Marie Kevensky Oral History

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Who's responsible?: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries (Repository)
How much has been digitized?: This collection has been digitized in its entirety.
Where can I find more information?: https://uncg.as.atlas-sys.com/repositories/2/resources/906
What's in the full collection?: 3 November 1999 oral history transcript
Full biography: Marie Kevensky (1929-2015), of New York City served in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve from 1951 to 1954. She also worked for KLM Airlines and for the Department of State Foreign Service. Marie Kevensky grew up in New York City. After high school, she did clerical and secretarial work before joining the Marine Corps on 26 January 1951. Kevensky attended boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, and then went to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where she was a secretary in the motor transport office. She left the Marines on 25 January 1954, and returned to New York. Kevensky worked briefly for KLM Airlines before accepting a job with the Department of State Foreign Service. She spent three years doing clerical work in embassies and consulates in Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and Austria. After returning to New York, Kevensky held a number of jobs, including one with the George A. Fuller Construction Company. She later went back to work for KLM Airlines until she retired.
Topics: Women's History
Military
Branch of service: Marines -- Women Marines
Conflict: Post World War II, Korea (1947-1963)
Subject headings: Korean War, 1950-1953
United States. Marine Corps--Women
Contributing Institution: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries

: Oral history interview with Marie Kevensky; Primarily documents Marie Kevensky's experiences in the Marines Corps Women's Reserve from 1951 to 1954 and her duties in Europe with the Department of State Foreign Service. Kevensky discusses her reasons for joining the Marines; physical and classroom training at Parris Island; attitudes of the male Marines towards Kevensky female Marines; social life in the Marines, including dances and movies; living quarters at Camp Lejeune; and the Marines as a learning and growing experience. Topics not related to her service with the Marines include meeting Pope Pius XII in 1956; her love of traveling; meeting politicians and diplomats, including Clare Booth Luce and John Foster Dulles; and her opinion of women in combat positions.

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Women Veterans Historical Project

Marie Kevensky Oral History

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