Current mood:
rockin
Mom turned 88 yesterday and I couldn't get out to go visit her. I seriously doubt she knew it was her birthday, other than for a few minutes around any mention anyone may have made about it. But I knew and I couldn't even go see her.
Today I googled her. She's had quite an amazing life in my opinion and I thought she might pop up on a google search. She did. More than once. But the most popular "Doreen Lewis" by far was Capt. Doreen Lewis of the "Private Benjamin" movie starring Goldie Hawn. (1980. Cpt. Lewis was played by Eileen Brennan)
The first two hits for Mom were Association for Women Veterinarians Records 1945-2003
"The Association for Women Veterinarians (known as Women's Veterinary Medical Association prior to 1980) began in 1947 as the idea of veterinarian Mary K. Dunlap of Kansas City, Missouri. It was her hope to form an organization of women working in a male dominated profession. A preliminary gathering was held in April with the first official meeting held in August. The first officers elected were: President, Lucille Dimmerling; Vice Presidents, Edith Williams, Elinor McGrath, and Patricia O’Connor; Secretary, Doreen Hatfield; and Treasurer, Josephine Brown."
Mom is front row, 2nd from the left.
and Guide to the Association for Women Veterinarians Records 1945-2003.
This second site is a listing of the associations archives by topic, box & folder. What it tells me about Mom is that she was also treasurer from 1962 to 1969.
I actually went through 50 google pages and found her again on page 50: Women Veterinarians in the Uniformed Services of the United States
This article will not allow me to copy the section I wish to, but the 4th paragraph is about Mom's military service. Sadly, it states that she was not allowed near the stables (wtf!?!) but not that it was due to discrimination against women. I believe she told me at one time the lead (male) veterinarian's wife objected to him working with her.
(Mom, bottom left)
My last hit, this time of her maiden name of Doreen Hatfield, produced the following: Veterinary Fraternities and Sororities.
Once again I cannot copy and paste, but paragraph 3 states that Mom was the secretary of the Kappa chapter of Alpha Psi at Washington State College (University now) in 1941. Apparently the all male requirement was waived or overlooked by the national officers and their constitution was not officially changed to accept women into the fraternity until 1974.
So, that is "Mom googled." There are many things that I think make her amazing, and I will write about them soon. Least of all, she raised three children alone after my dad died on Februrary 29, 1960. I was 3 years old. She never remarried.
(Mom today)
I LOVE YOU MOM!!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment