Interview with Shanel Aliano O'Neil
Date13 March 2025
Mediumborn digital audio file
DimensionsDuration: 50 Minutes
ClassificationsHistorical Events
Credit LineCommunity History Project Collection
Description(a) Audio file of interview with Shanel Aliano O'Neil. She was interviewed by Lauren Palen on 13 March 2025 in Burlington, CT. (b) Photograph of Shanel Aliano O'Neil taken at her interview.
Shanel Aliano O'Neill was interviewed as part of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History's Community History Project discussing moments of change in her life.
Shanel O'Neil (Aliano) discusses her change of moving to Manassas, Virginia for job opportunities. Her decision to make that move changed her as a person because she faced multiple challenges and discoveries during her time there. She moved to Virginia in 2007 after graduating college in Keene, New Hampshire. Shanel struggled to find a job during a time of financial uncertainty in 2007, which was the driving force that caused her to move.
She describes her struggles with moving because she had close ties with her family in Connecticut. She talks about creating new friendships and joining various activities. These activities and friendships provided comfort during this time of change.
Shanel talks about her strong will and healing personality which she credits to the female family members who drove her in her career as an environmental remediation project manager.
Shanel describes how her relationships changed during her time away and how those changes affected her. She also mentions the gender imbalance and her struggle to get her voice heard in her work environment. Nevertheless, this did not stop her from continuing to use her voice and ideas for projects of change.
Her life is mostly virtual now after moving back to Connecticut, which is something she loves as it offers more time for her to spend with her husband and son. However, she mentions certain challenges she faces by working virtually.
Shanel finishes her interview by mentioning the importance of finding your freedom but also matining your important relationships with the people who make you feel loved and valued.
Shanel Aliano O'Neill was interviewed as part of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History's Community History Project discussing moments of change in her life.
Shanel O'Neil (Aliano) discusses her change of moving to Manassas, Virginia for job opportunities. Her decision to make that move changed her as a person because she faced multiple challenges and discoveries during her time there. She moved to Virginia in 2007 after graduating college in Keene, New Hampshire. Shanel struggled to find a job during a time of financial uncertainty in 2007, which was the driving force that caused her to move.
She describes her struggles with moving because she had close ties with her family in Connecticut. She talks about creating new friendships and joining various activities. These activities and friendships provided comfort during this time of change.
Shanel talks about her strong will and healing personality which she credits to the female family members who drove her in her career as an environmental remediation project manager.
Shanel describes how her relationships changed during her time away and how those changes affected her. She also mentions the gender imbalance and her struggle to get her voice heard in her work environment. Nevertheless, this did not stop her from continuing to use her voice and ideas for projects of change.
Her life is mostly virtual now after moving back to Connecticut, which is something she loves as it offers more time for her to spend with her husband and son. However, she mentions certain challenges she faces by working virtually.
Shanel finishes her interview by mentioning the importance of finding your freedom but also matining your important relationships with the people who make you feel loved and valued.
Object number2024.79.23a-b
NotesSubject Note: The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History’s Community History Project (CHP) is a public-facing initiative, focused on contemporary collecting, gathering items of the recent past as well as from events happening today. This program developed community historians to identify, document, and preserve their experiences as residents of Connecticut, and to share these experiences during a series of community presentations. The project focused on the theme "Redefining Moments of Change." Conneticans share stories of people or events who have changed their lives or how they have sparked change in the lives of others.Cataloging Note: Digitization and access to this collection is supported by a Congressionally Directed grant through the U.S. Department of Education.
Subject Terms
- Burlington
- Oral history
- Interviews
- Oral narratives
- Women
- White people
- Moving, Household
- Friendship
- Nature
- Gender roles
- Family
- Relationships
- Work from home
- Women white collar workers
- Interviews and Oral Histories
- Born Digital Audio
- Community History Project U.S. Department of Education grant
- Redefining Moments of Change Collection
On View
Not on view
2022 June 6