Oral history interviews with Wardell Canada, Isaac Morrow, Rodney Rhymes, Douglas Woods, Marlene Anderson, and Phil (Stevedore) Rees by Rebecca M. Crist, Duncan Plymate, Benjamin Williams, and Dave Larson conducted 02/1995. This collection of interviews with local longshoreman examines several aspects of the longshoring industry in Tacoma, including mechanization, race and gender relations, and the role of the national and local unions. Interviewees include Wardell Canada, Jr., a former member of the Black Longshore Association; Isaac Morrow, a Port of Tacoma foreman who pioneered on-dock intermodal shipping; Rodney Rhymes and Douglas Woods, two career longshoreman with thirty-five years experience between them; Marlene Anderson, the first woman in Pierce County to work in the longshoring industry; and Phil Rees, a casual (non-union) longshoreman who hopes to follow in his fathers and grandfathers footsteps.

Oral history interview with Lorraine E. Joseph by Cecelia La Pointe-Gorman conducted January-February 2008. Puyallup tribal elder Lorraine Joseph shares the history of the Indian Shaker Church and discusses how faith and prayer have shaped her life.

Oral history interviews with Adriene Tillman and Shirley Aikin by Cheryl Marie Coney conducted 05/11/2011. Adriene Tillman and Shirley Aikin examine the social trends and attitudes that have shaped their experiences as African-American nurses. Particular attention is paid to the interviewees involvement with the Ebony Nurses Association of Tacoma, a local organization that provides professional and personal support to its members. Other topics of discussion include Tillmans union activity with the Washington State Nurses Association, Aikins teaching career at Pacific Lutheran University, and the current strengths and weaknesses of the nursing profession.

Oral history interviews with Aida Mohajer and Ebrahimi by Shadyar Omrani conducted 05/01/2020. Since COVID-19 started to become a global pandemic, it has caused personal and public traumas. Increase in unemployment rate, bankruptcy of small businesses, financial stress to the middle and working-class and the closure of many businesses which relied on peopleΓÇÖs social activities, including the gig industry, tourism industry and restaurants, are additional traumas to the issues of health and life threats people face by the contingency of the virus. By the end of May 2020, more than 2 million Americans were confirmed COVID-19 positive, 113 thousand of whom could not survive. Amongst the most affected populations, the people of color, especially Black Americans and immigrants have been suffering most. This research focuses on immigrant working women from the Middle East, whose life journeys are filled in with several traumas, some intensified during the pandemic. This paper provides two oral history records of two Iranian American working mothers, Aida Mohajer and Mrs. Ebrahimi, who carry historical traumas experienced in two different countries with two different cultures, i.e. Iran, and the USA. The intervieweesΓÇÖ stories show how the experience of trauma is related to the social class and what imposed social factors beyond choice can determine the class and different approaches to traumas.

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Reverend Bob Penton conducted by dindria barrow on June 1, 2022. In this interview, Bob shares his story-lessons that give us insight into the way he moves through the world. Bob has us contemplate our purpose in life and how money does not make a person rich in character. Bob has performed many services and duties in our city as well as conducted protests against violence which had an impact on neighbors near and far.