Storyteller: Metevelis, Marina (Balafas)

Interviewer: Bertalot, Lorretta

Language: English

Initiative: Tulsans Talk

Description: Marina Metevelis makes presentations about Rosie the Riveter and tells the story of women in WW II. She describes Greek family life and traveling on a train to Tulsa from Kansas when the signs were changed to keep Negroes from some parts of the train. Army wives were not well provided for during WW II. She began taking college classes by correspondence. In 1970 Marina began working at Tulsa Junior College when the Vietnam Vets were returning and the school was growing. At age 97 she had to enlist Senator Jim Inhofe to collect her earned retirement. She recalls prohibition, Ma Barker, early Greek Orthodox church services and "Greekville". Her new home is the remodeled Adams Hotel. Her Boeing Overalls are 72 years old.

Subjects: Women in aircraft factories, Immigration to America, Aunt Kellly the flapper, Negro discrimination, Army wives, TJC/ TCC, Retirement at 97, Ma Barker, Boeing overalls