Cecile Brodeur was born and raised in Lewiston, she speaks about growing up in a big family and having to work in the mills with her 11 siblings at 18 in order to support the family. She worked in the card room at the Bates Mill, and she talks about her experience...
Bernadette Cloutier worked in the Production Department of the Bates Mill, her job was to decide the color of the spread and to change the colors on the looms. She shares how she got started, in the finishing room and then operating the switchboard. Cloutier describes...
Ray and Rita Thibault worked various jobs in the shoe mills. Ray discusses his job as a pattern maker and Rita talks about her childhood and work as well. Both speak positively of the shoe industry.
Dorthy Charpentier was a repairer at two different shoe factories during her career after she had to drop out of school to work. She discusses her job, working at the mill, and modeling shoes. She also discusses her family’s jobs at the mills, including her...
Blanche talks about the jobs her family held after moving to Lewiston, primarily in the mills. She discusses how she started in the Androscoggin Mill, and the jobs she had before eventually retiring. Blanche also shares some of the social activities she and her...
