Oral history interview with Irene Parsons
Primary tabs
Item description
Primarily documents Irene Adelaide Parsons' service in the U.S. Coast Guard SPARS from 1943 to 1946, and her thirty years of service with the Veterans Administration. Parsons discusses her education at Brevard College and Woman's College, both in North Carolina. Topics from Woman's College (now UNCG) include: working at home and at school to pay her tuition; her friendship with Kathleen Hawkins; expectations of students; leisure activities; the Alumnae House; and her student teaching. She also shares her experience meeting Art Buchwald at UNCG in 1967 and recruiting from UNCG for the Veterans Administration (VA) in the late 1940s and 1950s. " Parsons recalls the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, the rush of people enlisting in the military, her 1941-1942 teaching job, and her experience and duties working as a recruiter with the Civil Service Commission in 1942-1943. Parsons then gives her reasons for enlisting in the SPARs, including the promise of gold braids on officers' uniforms, and talks about being the first class to attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Topics from this time include: a USO visit from Carmen Miranda and Bob Hope; learning technical terms and the history of the Coast Guard; white-glove inspections; physical training; and leisure activities. " Parsons shares details from her time working at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. from 1943 to 1946, including: the atmosphere of the city; housing and transportation; and working in personnel. She discusses her reasons for staying at headquarters for the duration of her service, and the interactions between servicemen and women. Parsons also describes the state of the country during WWII and shares her opinions on Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, including a personal encounter with the first lady. Other topics include: attending presidential balls; V-E Day celebrations; and the death of her nephew in Romania. " Parsons also discusses at length her career at the VA following her discharge from the SPARS. She shares details of her experience recruiting personnel at high school and colleges, hiring the first female assistant director, and later creating a pay grade system for VA nurses. Parsons also describes being appointed assistant administrator and director of personnel of the VA by President Lyndon B. Johnson, including a surprise press conference and personal meeting.Other topics include President Richard Nixon and Watergate. " Topics from Parson's post-retirement life include living in Washington, D.C., and Gardner's Bay, New York; working as a management consultant; and awards she has received.
Part of
Questions about this item?
Need more information? Need permission to re-use or re-publish the item?
Please email the Women Veterans Historical Project.