I think women were not necessarily the backbone, but they certainly probably contributed far more of the sustaining power, meaning they were there to provide the food, they were there to kind of be the extra protector. They might not have been actually demonstrating, but you found as many women around that drugstore, around the theater, just to be eyewitnesses if something happened to their kids, or to their neighbor's kids.
Eva Clayton Connected to the Carolinas
Source
Oral history interview with Kathryn Nasstrom, July 18, 1989, Southern Oral History Program (Interview C-0084), UNC-Chapel Hill
- form
- interview
- work
- Oral history interview, Southern Oral History Program
- year
- 1989
Cite this record
“I think women were not necessarily the backbone, but they ce…” Eva Clayton. Carolina Quotes, record CQ-0EC20D82F9. https://carolinaquotes.com/quote/0ec20d82f9
More from Eva Clayton
But it's an area that needs to be done, and I think it's an area that gives tremendous rewards, because you can see it, you can see it. When that school is built I will see it, when that courthouse is, I will see it. Also, when they don't pick up the trash, I'll see that, and plus everyone knows my telephone number. You get the complaints immediately, but you also get the benefits, I think.
I learned an awful lot in that process. I think I learned how important symbols were to people.
My mother was understanding but very demanding, high standards, workaholic, A-type, and probably, if [she] ever had the education, could have been anything in the world she wanted to be. And never doubted for a moment her abilities.