Maryelln Powers Laskowski Collection

Details

Who's responsible?: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries (Repository)
How much has been digitized?: Only a part of this collection has been digitized.
What's in the full collection?: 1 February 2002 oral history transcript; photograph of Mary in Marine uniform, circa 1954; portrait photograph of Mary in a black top printed with in Beaufort SC, dated 1952; Passport application copy.
Full biography: Mary Powers Laskowski (b. 1923) of Miami, Florida, served in the Women Marines from 1952 to 1954. Mary Powers Laskowski was born in November 1923 in Canada and was primarily raised in Miami, Florida, where her family tended a citrus farm. Laskowski graduated from Miami Edison Senior High School in 1941. She worked in filing for American Title Insurance Company until she joined the Marines. Laskowski enlisted in the Women Marines in summer 1952, and completed basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina. She was then assigned to the women's clothing office at the base, where she fitted incoming Women Marines for uniforms. In 1954, she was discharged from the Marines following her marriage to fellow Marine Herbert Laskowski. After leaving the Women Marines, Laskowski followed her husband's assignments with the Marines. The couple lived at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Seaford, Virginia; and Jacksonville, Florida. They returned to Camp Lejeune in 1974, where Laskowski ran a book exchange out of her home.
Topics: Women's History
Military
Branch of service: Marines -- Women Marines
Conflict: Post World War II, Korea (1947-1963)
Subject headings: Korean War, 1950-1953
United States. Marine Corps--Women
Contributing Institution: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries

: Oral history interview with Mary Powers Laskowski; Primarily discusses Mary Powers Laskowski's early life and career in the Women Marine Laskowski begins the interview with the story of her birth, then discusses working on a citrus farm and the effects of the Depression. She also shares her memories of the attack on Pearl Harbor and mentions her volunteer work during WWII. " Laskowski describes her enlistment in the Women Marines and details of her basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, including the barracks, duties, fellow Women Marines, female drill instructors, and serving in an integrated unit. Topics stemming from her work in the women's clothing office at the base include: facilities, the work week, and inspections. She also discusses meeting her husband, marrying without permission, attempting to hide the marriage from her commanding officer, and having to be discharged. " Discussion about her life after her service includes: moving to various cities; wishing she had been allowed to stay in the service; women's role in the military; running a book exchange; and the Women Marines Association.

In collections

Women Veterans Historical Project

Maryelln Powers Laskowski Collection

In collections

Navigate

Sort your results

Narrow your results

Item type

Topics

Decade

Veteran conflict/era

Veteran service branch

In collection

Contributed by