AUDIO

Interview with Eileen Cassidy

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Date

28 Nov 1991

By

Cassidy, Eileen Margaret, 1918-2016

Reference

OHInt-0060/03

Description

Eileen O'Connor was born on 17 August 1916 in Christchurch . Discusses her parent's views on education, the Depression and her job as a shorthand typist. Talks about her faith as an Anglican and then a Catholic by marriage. Discusses politics now and in the 1930s with particular reference to the Labour Party, Communism, fascism and the Spanish Civil War.

Mentions mixed flatting, the 1938 election, the social security system, night classes in education, jobs in the Department of Labour and Employment, the Pensions Department and the Economic Stabilization Commission.

Discusses World War II and New Zealanders going to fight. Talks about rationing, propaganda, the scare of a Japanese invasion, American servicemen, parcels sent by her mother to her brother Edward O'Connor and treatment of foreigners and pacifists. Recalls entertainment for women during the war including Drama Club, the Red Cross, the Ladies Riding Club, the Badminton Club and ballroom dancing classes.

Discusses working for Walter Nash after the war and going to Cuba with the heads of government departments. Discusses Fidel Castro and the Cuban crisis and her perception of Walter Nash. Talks about going on leave to Britain, her job as secretary at the Finance Minister's Conference and transfer to Paris at the end of 1949. Talks about meeting Francis Cassidy in 1951 and their marriage in 1953. Describes getting her Bachelor of Arts degree and subsequent teaching career. Mentions separation from her husband, involvement with the Committee on Vietnam, the anti-apartheid movement and HART and being arrested during the Springbok Tour in 1981.

Describes teaching in Palestine and going to Eritrea.

Venue - Wellington : 1991

Interviewer(s) - Johanna Woods

Venue - Newtown, Wellington

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004681; OHC-004682; OHC-004683

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 822.

Wedding photograph of Eileen Cassidy and husband in 1953

Use/Reproduction

Public use requires the written permission of donor Copyright: Gaylene Preston Productions

Access restrictions

Restricted - Content cannot be accessed without permission - Requires written permission of the donor

Part of

Women in World War II Part I

Format

3 C60 cassette(s), 1 printed abstract(s), 3 Hours Duration, Oral histories, Illustration: Wedding photograph of Eileen Cassidy and husband in 1953, Equipment used: Sony WMD6C recorder

There are 4 items in total.

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