Teddy Johnnie Oral History Interview

Teddy Johnnie describes her experiences as a student at Oregon State College between 1957 and 1958. She explains that her motivation to attend college came from her single mother who instilled the importance of independence upon her and her sister. Her mother was the first woman appraiser of Multnomah County and she expected her children to also pursue their own careers rather to depend on their future husbands for financial stability. Johnnie chose to attend Oregon State University because of the business program’s good reputation.

Johnnie majored in Secretarial Sciences and minored in Home Economics while working part-time at the Memorial Union. During her freshman year she lived in Sackett hall with two roommates and during her sophomore year she lived in her sorority house. Johnnie was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority which she describes as the highlight of her college years.

Johnnie reflects on her experience at Oregon State with fondness. She describes her favorite on-campus traditions and activities, which were an integral part of the student experience. She also recounts rules and regulations placed upon the women students, yet she never felt as though she was treated unfairly at OSU because of her sex. Johnnie left school and got married after completing her sophomore year. She later had children and went on to pursue a career as a secretary.