1933 - 1961 ORIGINAL GROUP OF FOUR [4] ORIGINAL 5-YR DIARIES HANDWRITTEN BY A TEENAGE TO MIDDLE AGE MARYLAND WOMAN

On offer is a super collection of original manuscript diaries spanning 35 years handwritten by a Baltimore Maryland woman who over four [4] five-year diaries provides a fascinating, well detailed description of this all-American girl's evolution from teenager and student to young married woman and new mother through to middle aged matron. The diaries belong to Dorothea H. Ensor. She was born in 1915 and passed away in 2004. The diaries begin when Ensor is 16 years old. This first volume covers the balance of her teenage years up until she was 21. The entries are fill of the events and coming and goings of a typical teenager:. I am scared. [Feb 11, 1932] Dr. Robertson of Goucher talked at assembly. We had a terrible Math test. I went to writers Club Miss Harrison has it now. She's so much better than Miss Ditty .... [Mar 1, 1933] From context, it appears that after high school graduation, she attended Groucher College. Groucher College today is a well-recognized post-secondary institution included on the list of U.S. colleges and universities that produced the most 2017-2018 Fulbright U.S. Students. Played basketball with Lawrence in the garage. I haven't done any lessons yet. I'll have to get busy. I washed my hair today. I'm still very injured about that history paper [Apr 8, 1933] She notes the 1933 major earthquake that struck Log Branch CA, killing over 100 people: There was a big earthquake in Los Angeles. Frank sent us a telegram that they are all right ... [Mar 12, 1932] Her entries in the following years at Groucher College contain comments about classes and activities I worked on one drawing all morning. Its terrible. Martha says she is going to ask lots of questions when I give my report. She makes me mad. I brought all my papers home. [Apr 29, 1936] The second diary takes her through the war years of WWII. In the intervening 5 years she has gotten married. Repeated references to the war show up: Air planes raided Japan yesterday ... [Apr 119, 1942] A reference to the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo I went to get my sugar ration books. Only took 15 minutes. They took out only one stamp. In 1st aid class we had transportation of victims and more artificial respiration ... [May 6, 1942] Today is D-Day! The Allies invaded Normandy in France. They are advancing according to plans. I worked at hospital on 3S. Exciting radio all evening. The President prayed. [June 6, 1944] Truman announced at 7:00 P.M. that Japan had surrendered unconditionally ... Aug 14, 1945] Entries show her working, keeping her home and maintaining a life during the war. Her husband was never enrolled apparently in the armed forces, working instead in civilian production. The third diary covers the years 1952 through 1956 when she is age 36-41. It is very much concerned with domestic matters and her social life: Went to the 20th Reunion Lunch of Western - 1933 at park Plaza and helped collect money. 180 came. Fun. Ris and I went to tea dance at Mt. Wash. Club and then to a tripoli party at the Andersons.Mrs. Cole sent the Civic League money. [May 24, 1953] Worked around house preparing for dinner and went out to store a little while. Had Goldman's to dinner - roast beef cantaloupe & ice cream. Played records. The fourth diary covers the time period of 1962 until 1966,when she is 46 to 51 years old. It concerns again mostly domestic and social activities. In the intervening 5 years, it appears that she has had a daughter, Ruth. I got a permanent while Ris stayed with Ruth. Ris and I went to the Baltimore Symphony Pops concert. And to Yorkshire to dinner. Mrs. Moore stayed with Ruth. [Mar 10, 1962] I washed clothes and worked here. Ruth went to orthodontist and came home with Ris. I went to College Club for a Citizens Grp and introduced Hugh Monaghan who spoke on Wills & Estates [Nov 2, 1965] This is an outstanding group of diaries. It offers an unparalleled longitudinal study of the role of women in mid-century America. Over a 35 year period, it chronicles the life and times of an American woman as she grows up, goes to college, gets married and raises her family in mid-20th century America. For a researcher into women's studies, it is a goldmine of information. A social historian will see the changing of American life directly through this woman's eyes as the years slide by.; Manuscript; 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, DOROTHEA H. 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