File f102 - Whyte, Edith Margaret

File consists of a recording of Edith Whyte. Topics of the conversation include logical choice of Queen's University: Carleton University as too close to family home; Queen's as likely choice for Scottish businessman's daughter, after economic constraints of Depression era, WWII; feasibility of attending Queen's on low budget, less likely at socially sophisticated McGill, University of Toronto. Instance of female students at Queen's existing without change of clothing for two years, waitressing, babysitting, to make ends meet. Natural expectation of university education, encouraged by family; brother's attendance at Queen's.. Timing factor in parents' plans for children's education: possibility of waiting subject's university entrance till brother's graduation, rendered unnecessary by brother's scholarships. Strict regulations of Ban Righ women's residence (four 2:30pm late leaves per year, one 12:30 pm per week); contrast with year in 'terrible' quarters in LaSalle Barracks (WWII military housing), 'a single room that I shared with 11 others'. Boarding-houses as only alternative residence; scarcity of apartments, full-up with married veterans. Horrified response to mature age of war­veteran students; veteran student 'crowding out' of contemporary male high school graduates (forced to postpone university attendance). Bank of Canada Governor as example of man brought to university level of education by DVA opportunity only: former prairie upbringing, no hope at all of higher education. Popular expectation that DVA students would fail miserably, oven wrong by reality: DVA students' serious application, difficulties catching up in some areas, excellence in 'softer' subjects such as social sciences (some drank too heavily, but atypical). Familial responsibilities of married DVA students, many living at poverty level if unsupported by parents. Male-female student ratio (hard to fix, varying from class to class). Marriage as female students' predominant goal, not precluding serious studenthood. Career anxieties of contemporary students, difficulty of finding good jobs; hiring preference accorded veterans. Heated discussions of Marshall plan as only sign of campus political involvement, slight concern for rehabilitation of Europe; local nature of student interests. Unawareness prior to Nuremburg trials of wartime atrocities; awareness of some embittered veterans, not many; veterans' accounts of comic side of experience mostly. WWII as first experience of people held in her affections dying. Unquestioning acceptance of war as highschool teenager; lack of sympathy for conscientious objectors, greater sympathy now (attitude-changing influence of war in Viet Nam); greatest sympathy for alternative service COs in medical corps. Popular distrustful attitude to people of German extraction. Childhood memory of fund-raising activity in aid of Russia. Lack of contact with French Canadians as Ottawa resident prior to Queen's; particular French Canadian friend, gold medallist at Queen's, 'superb' second-hand knowledge of English language, grammar. Letting-go of family maid, marking Depression; many denials of childhood wants, without deprivation. Amusing story of 'certificate of disownership' from local church, freeing her from responsibilities of membership. Graduation in Economics, 1948; details of employment with Bank of Canada Research Dept., International Department.//lndividual protest of unequal pay for equal work as Bank of Canada female employee; Bank's belated recognition of discriminatory policy, job evaluation inquiry, reclassification of jobs (1970) acting as clear grounds for appeal in case of injustice. Moderate stance as proponent of women's rights, belief that women should work for recognition simply by proving their abilities. Appointment as Chief of Computer Services Department, Bank of Canada (together with technical expert as Deputy-Chief). Unthreatened, comfortable position as BA graduate employer of highly qualified people; extensive reading, self-education in current situations, as educational requirements in her position; Bank informality, staff unawareness of each other's formal qualifications; Grade 10 education of former Deputy-Governor Donald Gordon. Inconceivability of combined career-marriage at time of graduation; frustrated, insecure lives of married women in her generation, attractive confidence of younger career wives. Impracticable option of splitting full­time jobs two ways to provide mothers with part-time employment. Divided response to current generation of university graduates: disapproval of those shirking responsibility to earn their living, take up own share of tax burden; conscience-stricken pity for serious job applicants unable to find jobs; impatience with graduates of haphazard university programmes expecting to be paid at the same rates as trained university graduates. Recent contact with Queen's University.