ca. 1943. In July of 1943, three members of the Red Cross Motor Corp., left to right Etta (Mrs. Allan H.) Moody, Mrs. George Osgood and Marjorie (Mrs. Richard) Boardman, dressed in Red Cross suits stand beside a wood-paneled station wagon. Fire Station No. 6 at 823 A St., fully covered with ivy, in background. Fire Station #6, built in 1890, was razed in 1974.

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mr. Pirrett. The Tacoma Chamber of Commerce officials invited local business men to participate in the Pacific Northwest Advisory Board. This board would meet on a monthly basis with Governor Langlie. View of nine Tacoma business men, James E. Morris, Vice President of Weyerhauser Sales Co., is in the back row second from left. Photo ordered by Mr. Harrold R. Pirret, Sales Manager at Sperry Flour Co.

Tacoma Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); Morris, James E.; Pirret, Harrold R.; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

Red Cross pictures. In August 1944 Red Cross celebrated its 80th anniversary. The first recorded notice of Red Cross activities in Tacoma date back to October 1898. In July 1916 Tacoma became an official chapter and in 1931 it was renamed the Pierce County Chapter. View of Red Cross volunteers by Red Cross vehicle, outside of new building.

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

Red Cross volunteers were photographed in 1944 posing with their vehicle outside of their new headquarters at 702-04 Broadway. In August of 1944, the International Committee of the Red Cross celebrated the 80th anniversary of the first Geneva Convention. The International Red Cross was also awarded the 1944 Nobel Peace Prize. In Tacoma, the local Red Cross was founded in 1898. In July of 1916 Tacoma became an official chapter and in 1931 it was renamed the Pierce County Chapter. After several mergers, in 2008, the local Red Cross became the American Red Cross Mount Rainier Chapter, serving Pierce, Thurston, Mason and Lewis counties.

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

June of 1942 saw the grand opening of the Labor Temple Recreation Club. The Tacoma Central Labor Council, representing over 60 A.F.of L. unions, had purchased the old Baker Hotel property on Market Street in 1941 and made it their new home. A guest of the Labor Temple reaches for a piece of cake from a waitress during opening day ceremonies while four others in the booth look on. The notice on the wall near the group indicates that only beer and wine could be served during specific hours; no hard liquor was allowed. The Club rooms were located on the Mezzanine floor and served as recreation rooms and as a restaurant.

Labor Temple Recreation Club (Tacoma); Cakes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Waitresses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ten members of the Co-Ed Club were responsible for planning a social evening at the USO Club at 13th and Fawcett on July 21, 1942. Five members of the planning committee are pictured, left to right, Rosemary Stewart, Mimi Howell, Mrs. Mack Coon (Dorothy LaGasa), Sabine Phelps and Grace (Mrs. C. Nathan) Lynn. (T. Times)

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Co-Ed Club (Tacoma); Stewart, Rosemary; Howell, Mimi; LaGasa, Dorothy; Phelps, Sabine; Lynn, Grace;

In September of 1944 five unidentified soldiers were photographed while resting in the temporary sleeping quarters provided in Tacoma's Union Station by the USO. During WWII the United Services Organization Travelers Aid Service provided assistance and general information to service men and their wives, newcomers, and other travelers in need of help. They could also provide spartan, overnight sleeping accommodations when called on.

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Beds; Military Personnel--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma);

Tacoma Credit Women were active members throughout the Tacoma community. They sponsored and hosted events for service men through the United Service Organization Travelers Aid Society. View of Tacoma Credit Women, members of the Tacoma Retail Credit Association.

Women--Organizations--Tacoma; Women--Social life--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; Tacoma Retail Credit Association (Tacoma);

Red Cross. Officials and officers of the Red Cross pose for a group picture. Seated second from left is the Captain of the Women's Emergency Motor Corps, Iris Bryan.

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Registered nurses donate their time as instructors in home nursing. Red Cross classes are provided to train over three million people in home nursing to ease the doctor and nurse shortage due to the war. (T.Times, 2/16/1944, p.6), (TNT, 2/27/1944, p.1).

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Health education; Nursing; Medical equipment & supplies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Seven women are knitting and two other women are working at a typewriter and desk. A roll of paper is on a stand at the end of one of the tables ready to assist in wrapping packages. Money alone would never complete the tremendous task the Red Cross has in helping people in need. Over four million Red Cross workers sew garments for hospitals and refugees and knit sweaters. (T.Times, 2/29/1944, p.1)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Knitting; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A bathing beauty of times past steps lightly from the family album, blowing up a pair of water wings. She is a model in the Pi Beta Phi style show and tea, held at the Masonic Temple roof garden on September 6, 1940. (T. Times 9/5/1940, pg. 10)

Pi Beta Phi (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bathing suits--1910-1920;

This group of newly minted mermaids was photographed in the Y.W.C.A. pool, 405 Broadway, on August 27, 1942. For the first time, the pool remained open for the whole summer that year to expand the recreation facilities available to the children who spent their vacation at home. The youngsters pictured could not swim at all at the beginning of the season, but by the end of August they were all "at home in the water" according to Mrs. John McConnell, swimming instructor. Pictured clockwise, starting at the top center with the girl in the dark cap, are: Joyce Sheets, Jeanne Arkin, Patilou Babbitt, Margaret Ward, Laura Sheppard, Onnalee Dungan, Pat Sternberg, Ella Mae Goddell, mary Jean Harvel, Barbara Ann Combs, Carole Jenks, Virginia Gundstrom, Nancy Ann Wilhelmi and Mary Ann Norton. (TNT 8/31/1942 p.9)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); Swimming pools--Tacoma; Swimmers--Tacoma;

Modelling her latest formal creation on July 27, 1942, while standing on a stack of books at the YWCA, was USO Junior Hostess Dorothy Blanchfield. Lending a hand with the construction, left to right, were Carolyn Moore, (Miss Blanchfield,) Anna Mae Willman, Marian Allen and Myrl Van Den Heuvel. A USO Junior Hostess, in order to keep her permanent card and be a member in good standing, was required to attend one social function a week. The most popular functions were the dances. In order to have a wide variety of formal dresses and to keep costs down, some of the girls met weekly at the YWCA, with volunteer stylists from the department stores, to sew their own formals. Publicity for Community Chest. (TNT 8/2/1942 p.A-7)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Sewing; Seamstresses; Sewing machines; Blanchfield, Dorothy; Moore, Carolyn; Willman, Anna Mae; Allen, Marian; Van Den Heuvel, Myrl;

Interior of new Tacoma Labor Temple, 1355 Market St. View of meeting room taken from podium. American Federation of Labor (AFofL) symbol on back wall. $75,000 in remodeling was needed to turn the Baker Hotel, at 1355 Market St., into the Labor Temple, home of over 60 labor unions. Included were nine meeting rooms, such as this one, seating variously 50- 600 folks.

Labor unions--Tacoma; Labor Temple (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Central Labor Council obtained the Baker Hotel in 1941 for use as their new headquarters. They abandoned their cramped offices at the City Hall annex, where they had been for 17 years, and moved into the new 4 1/2 story cream colored brick structure. They then spent $75,000 remodeling the building to suit their purposes. This remodel included the construction of members-only recreation rooms and restaurant. (TNT 1/7/1943, pg. 1)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Labor Temple (Tacoma);

More than 200 men attended the installation ceremonies creating the new Delta Phi chapter of Sigma Chi, college social fraternity, at the College of Puget Sound. National officers attended from Chicago, Seattle and Tacoma for the event. Ordered by the Magazine of Sigma Chi, Merrill E. Pritchard.

Sigma Chi (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Order of Eastern Star Vida Chapter was having their annual installation of officers in the Gothic Room in Tacoma's Masonic Temple; an informal reception would be held in the roof garden with the Starlets serving as hostesses. View of members from the Vida Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, during the ceremony for the installation of new officers (T.N.T., 4/10/49, p. D-8).

Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Masonic buildings--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Order of Eastern Star Vida Chapter No. 35 (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Annual meeting of the American Red Cross at the Chapter House in Tacoma in July 1949. . The Pierce County chapter was offering free home nursing courses. The program had awarded 274 home nursing certificates to students, housewives and Army wives during the previous year. It was also the first year that classes were held for Army wives at Fort Lewis. (photo taken for Mrs. Thomson) TNT, 7/7/1949, p.6)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Nurses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The 11th annual President's Anniversary Ball of the University-Union Club drew a large crowd on May 5, 1950. Two men, one older and one younger, wearing white dinner jackets and bow ties, stand behind the candy counter and in front of the cigarette and cigar display in the lobby of the club's building. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 5/14/1950, p.D-5)

Clubs--Tacoma; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Dinner parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

White Shrine installation 1950. A newly installed officer of the White Shrine of Jerusalem holds a banner of the Mizpah Shrine, Order of the White Shrine, connected to a white shepherd's hook while she raises her left arm. Ordered by Mr. A.R. Emerson.

White Shrine of Jerusalem (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Inaugurations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps from the Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2. The twenty-two members of the marching band pose with their musical instruments. The drum major stands on the right and the majorette is seen with her battons on the left. Ordered by Tom Hibben.

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Drum majorettes--Tacoma; Drums; Bugles; Marching bands; Band uniforms--Tacoma;

Tacoma's delegates to Alpha Iota's Silver Jubilee convention are seen at Union Station with their luggage reviewing time tables from Union Pacific Railroad as they head for San Francisco. Alpha Iota was the business women's sorority. They are, L-R, Sophie Forslund, Mrs. Keith Melendy, Frances Carmichael, May Meyer, Anna Pursley and Mary Frian. Lela Young is seated on the suitcase. (TNT, 7/9/1950, p.D-9) TPL-8403

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Alpha Iota (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Luggage; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The interior of Normanna Hall was decorated as an outdoor setting for the Camp Fire Girls' General Council Meeting and Grand Council Fire. The ceremonies included a Fire Lighting dance by the Tacoho girls in Indian costume. The awarding of ranks and honors was given by Janice Stenson, executive director. The Blue Birds, junior organization of the Camp Fire Girls, "Flew-up" into Camp Fire with the Camp Fire Girls removing the blue ties and replacing them with Camp Fire ties. (TNT, 5/24/1950, p.19)

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Girls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Normanna Hall (Tacoma);

Regional Banquet at First Baptist Church, Camp Fire Girls, Miss Bently. Leaders in Camp Fire Girls activities attended a regional training institute for Washington and Oregon leaders. More than 200 leaders met November 8, 1948, at the First Baptist Church. The assembled leaders are shown attending a banquet and several Camp Fire Girls model uniforms on the stage. (T.Times, 11/9/1948, p.1: TNT, 11/9/1948, p.7)

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The "March of Dimes" was starting their fundraising campaign, "Mile O' Dimes", in January of 1949. All special events for the organization were under the direction of Norton Gordon. View of Tacoma Fire Department's new 100 foot ladder extending to the Winthrop Hotel's seventh floor where climber Fireman Scotty Miles, a member of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, will accept one of the first donations for the "March of Dimes" campaign (T. Times, 1/15/49, p. 1).

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Poliomyelitis--Prevention; National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (Tacoma); March of Dimes (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Miles, Scotty; Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma)

These volunteers are working on packaging up food, clothing and toy donations received by the Tacoma Times, the gift boxes will be given to families in need. The volunteers are working at the Central Lutheran Church, the family names were provided by the Tacoma Community Chest. Left to right, G. W. Lasham, Mrs. Hill, Ted Osborne, Joan Osborne, Leona Ingman, A. Johnson, Dick McCulloch and Marjorie Webster (T. Times, 12/27/48, p. 14).

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas presents; Charity--Tacoma; Food relief--Tacoma; Christmas--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Central Lutheran Church (Tacoma);

The Progressive Italian American Club was appointing and installing their new officers for 1949. The club was located at 741 Saint Helens Avenue, the club's Manager and Secretary was Rocco Manza. View of Progressive Italian American Club members at their clubhouse; the women are wearing dresses and hats typical of the late 1940's (T. Times, 1/6/49, p. 5).

Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950; Events--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; Italian Americans--Tacoma; Progressive Italian American Club (Tacoma);

Bartenders going through the Bartenders' Union bar course will be better qualified to serve their customers. Bartenders will learn a number of drinks to properly and rapidly serve, starting with the twelve most popular drinks ordered, including Manhattans, Tom Collins, Dry Martinis, Cuba Libres and Daiquiris. Left to right, Al S.Taylor, Ted Mason and Dale Porter; Ted is reading a book while trying to serve an irritated customer, played by Dale Porter. (T. Times, 1/4/49, p. 1). TPL-8851 (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Labor leaders--Tacoma; Bartenders--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Union Local No. 61 (Tacoma); Taylor, Al S.; Mason, Ted; Porter, Dale;

Bartender Ward Doucette, surrounded by the tools of his trade, studies a book on the art of mixology in this photograph from January 1949. One of the immediate results of Initiative 171, which had just passed in the November elections, was that all bartenders in Washington had to prove their knowledge of their trade by passing a test. The Bartenders' Union in Tacoma set up a school for their members to help them get past this new hurdle. (T. Times, 1/4/49, p. 1). TPL-8850 (Identification provided by a reader)

Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Labor leaders--Tacoma; Bartenders--Tacoma--1940-1950; Drinking vessels; Corkscrews; Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Union Local No. 61 (Tacoma); Doucette, Ward;