Mary Olson

Author

Julie M. Luker, Concordia University, St. PaulFollow

Files

Interviewee

Mary Olson

Interviewer

Cole Steinberg

Transcriber

Landmark Associates

Generation

Baby Boom Generation (1946-1964)

Neighborhood

Macalester-Groveland

Document Type

Oral History

Date of Interview

6-28-2022

Keywords

Macalester-Groveland, Saint Paul, 1957

Disciplines

Oral History | Psychology

Abstract

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Mary Olson is a Caucasian female born on May 26, 1957. She is one of five children. Her father was an artist but worked at the depot as well. She grew up Catholic. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Olson begins by describing what her family looked like, and how she was close to all of her family members - as well as mentioning the pets that she had. She describes her family's economic status, explaining how her mother was able to stretch the dollar to the limit, and how they didn't have an extravagant childhood, but they still had everything they needed. She briefly discusses her religious upbringing, and how religion wasn't really forced on her or her siblings. Olson goes on to describe what her neighborhood looked like, and how there are a lot of kids around, and how it didn't feel unsafe. She talks about how the best part of growing up in her neighborhood was the security of knowing her neighbors, and how there was a nice variety of ages in the community. She mentions the value of certain expectations of children, as well as respect. Afterwards, she touches on the activities that were done for leisure time, such as going to a cabin and visiting museums. She mentions that schooling was a favorable experience for her. Olson briefly discusses how because her mother was Italian, she was able to grow up with a bigger cultural variety of meals. She ends the interview by describing the local issues affecting the neighborhood, mostly talking about desegregation, being against the war in Vietnam, involvement with health concerning vaccines and health checkups, as well as practicing drills, and Kennedy's death.

Copyright

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced without the written permission of Concordia University Library or Julie Luker, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, St. Paul.

Recommended Citation

Luker, Julie M., "Mary Olson" (2022). Saint Paul and Surrounding Area. 28.
https://digitalcommons.csp.edu/tc-ohp_interviews_stp/28