Elder Women Oral History Project oral histories

Rebecca Winborn was motivated by a desire to incorporate elder women into a "working, living archive" of their generational experiences. She opted to interview women over the age of 80, many of whom were her friends'mothers, members of her church, or in her own family. These interviews took place in 1-2 hour installments over the course of roughly one year per participant. The audio recordings were preserved alongside images of the elder women and typed transcripts. Interviewees are primarily white, middle class, and scattered across the American Northeast, Midwest and Northwest. Topics and historical events include the Great Depression, World War II, health and disability, experiences of aging, retirement, the Unitarian Church, religion generally, addiction, motherhood, and family.

"I was about to turn 60 when I originally conceived of this project. There was something about moving into the last third of my life, if I follow in my paternal grandmother's footsteps and live into my 90's, that drew me toward the elders in my life, curious to listen to their stories, to learn from their experiences. I was particularly interested in listening for themes of resilience and to learn where they each found sources of sustenance to help them get through the hardest times. Thirty years ago, in my early 30's contemplating starting a family, I did a similar piece of research for my MSW thesis at Smith, interviewing first time parents to learn how they negotiated their new roles and how the reality differed from their expectations. These two bookend projects were undertaken to help me prepare for the new developmental challenges awaiting me. I did go on and have a family. My twin sons are now in their early thirties and on the cusp of starting families of their own. With the possibility of becoming a grandparent out there on the not too distant horizon, I have a vastly enriched appreciation for the value of loved ones nearby to help sustain the quality of life for all generations. As an Army brat, I did not grow up near extended family. And as an adult child, I did not live near my parents and do not live near my siblings. There were sound reasons for these choices but I have a deepening understanding of what possibilities might have been lost. I have the great pleasure of living with all the voices of these thirteen women firmly stored in my memory. They offer wonderful company and advice whenever I tap into the reservoir of their life stories bestowed to me for safe-keeping."