Pearl Moreau

Pearl Moreau nee Wong was born in Greenwood, British Columbia, in the Boundary District between Midway and Grand Forks. It was noted for smelting and mining. Her father’s search for employment took the family to Vancouver in 1931. Pearl first entered the workforce in 1944 as a waitress. She worked for a time at Fraser Cafe, returning in 1955. Her mother handled the care of her child. The Fraser Cafe was a union shop and Moreau became active in organizing, participating in negotiations and serving on the Vancouver District Labour Council.

Audio Interview [1979]

Description

Mrs. Moreau discusses the conditions in waitress work in the 1940’s; childcare for working women; her work in the Fraser Cafe; what motivated her become active in the union; her roles in the Vancouver District Labour Council; fighting for issues important to women including equal fringe benefits, sick benefits, and opposition to sexual harassment; women’s solidarity in the face of sexual harassment by their bosses; being at odds with her union and voting independently; running against Ed Carlson for President as an opposition candidate claiming a need for stronger democracy in the union.

Transcription

Full transcription: Moreau, Pearl

Title: [Pearl Moreau – 1/2]

Creator: Diamond, Sara

Contributor: Moreau, Pearl

Subject: Women–Employment–British Columbia ; Women labor union members–British Columbia ; Women–Employment–British Columbia–History–20th century

Date Created: 1979-07-26

Type: Audio recording

Genre: Interviews

Extent: 1 audio cassette

Format: audio/mp3

Language: English

Identifier: OBJ_649_sideA_01

Is Part Of: Sara Diamond fonds

Series: Women’s Labour History Project

Source: Original Format: Simon Fraser University Archives. Sara Diamond fonds

Rights: Media provided for research and reference use only. Permission to publish, copy or otherwise use of this media must be obtained from the Crista Dahl Media Library & Archives.

Title: [Pearl Moreau – 1/2]

Creator: Diamond, Sara

Contributor: Moreau, Pearl

Subject: Women–Employment–British Columbia ; Women labor union members–British Columbia ; Women–Employment–British Columbia–History–20th century

Date Created: 1979-07-26

Type: Audio recording

Genre: Interviews

Extent: 1 audio cassette

Format: audio/mp3

Language: English

Identifier: OBJ_649_sideB_01

Is Part Of: Sara Diamond fonds

Series: Women’s Labour History Project

Source: Original Format: Simon Fraser University Archives. Sara Diamond fonds

Rights: Media provided for research and reference use only. Permission to publish, copy or otherwise use of this media must be obtained from the Crista Dahl Media Library & Archives.