Clifton, Beatrice Morales (audio interview #2 of 2)

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Clifton, Beatrice Morales (audio interview #2 of 2)

Morales Clifton, Beatrice (b. 4/29/1915 - d. 12/4/1988); Berger Gluck, Sherna, interviewer

URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/218902

Date: 2021-04-01

Abstract:

INTERVIEW DESCRIPTION - Because it took a while for her to warm up, it seemed better to record a long, second and final interview with Clifton rather than the usual three. When we first began, she held back, apparently feeling somewhat chastised by my off-handed comment that there were some questions that I had not had the chance to ask her in the first interview. It didn't take long, however, to warm to the interview, and once again she rushed forward. 1/30/1981

Description:

SUBJECT BIO - When Beatrice Morales Clifton went to work at Lockheed in 1942, her life was forever changed. She had never worked outside the home before, and in fact going to Lockheed was practically the first time she had gone anywhere on her own. Born in Marfa, Texas, the last of three children, Clifton's family moved to San Bernardino, California when was still an infant. While still in high school, at the age of fifteen, she married a man twelve years her senior. By the time she left him at age eighteen or nineteen, she was already the mother of two. She had two more children with her second husband, whom she married in 1935. Although her second husband was a "good husband," he was very traditional and strongly objected to his wife taking a defense job. Although she initially defied him, she returned home when one of her children became sick. Not satisfied with her old way of life, she tried several jobs after the war and in 1951 returned to Lockheed Aircraft. Shortly afterwards, she divorced her second husband, and subsequently was married two more times, to men who worked at Lockheed. She continued working at Lockheed until her retirement in 1978, working her way up the pay scale. Clifton, a warm and exuberant woman, was an eager participant - almost as though she had just been waiting for someone to whom she could tell her story. Although she was open and communicative, it took her time to "warm up" to the interview. As a result, I decided to interview her in two longer sessions rather than the usual three. Once she did warm up, the words came rushing forth. All the interviews were conducted sitting at her dining room table in her modest home in a semi-rural neighborhood of Sylmar, which she shared with a companion and a dog. Her house was filled with her handiwork, including embroideries and ceramics. Her backyard, which was filled with flowers, was divided into a space for a large Winnebago and boat and a fenced area where she kept chickens and goats. TOPICS - economic status; husband; marital relationship; children; childcare; racism; Mexican gangs; earnings; and unionism;children; husband; marital relationship; friends; social activities; defense work at Lockheed; work force demographics; working conditions; breaks; wages; and job responsibilities;defense work; patriotism; WWII; social activities; friends; domestic responsibilities; family life; husband; children; family history; working conditions; co-workers; job responsibilities; and unionism;family history; family life; children; husbands; marital relationships; social activities; work; defense work; and earnings;dating; husbands; marital relationships; social activities; children; defense work; job responsibilities; job promotions; working conditions; wages; job training; and retirement;retirement; life review; self-concept; attitudes towards feminism , the women's liberation movement, and abortion; gender roles; domestic partnership; social activities; and children;

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