In 1941 Ann and husband Ray Hayden moved from Illinois to Seattle, Washington to work in the Boeing defense plant. Ray immediately secured a job, and Ann decided to pursue work shortly thereafter. Purchasing overalls and a bandana, she went to work holding the "bar" in the galley of an aircraft while the riveter set the rivets into the hull. Ann and Ray continued to work for Boeing for three years before moving back to Illinois and opening a Gambles General Store in Petersburg, Illinois in 1945.
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Abstract
Interview (Audio)
A riveter in a Boeing Aircraft plant in Seattle Washington during WW II
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Picture Captions
Detailed descriptions of the pictures listed below
Photos
Caption
Ann Hayden enjoys a bit of fishing at the Illinois River, circa 1940.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1940
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Ann Hayden relaxes in front of her trailer near the Boeing Plant near Seattle, Washington in 1943.
Where:
Seattle, Washington
When:
1943
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Ann and Ray Hayden in 1945.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1945
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
A photo of Ann Hayden appeared in the Seattle Post Intelligencer on July 31, 1944, which prompted several lonely servicemen to write to her.
Where:
Unknown
When:
July 31, 1944
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator
Caption
A letter Ann wrote to her brother, P.F.C. David L. Secrist, came back unopened, with “RETURN TO WRITER” stamp in the middle of the envelope, and the hand written message confirming David’s death in the bottom left hand corner of the envelope
Where:
Unknown
When:
May of 1944
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
One of several responses Ann received from lonely G.I. who had seen her photo in the Seattle Post Intelligencer.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Another letter from a sailor who was inspired to write to Ann after seeing her picture in the Seattle Post Intelligencer. See also the next photo, the enclosed application.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
This “Application for a date with a Navy Man” was included with the preceding letter.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Ann received this lengthy letter from a sailor temporarily stationed at Quillayute, Washington in September, 1944.
Where:
Unknown
When:
September, 1944
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Second page of a sailor’s letter to Ann.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Third, and final page of a sailor’s letter to Ann.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo