Irene Lipson

Born of Hungarian immigrant parents, Irene worked as a forelady in the stranding mill for three years during WW II.

I came from a poor immigrant family. I lived on Third Street as a youngster, I was born there. I enjoyed it because I was a real sports oriented child. I played all kinds of sports and I kept myself pretty busy when I was growing up.

On women factory workers: What kind of work did they do? They ran the stranding machines, making airplane wire. They worked just like the men. There were no exceptions, no special benefits or anything. They worked all shifts. They did everything the men did.

On the War years: War had broken out, Pearl Harbor, and my husband volunteered to go into the Navy and I thought I should do my part for the war effort. I guess we were all young and doing a job. We kidded around, we had fun, and we did our job. Of course, we worried about the boys overseas. I know I came in with the notion I was doing something for my country. I am sort of tomboyish, so it came natural for me to get a job working in the Roebling factory.

On Roebling: You ask an immigrant who the President of the United States was and they'd say John A. de Robe. It had a very excellent reputation. It was one of the best companies around.