Work

Wilma Sanchez was born in Puerto Rico where she lived with her father’s family until the age of six. At that time she began living with her mother and she describes episodes of neglect and sexual abuse. In this interview Wilma explains how she began using drugs, became involved with men who sold drugs, had two sons, was diagnosed HIV positive, and had a relationship with a female friend. Eventually her drug habit led her to prostitution and a jail sentence. Wilma entered a drug treatment program and overcame her drug habit.

Carrie Johnson grew up in Natick and Framingham. Her father worked in a hat factory and her mother cleaned houses. She married after graduating high school but moved to California after divorce. She went to college and became a public relations person for a community gangs program. In the interview she discusses her involvement with drugs, her sons, her job as a one of the first African-American reporters for the Metro West Daily News,  then being hired by the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, and her cleaning company.

Carrie Johnson grew up in Natick and Framingham. Her father worked in a hat factory and her mother cleaned houses. She married after graduating high school but moved to California after divorce. She went to college and became a public relations person for a community gangs program. In the interview she discusses her involvement with drugs, her sons, her job as a one of the first African-American reporters for the Metro West Daily News,  then being hired by the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, and her cleaning company.

May O. White was born July 8, 1908 in Oxford, Massachusetts. She is a descendant of  the Pilgrims who came from England on the Mayflower and settled initially in Salem, MA, and later to establish Oxford. She is proud of her family history and historical value of the houses they built in the 19th century. Being a member of the Historical Commission in Oxford, she is helping to establish a Historic District, which designation would preserve these homes. May and her family worked in Worcester, taking advantage of the railroad connection.

Ann R. Witkes was born in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1914 and attended Ash St. Elementary School and Commerce High School in Worcester. Ann spent all her life in Worcester, except for the last 20 years in Florida. She returned to Worcester as a widow, to the Eisenberg Assisted Living Residence a few years ago, to be close to her family. Ann worked as a hairdresser until she retired. She began at her father’s barber shop in Worcester.

Laura Caswell was born in White Plains, New York in 1961 to a Roman Catholic family of Irish and Italian descent. Upon finishing her first year of college at Rutgers University, she learned she was pregnant and made the decision to abandon her studies and marry her boyfriend at the age of 19. Laura and her husband had three sons. At the age of 37, Laura and her husband divorced and she began working as a computer programmer. She is currently employed at the Information Technology center at Worcester State University in Worcester, Massachusetts as a computer programmer.

Catherine Rajwani was born in Worcester in 1973.  She attended Notre Dame and Columbia University and then law school. She and her husband currently work as lawyers in her mother’s law firm. In this oral history she discusses her parents and siblings, living in different parts of the country, and her travels outside the country. She explains her view on the importance of work-life balance and also her volunteer work with the Salvation Army and in a soup kitchen.

Mary Brunelle was born in Franklin, Massachusetts in 1988. She moved to Worcester in 2000 to attend Assumption College and is currently still living in Worcester. Before moving to Worcester, she felt as though she was already familiar with the city since many of her family members, including her mom grew up in Worcester. In this interview, Mary discusses the strong impact of education. She originally attended Saint Joseph College in Connecticut, but later transferred to Assumption College as a junior.

Kathleen O’Connor was born in the Elm Park area of Worcester in 1950, and has lived in Worcester for most of her life. Kathleen discusses her life and memories of growing up in Worcester. She describes how the city has changed over her life, including the closing and opening of stores, facilities, etc., as well as the future plans for the city, what she thinks of it, and what she recommends for the city. Kathleen explains her experience in education, describes how the educational system has changed from what it was, and how it has become more friendly towards women.

This interview focuses on the life of Audrey Silveri, a retired nurse and educator. Born in New York and raised in Massachusetts, Audrey has lived in the Northeast for her entire life. She attended the State University of New York, University of Virginia for graduate work, Assumption College for a BSN, Boston College for a MSN, and the University of Massachusetts/Amherst for her doctorate. Audrey met her husband while working at the Library of Congress and they were engaged after three months. They moved to Worcester in 1963 and raised three children.