1940s - 1950s 13-YEAR OLD ALABAMA GIRL DELIGHTFULLY EVOLVING FROM YOUNG GIRL TO EARLY WOMANHOOD ALL THE WHILE WITH THE TERRIBLE BACKDROP OF WORLD WAR II

On offer are 2 interesting 5-year diaries written by a young woman in the southern United States. Spanning 10 year, these diaries offer an insight into the world of this young girl. The diaries measure 5 1/2 inches by 4 inches and 5 3/4 inches by 4 1/2 inches respectively. Each has 365 pages and are 20% and 75% complete. The bindings on both are damaged and the cover on the first diary has become detached. The binding on the second volume has been damaged but the covers are intact. All pages are intact. The handwriting is legible. Bettye Jo Smith was born Nov 9th, 1928. She lived in Birmingham, AL. She begins her diary in 1942 at the age of 13. This diary, which covers only 1942, deals with the events and interests that would matter to a 13 year-old girl. Top of the list would be boys and she mentions several who interest her: Gordon Wilder came home from the Navy today on a 15 day leave Mmmmmmmm [Oct 15, 1942], Gordon called me up this morning it sure did sound good to hear his voice again. My heart went Potatoe Tomatoe Potatoe! [Oct 17, 1942] ... Today is my 14th birthday ... I cried myself to sleep last night and woke up crying this morning because Gordon left. It sounds silly but it wasn't to me. [Nov 9, 1942]. The second diary picks up in January, 1948 when she is 20 years old. Being single and unmarried is very much on her mind. She begins the new year in 1951 with: Here I am starting another year as a 'Miss' instead of 'Mrs' Oh well. I'll just keep trying. That's all I can do. ... [Jan 1, 1951]. And try she does as many entries attest. There is a letter attached about how much she loves 'Howard' dated Jan 17, 1948. But 2 years later, on Jan 21st, she meets Arlin Rye for the first time. Over the next two years her entries are full of references to him and a note slipped in between some pages shows that she and Arlin were later married. Entries throughout this volume are replete with references to friends and family and social events, especially church. She is working but never specifies her job. The fact that she celebrates paydays only suggests that her job was merely a placeholder until she was married. From references to her friends, it is obvious that she is not the only one who feels this way. These two diaries would be of great interest to a social historian or a Women's Studies researcher. They very clearly illustrate an important aspect of the social life of young women in mid-20th century America.; Manuscript; 24mo - over 5" - 5¾" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, THE UNITED STATES, ALABAMA, AMERICAN SOUTH, DEEP SOUTH, POST DEPRESSION, DIXIE, SOUTHERN STATES, JEFFERSON COUNTY, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 1940S, 1950S, WARTIME PERIOD, POSTWAR PERIOD, YOUTHS, YOUNG PEOPLE, WOMEN IN 1950S, BETTYE JO SMITH; ARLIN RYE; WOMEN'S STUDIES, SOCIAL STUDIES, AMERICANA, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, DIARY, DIARIES, JOURNALS, PERSONAL HISTORY, SOCIAL HISTORY, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, ANTIQUITÉ, CONTRAT, VÉLIN, DOCUMENT, MANUSCRIT, PAPIER ANTIKE, BRIEF, PERGAMENT, DOKUMENT, MANUSKRIPT, PAPIER OGGETTO D'ANTIQUARIATO, ATTO, VELINA, DOCUMENTO, MANOSCRITTO, CARTA ANTIGÜEDAD, HECHO, VITELA, DOCUMENTO, MANUSCRITO, PAPEL