Shirley's Graduation picture-1944

I graduated from Everett High School in June of 1944. I was only 17. It was right during World War 2 so jobs were very easy to get. All the businesses were run by women and old men, as all the other men were in the service. In those days the men were drafted into the service. I went to work for the Everett Daily Herald in July and I didn't turn 18 until October. I was personal secretary to the Business Manager. Also took dictation from the Publisher when his secretary was gone. I worked in the Classified Ad Dept. Ran up and down the stairs to the press room, answered the phone as well as taking ads. My boss was very particular. We could not make errors in typing and also were not supposed to waste paper. I learned from the other girls, if you made a mistake just put the paper in your purse, not the waste basket because, my boss, Mr. Jeklin checked all the baskets near closing time. I took shorthand at 120 minutes and typed 80 words a minute which was good on manual typewriters but that is not why I got the job. I got the job because I had short nails. He said the previous girl had long nails and spent too much time on her nails. When I went in to be interviewed, the front office was filled with girls trying for the job. I just couldn't believe I got the job at my age and with no previous experience. I did have a little experience in High School. Whenever the Superintendent needed to have someone for dictation either Mary Lou Frazer or I got to go. We were the two top students in our class. Also, I learned to run the Switchboard. I filled in for the Switchboard Operator during her lunch and other breaks. I believe we had 8 trunk lines coming in. I disconnected people sometimes when I was learning. It is very hard when you have so many calls coming in. In those days you still had to dial the Operator to call out. Little did I know at the carefree time in my life what was ahead. I did have my heart set on getting married. Most girls wanted the "house with the white picket fence and a boy and a girl". Well, I never did get the white picket fence and I went a little past 2 children. I have had hard times but all in all I have had a great life and I dearly love all my children. Mentioning children. I told Diane Evans, my oldest daughter, about my Blog. She was very impressed and said it was wonderful. She wanted to know if she should apologize about the frogs. Being one of the oldest, she just thought it was great chasing me with frogs. Mothers love their children unconditionally, no matter what.