School Teachers Weren't Allowed to Marry Until the Second World War

When I began teaching school in 1934, my contract stated that if I got married, I lost my job. It was not until the second World War began, causing a shortage of school teachers, that this discrimination ended. Married women teachers became more acceptable. 

My husband and I were married in 1937. He had just bought a Ford coupe, which was fine then. But our family soon grew to include three small boys. We needed a new car, but new cars were unavailable during the second World War. The boys took turns riding on the shelf behind the two regular seats. We were all happy when we were able to purchase a new car.

Clarice Morrison
Coleridge, Nebraska

 

Back in 1955 a call went out from the editors of the then Capper’s Weekly asking for readers to send in articles on true pioneers. Hundreds of letters came pouring in from early settlers and their children, many now in their 80s and 90s, and from grandchildren of settlers, all with tales to tell. So many articles were received that a decision was made to create a book, and in 1956, the first My Folks title – My Folks Came in a Covered Wagon – hit the shelves. Nine other books have since been published in the My Folks series, all filled to the brim with true tales from Capper’s readers, and we are proud to make those stories available to our growing online community.