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Red Cross Service Club diary-style reports, 1943

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 4

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The Margaret McLeod papers consist of correspondence, brochures, photographs, certificates, reports, newspaper clippings, and ephemera created and collected by McLeod during her employment with the American National Red Cross's Club Service during World War II. The materials provide a vivid portrait of life for Club Service workers, documenting not only the achievements of the group's Clubmobiles and clubs in England, France and Germany, but also the personal frustrations and triumphs of the women who ran them.

McLeod's collection of correspondence begins during her pre-deployment and continues until after her return to Oregon. Most correspondence was written by McLeod and addressed to her sister, Olive McLeod, or her mother; however, a small assortment of letters from friends and former coworkers are included. Additionally, the collection contains three unidentified letters written in German. Although many of the letters deal with routine aspects of McLeod's wartime life such as her uniform, financial accounting, and requests for supplies, a handful are personal; examples include a postcard from a friend who was a German prisoner of war and letters in which McLeod declares her sentiments about the war, expresses the gaiety of the recreation provided by the Red Cross Club, and recounts her struggles with her coworkers.

Other material in the collection includes reports written by McLeod to describe the activities of her Red Cross Clubmobile and Club and a certificate she received for her service with the group. The collection additionally includes a scrapbook compiled by McLeod containing correspondence, photographs, newspaper clippings, tickets, programs, newsletters, and assorted artifacts. The scrapbook features several items of note, such as lyrics to songs sung by Red Cross workers during their ocean voyage to Europe, photographs of Red Cross Clubmobiles and Clubs, and a Red Cross Club brochure.

Dates

  • Creation: 1943

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 0.5 Cubic Feet (1 document case and 1 flat box)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

From the Collection: German

Repository Details

Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository

Contact:
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240