Edna "Toddy" Fox
Where did your parents live when you were born?
On the east side of Cleveland. It was a neighborhood full of ethnic mixtures. Lots of Polish, Czechs, and Italians.
What is your earliest memory?
My grandfather. He was killed right before my second birthday. He raised pigeons and I can remember the coops.
My Nana and two teenage children lived with mother, daddy and I. We lived in a great big house that had a basement
and attic. There were cousins and aunts and uncles. We lived there when my first sister was born. I started school in
that house. There is a lot of memories made in that house.
How old were you when World War II started?
I was almost two years old.
Do you remember anything from World War II?
Yes. I can remember that sugar and coffee were rationed. We saved anything aluminum for one of the war efforts.
We got rationing stamps. People who smoked rolled their own cigarettes. I can remember the contraption that sat on top
of tables. It had a crank and you would put the papers in and the tobacco and crank it. My father tried to enlist in the
military, but he was too old. He served in the first World War. I can remember my Uncle Don leaving for the Navy.
What were you doing when they announced that the war had ended?
I was sitting on the front porch playing jacks, when my mother came out and told me that the war had ended. I was six
years old.
Were you in school during the time of the war?
Yes, I was in the first grade when the war had ended. So, I had been in school for two years by this time.
What was school like back in those days?
It was school. But we were able to say prayers in school everyday. There was not any controversy over the
Pledge of Allegiance.
What did you do for fun when you were younger?
Well basically the same thing you and your friends do. We hung out, went to the movies, It was just like it is now,
but it was probably safer back when I was growing up than it is now. There was not any of the gang violence that we have
to worry about now a days. But for the most part we always had something to do when me and my friends would go out.
What was it like being a woman when you were growing up?
There was always higher education provided. It was not expected out of woman to continue on with their education
as much as it was expected out of men, but there were some women who pursued higher education.
What jobs were available for women when you were old enough to get a job?
Well, most women either went into teaching, nursing, secretarial positions, or got married and started their
families. Another position that was available for women was Stewardess, but there were weight, height and age limitations.
That used to be a primo job, because women could find husbands that way.
What did you do?
I got married right out of high school. When I say right out of high school, I mean right out of high school.
I graduated from high school on a Friday night, and that next day I got married. That next January I had your father.
When did you graduate from high school?
June 7, 1957.
What was your first job?
I worked at the A&P, it was a supermarket, as a cashier. That was the summer between my junior and senior year.
What has been the biggest change, as far as women are concerned, that you have noticed?
Women have so many more choices now a days. I am almost envious. I am glad I am still alive and take part in some of
it. I have become empowered. My granddaughters can be and do anything they want to do. The only thing I don't like is that
women still don't command the same salary as men. Men still make more money in the business world. Women are so much smarter
now a days. There is so much more independence.
How do you feel about the stay at home fathers now?
I think it is great that a woman can run the household without the help of a man, as far as the financial end is
concerned. Dads should be able to stay at home with the kids while moms go out and work.
What jobs are available for women now, that weren't back then?
All kinds of jobs, Women can be anything they want to be now. Jobs in the business world, managers, women can even be
pilots in the military. That was a big no no back then.
What advice would you give women of today?
Learn to take care of yourself, be independent and self sufficient. When you fall in love, fall in love because you love
the person, not because you need somebody to take care of you. Be all that you can be, the whole Army quote!!!
World War II site provided by Ken Middleton of Middle Tennessee State Library. This site gives a brief description of women's roles during WWII.
Rationing During World War II site provides a brief description of rations during WWII.
Flight Attendant website gives a brief description of the requirements needed to be a stewardist in the 1950's and on.