Oral History Program Helga Davies Interviewed by Sarah Taylor 20 August 2019 Oral History Program Weber State University Stewart Library Ogden, Utah Helga Davies Interviewed by Sarah Taylor 20 August 2019 Copyright © 2023 by Weber State University, Stewart Library Mission Statement The Oral History Program of the Stewart Library was created to preserve the institutional history of Weber State University and the Davis, Ogden and Weber County communities. By conducting carefully researched, recorded, and transcribed interviews, the Oral History Program creates archival oral histories intended for the widest possible use. Interviews are conducted with the goal of eliciting from each participant a full and accurate account of events. The interviews are transcribed, edited for accuracy and clarity, and reviewed by the interviewees (as available), who are encouraged to augment or correct their spoken words. The reviewed and corrected transcripts are indexed, printed, and bound with photographs and illustrative materials as available. The working files, original recording, and archival copies are housed in the University Archives. Project Description The Women 2020 Project was initiated to examine the impact women have had on northern Utah. Weber State University explored and documented women past and present who have influenced the history of the community, the development of education, and are bringing the area forward for the next generation. The project looked at how the 19th Amendment gave women a voice and representation, and was the catalyst for the way women became involved in the progress of the local area. The project examines the 50 years (1870-1920) before the amendment, the decades to follow and how women are making history today. ____________________________________ Oral history is a method of collecting historical information through recorded interviews between a narrator with firsthand knowledge of historically significant events and a well-informed interviewer, with the goal of preserving substantive additions to the historical record. Because it is primary material, oral history is not intended to present the final, verified, or complete narrative of events. It is a spoken account. It reflects personal opinion offered by the interviewee in response to questioning, and as such it is partisan, deeply involved, and irreplaceable. ____________________________________ Rights Management This work is the property of the Weber State University, Stewart Library Oral History Program. It may be used freely by individuals for research, teaching and personal use as long as this statement of availability is included in the text. It is recommended that this oral history be cited as follows: Davies, Helga, an oral history by Sarah Taylor, 20 August 2019, WSU Stewart Library Oral History Program, University Archives, Stewart Library, Weber State University, Ogden, UT. iii Helga Davies with her children at her graduation from Weber State University 1972 Helga Davies walking for her diploma with her daughter 1972 Golden Spike Dog Obedience Graduates waiting for their Graduation Certificates at the duck pond circa 1985 Helga Davies 20 August 2019 Abstract: The following is an oral history interview with Helga Davies, conducted on August 20, 2019 at Weber State University, by Sarah Taylor. Helga discusses her life, her memories of Weber State University, and the impact of the 19th Amendment. Michael Thompson, the video technician, is also present during this interview. ST: This is an oral history interview with Helga Davies. It is being conducted at 1:18 p.m. on Tuesday August 20, 2019. The interviewer is Sarah Taylor and the subject of the interview is Helga’s time as a student at Weber State University. Also present is Michael Thompson, and thank you for agreeing to meet with us. HD: Thank you, I’m happy to be here. ST: Great. My first question is when and where were you born? HD: I was born in Germany in 1945 about 4 months before the end of WWII. My home town is Hamburg, Germany. ST: Could you tell us some of your early life there? HD: When you grow up as a child, you form your first impressions of your surroundings in your neighborhood. In first and second grade I had to walk for thirty minutes to elementary school. Childhood friends lived in a house in our neighborhood that was bombed and repaired. We children referred to it as the “half house.” I also remember many train stations in Hamburg and apartment buildings damaged. We heard that there was a war and I remember every Sunday announcements through the Red Cross on the radio of returning German soldiers looking for their families. At times parents and grandparents talked about their 1 experiences during the war. In school we learned about the divided Germany and the concentration camps. MT: Real quick, so after the war did you end up in West Germany or? HD: Yes, Hamburg was in West Germany. I was under British occupation. ST: Alright, you mentioned a school. Could you tell us more about where you went to school? HD: The German school system is very different from the school system in the US. In Hamburg we went to Elementary School for four years and then to High School. Initially our elementary school class rooms were in barracks until new class rooms were built. We respected our teachers. Boys were sometimes rowdy and teachers occasionally used a stick on boy’s who did not behave. In High School boys and girls were separated. We had every day six 45minute lessons with short and longer breaks in between. The teachers would come into our class room, so the hallways were quieter. In fifth grade we started to learn English, in seventh grade Latin. We had Algebra, Geometry, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Music and History and Physical Education. All classes were mandatory. We played different ball games and learned the rules of the games. The class was split into two teams for games. ST: Alright, could you tell us some of your memorable high school memories? HD: Since I went to an all-girls High School we were focused on learning and school was challenging. At that time, it was thought that girls learn better when they are not in classes with boys. ST: When you were a young girl, who were some of the women you looked up to? 2 Like role models. HD: Most of my school teachers were females. The High School Teachers were well compensated, well dressed and often told us about their interesting study trips and far away vacations during our six-week summer vacations. My chemistry teacher was also a female teacher. I also read about Madame Curie. ST: The school system between Europe and the U.S. is different. So at 18, were you finished with high school? HD: Yes, I was finished. ST: How did you get into Chemistry? HD: I liked Chemistry in High School and I never wanted to work in an office spending eight hours sitting behind a desk. I wanted to be able to move around. The laboratory environment was providing that flexibility. I completed an apprenticeship as a chemical lab assistant and went to a chemical technician school in Mannheim, Germany. I met my husband in person when I was 19 while he was on an LDS mission. I am not LDS. When I immigrated into the United States it was just a natural way to study chemistry. I wanted an education that was totally accepted in the United States. ST: When did you come into the U.S.? HD: My first trip to the United States was in 1966 to visit my future husband and meet his family. I was booked on a charter flight from Frankfurt, Germany to Salt Lake City. It was the year of the airline strike in the United States. When the plane arrived in New York City there were no flights to Salt Lake City and everybody on 3 the plane had to take the Transcontinental Bus to their final destination. I spent three days and nights travelling across the United States to Salt Lake City where my future husband Clifford picked me up. ST: Could you tell us a bit about your husband, because he keeps popping up and he’s usually doing something new every time he pops up. HD: When I was in High School in Hamburg the English teachers used their connections to High Schools in the United States and England to connect us with students who were studying German so that we could correspond with each other and improve our foreign language skills and learn from our different cultures. We were pen pals from High School. When Cliff came to Switzerland on a mission we met briefly and then again after he was done with his mission. In 1966 and 1967 I spent my summers in Utah before we got married. ST: And he studied at Weber State with you, right? HD: Yes, Cliff studied Psychology and Philosophy and graduated in 1969. During the summer quarter in 1966 or 1967 he took the general Chemistry class. I was very happy that the professor allowed me to attend the class with him and take the final. I easily passed. I believe it was multiple choice and I found it easy. ST: Okay, did you get married over here in the U.S.? HD: We married in 1967 in Las Vegas in the little chapel of the stars. Most likely our marriage was the only marriage that survived. ST: I love that. That’s great. MT: Is your husband from Utah? 4 HD: My husband lived in Ogden and graduated from Ben Lomond High School. ST: Were you encouraged to pursue an education? You might have already kind of answered this, but I’m asking it again. HD: Since I immigrated into a different country and was far away from home I needed to be self-sufficient and financially set to have a plane ticket back to Germany in an emergency. ST: So did you immediately enrolled in Weber? Or did you look at other universities? HD: At first, I got a job in a lab of a flour mill on 30th Street in Ogden, so that we could save some money. I also needed to get my driver’s license and a car. We lived on North Harrison Boulevard and later we lived at the Ogden East bench where we bought a house. To me, college was not a social experience. College was to get your education. With a family you have to go to a college where you have a support group. Being able to have a short drive on Harrison Blvd to college and a shorter drive to work was helpful. I worked at St. Benedict’s Hospital which was at the time on 30th Street. For us there was no other choice. Weber State College was it. ST: What was Weber State University like when you started? HD: I remember a big pond, and a lot of ducks. I remember some classes in the horizontal buildings. MT: Buildings one through four. HD: Yes. Later I remember classes in the high-rise building. MT: The science lab. MT: Did you like the science lab? 5 HD: Yes. MT: Because we’ve heard mixed feelings on that building. HD: Well… oh you mean just from the structure. MT: Okay. I just heard other people complained it was made for men. Like there were a lot more men’s restrooms than women’s and it was just… because science was dominated by men. ST: Is there anything else you want to add on your first impression of Weber? HD: Just positive. I enjoyed the flexibility selecting my classes every quarter. Of course, there were requirements for my major and minor but the general requirements allowed flexibility. ST: Who were your favorite professors? HD: I remember Dr. Seager. Yeah. Just positive and I cannot even give you all of the names. I would have to answer genuinely and I have no negative feelings towards any. I was there when Dr. Seager was the head of the Chemistry department. When he hired the first female Chemistry professor, Dr. Helen James, he did ask me what I think about it. I said, “Well this is just fine.” I came from an environment where my chemistry teacher in High School was a female. I was expecting my daughter during my senior year. She was born in May and I needed to finish finals. Dr. Seager allowed me to submit an assignment a bit later to get credit. I very, very much appreciated it. ST: This is kind of a fishing question; there might not be more here. But was there anything in particular that you liked about the professors? If the answer is no, that’s fine. 6 HD: Yeah, I . . . [shakes head] ST: What student clubs or organizations were you involved with? HD: Absolutely zero. I had a family and worked part time. There was no time to participate in student life. ST: What events did you attend at Weber? HD: None during the time I studied. After I graduated I helped judge the exhibits of the High School Junior Science fair for a number of years. ST: What were some of the challenges that you faced while you were obtaining your degree? HD: Challenges were raising the family. I was able to find reliable babysitters that would come into our house and care for our children. At times, my husband and I were working opposite schedules or on weekends. We just did what we had to do to earn an income, raise the children and to finish our studies. After we bought our first house we had no money to furnish the front room. It did not matter because I never had time to sit on a couch at that time anyway. I make up for it now. ST: So how did you balance the responsibilities like your family and school and work? Was it just a matter of scheduling or was there several challenges? HD: I made decisions as I did. But if I would advise someone, what is the right thing to do? I’ve met people who raise five children and then go to college. I think everybody has to do what works for them. I have some regrets that I did not spend that much time with my children. You know, there are things that you miss. They grew up too fast. They turned out okay, but yeah—that’s a decision I made. 7 In many ways, I had to make it because it was also important to me to be able to pay our bills. Without my share of financial contributions to the family, it would have been much more challenging. ST: Alright, thank you. My next question, we might have kind of already covered it with you talking about your professors. But, what mentors or resources did you have available to you in your program and career? HD: This is still my personal problem. I don’t reach out for mentorship. I like to help people and I now know that every person who is very successful has somebody who has helped them. I still am the one who thinks I need to do it all alone, and I do, but sometimes with a mediocre outcome. I knew the professors were available if I needed them. ST: Alright, thank you. What support networks have been important to you? Kind of the same thing? HD: I had family support, my husband’s parents were supporting us with babysitting and childcare. We also were able to hire a good grandmother who stayed with us as a friend and grandmother for life. I felt it was important for children to have a connection with a babysitter. ST: Alright. What role do you think education has played in empowering women? HD: I think everything. It is not necessary for women to become a nuclear physicist, but an educated mother will lead the path for her children to excel. There’s also emotional intelligence that one needs to develop along the way. We know from projects in underdeveloped countries that when women are supported women can be independent and raise healthier children. If it’s not 8 necessarily all financially, but being able to make decisions and living with the decisions, that’s sometimes what we have to do. ST: What were some of your favorite memories here at Weber State University? HD: My favorite memories at Weber State University were after my graduation. MT: And graduation was held on the football field? HD: Yes, it was. ST: Could you tell us more about that day? Because I’m dying to know the context of the photos. HD: The Commencement Speaker was a speaker from the Bank of Utah. It was my husband’s idea for me to sew little caps and gowns for our two children and take them with me across the stage to receive my diploma. I dressed them in their little caps and gowns and as I lined up to walk across stage my husband handed me the children. With my little daughter on my arm and my son holding my hand I walked across the stage and received my diploma. The professors stood up and applauded. When we exited the stage, we had our one minute of fame. A photographer from the Ogden Standard Examiner took our picture. MT: Did your husband graduate at the same time? HD: No. My husband graduated from Weber State University in 1969 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Philosophy. I graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Chemistry and a minor in Mathematics. As a chemistry major you typically end up with a Bachelor of Science. At that time Chemistry required German as a foreign language because a lot of the literature in chemistry was published in German. All I had to do take two upper 9 division German classes to get a Bachelor of Arts and I did that. ST: What did you do after you graduated from Weber? HD: My first job after graduation was in the laboratory of the Amalgamated Sugar Company in Ogden. It was a routine job and when I received an offer from Albion Laboratories in Clearfield, I switched jobs. I worked for Albion Laboratories for a number of years. When my husband and I wanted to buy a different home, I figured that I needed to earn $50.00 more to qualify for the mortgage. When the President of Albion Laboratories declined my request for a raise I decided it was time for me to move on. I still remember a one page add in the newspaper from Sperry Corporation in 1978 inviting to an open house on a Saturday in Salt Lake City. Sperry Corporation was offering a variety of jobs for people with degrees in Chemistry etc. (Sperry later merged with Burroughs Corporation and became Unisys Corporation). I was qualified and went to the open house. The interviews went well and I was offered a position as process engineer. I found myself as a cubicle worker in an all-male engineering pool with a female secretary typing our reports. I was now on a different pay scale and was able to move ahead. ST: What sort of battles did you face as you progressed in your career? HD: I liked working with my male colleagues. We were extremely busy and focused on the tasks to accomplish. Occasionally I went on business trips with male colleagues. Once I went on a business trip to California with a lower ranking male colleague and my Boss sat me down prior to the trip and told me “Now you get 10 the rental car.” Most likely my male colleague was not too happy to sit in the passenger seat. In 1990 Unisys shut down and moved their manufacturing process to Mexico. I took a severance package and joined my husband on a Tour of Duty in Northern Germany. When we returned from Germany I learned about Compec International, a Taiwanese Company. Compec International was hiring engineers to start in their newly built facility East of the Salt Lake Airport a printed circuit board manufacturing process. I was interviewed by about six managers and engineers and received an assignment to work on at home. I got the job and I took it even though the compensation was 10% less than I earned before. I always felt it was better to be employed than to hold out for a better job while being unemployed. Several of my former colleagues from Unisys were also hired. Now we were working with Taiwanese engineers under Taiwanese management. Taiwanese managers where much more hands on and would sometimes challenge our decisions. Our areas of responsibilities were frequently changed. When that happened I felt, “Does this happen to me because I’m female?” However, my male colleagues went through the same frustrations. At some point Taiwanese managers realized that there were problems and they hired an American Consulting Company to improve the communication between managers, engineers and work force. During those meetings I realized that my male colleagues were treated just a poorly as I felt treated. Some of them left after one year and I left after two years. 11 ST: Okay. The next one, you might have kind of answered, but what positions have you held in your career? HD: I have been a lab technician, process engineer, senior process engineer and lab supervisor. I had moved from a cubicle into my own office. When my husband was sent on a five-year tour to Munich, Germany in 1990, I joined him and studied at the Ludwig Maximilian’s University in Munich and got a Master’s degree in Computational Linguistics and Computer Science. ST: So how long were you there at Munich? HD: My husband’s tour of duty was for five years. After five years he was transferred to Washington D.C. and while he went to work I was writing my master’s thesis. From Washington D.C., I flew to Munich three or four times during one year for the oral exam and to submit my master’s thesis. I never worked in that field though. ST: The next one I’ve got is what recognition have your received for your accomplishments? HD: What recognition? Actually, none. I’m just thinking . . . No. I mean, academically, I got a certificate from the armory for ironing my husband’s shirts way back. ST: I think that counts. HD: This is not a joke. My husband was with the Utah National Guard and then they had an event with families and the wives were presented a certificate for ironing their husband’s shirts. I have had some dogs that have gotten titles and trophies. That’s it. ST: Okay. What did your husband end up doing? 12 HD: For many years, he worked as a social worker. He later worked for the Internal Revenue Service, and then accepted a position with Federal Government. He went on several tours of duty. Some of the tours where short term and others were longer. I typically joined him on the longer tours. ST: So what did you do after you got your master’s from Munich? HD: Normally, one would say, “Now, since I finally have a German M.A. degree, it is time to look for a job again.” But I did not. I applied in Washington D.C. for only one job, as a German Language Instructor with Diplomatic Language Services. Then I got side tracked. We had purchased a townhouse in a community with 183 townhouses and I ended up getting involved with the homeowner’s association, initially as a perceived covenants violator. We had a miniature potbellied pig that traveled with us to Germany, came back from Germany to Washington, and then when we lived in our townhouse. Somebody squealed and I had to deal with getting a special permit for our Peggy. I needed to change the covenants of the community and deal with lawyers and rather than going out and working, I was refocused on saving my little pig. We did succeed. Needless to say, I am not a friend of a homeowner’s association. I find it is amazing that the Americans are putting up with that. It does not improve property values. MT: I agree. HD: Yes, so I never used my Magister of Computational Linguistics, however three years after I had applied as a German Language Instructor the Language school made me an offer that I could not refuse because it was a pleasant job. 13 Diplomatic Language Services received Government contracts for government employees who were temporarily relocating to Germany. I had a small class room with a white board and one student who was eager to learn about the German Language and German life. ST: Okay, thank you. And the next one, what advice would you give to students or like women starting in your field? HD: Just do it. Chemistry is an exciting field. You must study it and by doing it you gain knowledge that cannot easily be obtained by just reading a book. Today there are more women in STEM and also in trades like electrician and plumbers and even fire fighters. Women can focus on what they want to do and want to achieve. It is also a benefit for single women with children who can provide a better standard of living. I suggest to work well with the male counterparts and… don’t go out drinking with them at night. Just be sensible. Moral advice. ST: Is there anything else you want to add or…? Because I don’t want to interrupt you. HD: No, no. ST: Okay, alright. So the next one I have is kind of going back to your story. So when we left off, you were in Washington D.C. and you were fighting for, your potbelly pig was it? What did you do after that? HD: Well, we retired. My husband retired and we kept our house here in Utah with no HOA (no homeowner’s association). In some areas 60% of properties are under the control of a homeowner’s association. Back east, it’s even worse than here. I just wanted to be the queen of my own castle and deal only with a city. 14 ST: Alright, was there anything else besides like the obvious disdain for HOA that brought you back here to Utah? HD: We had kept our house here and it was always our plan to move back. I liked living in Northern Virginia and I liked living in Germany and I made new friends wherever we moved to. You kind of carve out your environment and socialize in the circles where you find common interests. ST: Alright fair enough. HD: Is that it? ST: I think I have a few more. HD: Okay. ST: How did attending Weber State help you in your career field? HD: It made me totally marketable. I had a degree that was recognized and at the same time gained experience close to home. For me it was a benefit to study at a smaller University. ST: The next one is how have you stayed connected with Weber since graduating? HD: During the first years after graduation I was asked to help judge the Junior science fair at Weber State. I enjoyed that. *** They asked him to speak and I went during that time and listened to some of the other lectures and, of course, went to listen to him. He has been more, yeah… I can improve on that, let’s put it this way. ST: What was your son’s name? The one who did the lecture? HD: Sven Davies—S-V-E-N. He’s the one walking, the bigger one [pointing to her 15 graduation photographs]. ST: Can we get the one of your other kid too? HD: Our daughter is Heidi and I would prefer not—she has changed her name. She is in California but she is independent of the family so please. ST: Okay. Alright, let’s see and can we get your husband’s name? I don’t think we got that. HD: Clifford. C-L-I-F-F-O-R-D. ST: Alright, thank you. MT: Was it just the two kids? HD: Yes. MT: Okay. ******* ST: My next question is kind of a bit of a tangent that jumps a bit back. Let’s see, you were over here in 1967 because that’s the date I have when you were married. Were you here for like part of the ‘60s? I don’t know, is that a relevant question to ask you? HD: The first time I visited my future husband and his family was in 1966. During the summer quarter my future husband took the General Chemistry class and the professor allowed me to take the final. I enjoyed going with him to his classes while visiting. ST: I was just wondering if you had any like memories of that time period and like— this is me fishing, there might be nothing here. HD: Memories with…? 16 ST: Well like the ‘60s, especially with it was the second wave of feminism and all of that and I was wondering if that impacted you or if you kind of missed it. HD: As far as my decisions regarding what to study or for which jobs to apply I never thought much about being a female. I always felt that when you have qualifications and would enjoy to do the job, go for it. When I grew up, my father, who died when I was only 16 years old always said to me, “You can do anything you want to do.” So I never thought, “Is this something a female can do”? I only thought “do I want to do it?” ST: Alright thank you. I know I was kind of like fishing there, but thank you. HD: Well there aren’t very many fish that come out. ST: That’s fine, you never know what you’re going to get which is… fine. I think I’m getting close to the end of my list. [To Michael] Do you have any that you want to ask before we wrap up? MT: Did either of your kids attend Weber State? HD: Yes, both of our children attended Weber State University. Our son Sven graduated in 1992 with a degree in German and in 1994 with a BA in Applied Mathematics. Years back Sven was invited to speak at the Nye lectures. Sven also started for Weber State University a “Billiard Endowment for Applied Mathematics.” I am proud of him and I have supported his Endowment. My daughter Heide started studying at Weber State University and graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor degree. ST: Before I ask the final question, do you have any other memorable stories that 17 you’d like to share? HD: About Weber State? MT: Just in general. HD: Yes, I do. After I graduated from Weber State University I got involved in dog training as a hobby. In the early eighties some of my dog training friends and I formed the Golden Spike Dog Obedience Club. It was probably in the mideighties when we had the brilliant idea to meet with our dogs in front of the pond at Weber State University and take a group photo of all of our dogs. We put probably 30 dogs on a sit stay, on those stairs in front of the pond. Then we realized, “Wow, there are ducks in the water!” That was a real challenge and we took another group picture with the geese in the background. We got a really nice picture. I look back at my time at Weber State University with fond memories. It was nice to have my family together when graduating before applying for jobs. ST: That’s great. Alright, so our final question is, how do you think women receiving the right to vote shaped or influenced history, your community, and you personally? HD: I never knew it any other way. I voted in Germany when I was 18 years old. I also remember which party I voted and for whom I voted at the time. I am grateful for the women, who were leading the movement that finally allowed us to vote. Many European Countries today have or have had female heads of State. I think it is time for the United States to have a female President. 18 WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY Stewart Library ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEW AGREEMENT This Interview Agreement is made and entered into this u,1h day(s) of --L.< A- ':!,_.LL{ ....t____, 10 ....1<1 __._____ by and between the Weber State University, Stewart Library, Oral History Program (WSUSLOHP) and HeJga Oivies , hereinafter called "Interviewee." Interviewee agrees to participate in a recorded interview, commencing on or about with Sarcth fIOt i: 15pn time - 20, 201jdate, This Interview Agreement relates to any and all materials originating from the interview, namely the recording of the interview and any written materials, including but not limited to the transcript or other finding aids prepared from the recording. In consideration of the mutual covenants, conditions, and terms set forth below, the parties hereby agree as follows: 1. Interviewee irrevocably assigns to the WSUSLOHP all his or her copyright. title and interest in and to the interview. 2. WSUSLOHP will have the right to use and disseminate the interview for research, educational, and other purposes, including print, present and future technologies, and digitization to provide internet access. 3. Interviewee acknowledges that he/she will receive no remuneration or compensation for either his/her participation in the interview or for the rights assigned hereunder. 4. WSUSLOHP agrees to honor any and all reasonable interviewee restrictions on the use of the interview, if any, for the time specified below, as follows: _________________ Interviewer and Interviewee have executed this Interview Agreement on the date first written above. INTERVIEWER (Printed Name) 3921 Central Campus Dr Dept 2901, Ogden, UT 84408-2901 Sarah Tlot (Printed Nam} I© 801-626-6403 I© 801-626-7045 I libadmin@weber.edu