richardson, 2000, revised by Janet Weaver 2003. [BollerBetty.doc]
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Repository Details

Part of the Iowa Women's Archives Repository

Contact:
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5068
319-335-5900 (Fax)