Laurie Dwire Oral History Interview

Interviewee: Laurie Dwire
Interviewer: Ezmie Trevarrow
Interview Date: February 8, 2018
Location: Valley Library, Oregon State University
Duration: 1:30:04
 

Dwire talks extensively about her childhood and her parents’ alcohol addiction. She explains how much of her childhood was spent taking care of her younger siblings in a disorganized--and often chaotic--house. Dwire also recalls how the Irish Catholic Church failed to support her parents with their alcoholism, though it was such a big part of her family’s life. Dwire discusses her college experience of studying dramatic arts while working in food services and sometimes taking care of younger siblings. She also shares her experiences working as a manager in food service and how it took her to the University of Hawaii and later the University of Hawaii, Hilo. She then discusses her move back to the mainland and how she ended up living in Corvallis. Dwire also describes her current non-traditional family in depth. She explains how after her childhood, Dwire never considered having children and as a result, did not get married until she was in her fifties.

Dwire then discusses her career at OSU as the Dining Operations Manager at Marketplace West. Her daily responsibilities and support she receives from her college are mentioned. She illustrates her interests outside of work, which include theater and politics. Dwire then shares her general experiences as a woman in the food industry as well as her personal experiences with harassment and discrimination. She finally covers her personal battles with addiction and how she was able to overcome them.

Dublin Core

Title

Laurie Dwire Oral History Interview

Description

Dwire talks extensively about her childhood and her parents’ alcohol addiction. She explains how much of her childhood was spent taking care of her younger siblings in a disorganized--and often chaotic--house. Dwire also recalls how the Irish Catholic Church failed to support her parents with their alcoholism, though it was such a big part of her family’s life. Dwire discusses her college experience of studying dramatic arts while working in food services and sometimes taking care of younger siblings. She also shares her experiences working as a manager in food service and how it took her to the University of Hawaii and later the University of Hawaii, Hilo. She then discusses her move back to the mainland and how she ended up living in Corvallis. Dwire also describes her current non-traditional family in depth. She explains how after her childhood, Dwire never considered having children and as a result, did not get married until she was in her fifties.

Dwire then discusses her career at OSU as the Dining Operations Manager at Marketplace West. Her daily responsibilities and support she receives from her college are mentioned. She illustrates her interests outside of work, which include theater and politics. Dwire then shares her general experiences as a woman in the food industry as well as her personal experiences with harassment and discrimination. She finally covers her personal battles with addiction and how she was able to overcome them.

Creator

Laurie Dwire

Source

Voices of Oregon State University Oral History Collection (OH 09)

Publisher

Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Oregon State University Libraries

Date

February 8, 2018

Contributor

Ezmie Trevarrow

Format

Born Digital

Language

English

Type

Oral History

Identifier

oh09-dwire-laurie-20180208

Oral History Item Type Metadata

Interviewer

Ezmie Trevarrow

Interviewee

Laurie Dwire

Location

Valley Library, Oregon State University

Original Format

Born Digital

Duration

1:30:04

OHMS Object

Interview Format

video