File f48 - Lennon, Gladys R.

File consists of a recording of Gladys Lennon. Topics of the conversation include regular four-year relocations as minister's child; family relations with three brothers, connection with Bishop's College (Lennoxville, Quebec). Unwilling enrolment, at father's insistence, in Bishop's education course; seven unhappy years as schoolteacher. English major, French minor at Queen's; continued study of French throughout working life; loss of fluency since removal from French-speaking milieu. Assessment of Canadian bilingualism as 'not much of a prob­lem' (any English-speaking person can learn French if he tries); example of nephew tutored by fellow taxicab drivers. Ambition to drive, thwarted by brothers' prior claim on family car. Business course in Montreal ('which I wanted to do in the first place') following schoolteaching; 23 years' happy employment with Canadian Press. World War II memory of reporting on Montreal munitions factory French­ speaking celebration of its one-millionth shell. Fifteen years' employment with CP in Montreal (opening home to mother after father's death); advantage taken of CP hiring system to transfer to New York; transfer to Toronto. Canadian Press interviewing trip to Newfoundland; entertaining, educational value of CP career; analogous idea of Brian Moore's The Luck of Ginger Coffey. Acceptance of United Church Beard of Home Missions offer of employment; unsought nature of resignation from CP, honest decision that churchwork would be nearer her interests. Choice of 'ministers' grants' portfolio rather than 'church property', pleasure in acquaintance with world-wide endeavours of ministers, missionaries; recently threatened position of Brazilian missionary. Local (Kingston) church missions work as an habitual female preserve, despite numbers of missionaries of both sexes. Current post-retirement responsibility for informing and instructing Queen St. (Kingston) United Church missions units; role as information gatherer, human research index to Colbourne St. missions library; congregational role as prompter, 'trying to get the women interested in what we're supposed to be interested in', hand in Church publications (Mandate, minute remissions). Desire to be relieved of missions responsibilities, while maintaining strong missions interests developed since childhood. Admiration for achievements of female ministers. Single status; marriage as something that 'just never happened'. Lengthy CP position as sole female employee.//Comic anecdote of returned airforce pilot (missing, presumed dead). Self-characterization as neither writer nor talker. Satisfaction with personal lot, unusual chance at 'two such interesting backgrounds'. Mother's support for subject's ambitions; father's selfishness. Appreciation of United Church role as religious 'leader'; admiration for former moderators Howard, McClure.