Transcript of oral history interview with Helena Hanson
Description:
Oral history interview of Helena Hanson conducted by unnamed interviewer. Helena discusses how her family experienced the Great Depression and the ways it impacted her childhood. Helena goes on to discuss her involvement with social work and the evolution of support services available to the community. She reflects on pivotal moments in her childhood, such as the ending of World War I and her initial experiences with radio technology. Helena describes her relationships with her parents and brother. She describes her educational career and social life as an adolescent, recounting the various activities and organizations in which she participated. She also mentions the local political rallies and the political participation among local residents during her lifetime. Helena gives her opinion on the dynamics of the neighborhood, its population demographics compared to the demographics at the time of the interview, and its general atmosphere. She concludes by describing how her family spent the summers and their preferred modes of transportation. Other topics mentioned include food insecurity, Boston Providence Society, Family Service Association, St. Vincent de Paul Church, South Boston Samaritans Society, Phillips Church, wholesale shopping, Armistice Day, Saint Patrick’s Day, Girl Scouts, theater parties, Christian youth groups, law school, World War I, Gaston School, Saint Patrick’s Day, James Michael Curley, Flood Square, Turken Square, Andrews Square, Samuel Howe School, ‘My Wild Irish Rose’, brown bread, baking, a Weymouth river, World War II, Bradley Fertilizer Company, American Agricultural Chemical, South Boston beaches, Cedar Hill, Catholicism, Ford Car Company, horses and carriages, Squantum
