Interview with Irma Sobol
IntervieweeInterview with
Irma Sobol
(American, 1924 - 2020)
InterviewerInterviewed by
Bruce M. Stave
(American, 1937 - 2017)
InterviewerInterviewed by
Sondra Astor Stave
Date2006 September 26
Mediumdigitized audio cassette tape
DimensionsDuration: 1 Hour, 1 Minute, 59 Seconds
ClassificationsInformation Artifacts
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
Object number2009.85.4
DescriptionAudio cassette tape of an interview with Irma Sobol. She was interviewed on September 26, 2006 by Bruce M. Stave and Sondra Astor Stave at her home in Newington, Connecticut.
Irma Sobol was born on September 23, 1924 in Hartford, Connecticut. She attended Hartford High School and the Annie Fisher School. She left high school during her sophomore year. Her mother worked in the Sportswear Department at Wise, Smith & Company, so Irma was able to get a job in the Sweater Department. She was then fired at Christmastime and decided to work at G. Fox & Company. She then stayed at G. Fox for 42 years until she retired.
Irma's first job at G. Fox was as a bundle girl, packaging customers purchases. She then moved to the Candy Department, then the Stationary Department. She worked for a buyer of stationery, then moved to the Housewares Department office. Her final job was working as a secretary for the Warehouse Superintendent. Irma retired in 1983.
Irma was a member of the Moses Fox Club, and she describes the celebration, which was held in the Centinel Hill Hall.
Irma describes how G. Fox changed after the store was sold to the May Company in 1965.
Irma got married in 1955. Her family still lived in Hartford but moved to Newington in 1972. She lived in the North End of Hartford when she was single. She took the bus to work until she got her driver's license. In the 1970s, she carpooled with one or two co-workers since there was a gas shortage.
She received a store discount, medical insurance, and a pension. Jean Drew was the first Black woman hired at G. Fox to sell on the main floor. Irma and Jean were friendly. The dress code for women was that they had to wear either black or navy and no sleeveless dresses or tops. The men wore a suit and tie.
Irma purchased many items at G. Fox because of her staff discount, but she also shopped at Sage Allen.
She describes her experience shopping at suburban malls.
Irma Sobol was born on September 23, 1924 in Hartford, Connecticut. She attended Hartford High School and the Annie Fisher School. She left high school during her sophomore year. Her mother worked in the Sportswear Department at Wise, Smith & Company, so Irma was able to get a job in the Sweater Department. She was then fired at Christmastime and decided to work at G. Fox & Company. She then stayed at G. Fox for 42 years until she retired.
Irma's first job at G. Fox was as a bundle girl, packaging customers purchases. She then moved to the Candy Department, then the Stationary Department. She worked for a buyer of stationery, then moved to the Housewares Department office. Her final job was working as a secretary for the Warehouse Superintendent. Irma retired in 1983.
Irma was a member of the Moses Fox Club, and she describes the celebration, which was held in the Centinel Hill Hall.
Irma describes how G. Fox changed after the store was sold to the May Company in 1965.
Irma got married in 1955. Her family still lived in Hartford but moved to Newington in 1972. She lived in the North End of Hartford when she was single. She took the bus to work until she got her driver's license. In the 1970s, she carpooled with one or two co-workers since there was a gas shortage.
She received a store discount, medical insurance, and a pension. Jean Drew was the first Black woman hired at G. Fox to sell on the main floor. Irma and Jean were friendly. The dress code for women was that they had to wear either black or navy and no sleeveless dresses or tops. The men wore a suit and tie.
Irma purchased many items at G. Fox because of her staff discount, but she also shopped at Sage Allen.
She describes her experience shopping at suburban malls.
Collections
Funding Note: In 2006, the Connecticut Historical Society received a grant from the Beatrice Fox Auerbach Foundation Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to support the collection of oral histories, the cataloging of G. Fox & Co. materials and Fox and Auerbach family materials, and the creation of web pages. Additional funding for the oral histories was provided by The Prospect Fund, The Brookside Fund, and The Maple Tree Fund. The Connecticut Historical Society gratefully acknowledges these generous supporters. Without such generosity, this project would not have been possible.
Status
Not on view2007 June 7