This is a guest post by Stephen Winick in the American Folklife Center.
Jeff Hafler, a hairdresser from Wonder Valley, California, appears in the series “America Works.” He was interviewed and photographed by ethnographer Candacy Taylor. AFC Occupational Folklife Project collection.
Listen and Subscribe to “America Works” at this link!
Sarah Fortin at work in the net loft of Reidar’s Trawl & Scallop Gear & Marine Supply, New Bedford, Massachusetts. Photo: Phillip Mello. AFC Occupational Folklife Project collection.
The American Folklife Center is bringing the voices of workers throughout the country to listeners with “America Works,” a new podcast series that celebrates the diversity and tenacity of the American workforce during a time of economic crisis and transition.
Each 10-minute episode of “America Works” introduces listeners to a worker whose first-person narrative adds to the wealth of our shared national experience. The first four episodes are now available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and at loc.gov/podcasts. A new episode will be released weekly and featured on the Library’s social media channels beginning Thursday, Sept. 10.
” ‘America Works’ is a testament to the wisdom, wit, knowledge and dedication of today’s working Americans,” said Nancy Groce, host of “America Works” and senior folklife specialist at AFC. “It is inspirational to hear these stories and realize how many committed and optimistic fellow citizens are out there working to improve their communities, support their families and build a better future for us all.”
Each “America Works” episode is based on an interview from the AFC’s ongoing Occupational Folklife Project, a multi-year initiative to document the culture of contemporary American workers during an era of economic and social transition. Over the past 10 years, fieldworkers have compiled almost 1,000 interviews from across the country, documenting the experiences of more than 100 professions. More than 400 of these full-length interviews have been made available online.
Listen and Subscribe to “America Works” at this link.
Given the serious economic challenges everyday Americans are faced with during the COVID-19 pandemic, the stories told in “America Works” are a timely reminder of the spirit of the American workforce. The insights of those featured will be added to the historical record of the nation’s library.
Lorraine Davis, a homeless shelter worker, working with the women at a family social night where women and girls sew and bead regalia for powwow and the men and boys make drums and drumsticks. Photo: Catherine ten Broeke. AFC Occupational Folklife Project collection.
The first season of “America Works” reflects the occupational and regional diversity that characterize the entirety of the Occupational Folklife Project’s collection. Listeners can dive into the stories of workers who provide some of the most essential services to our society.
Some of the season’s featured workers include Joyce Vegar of Coos County, Oregon, a home healthcare worker who explains the patience and compassion required to provide a certain level of care for another. Chicago ironworker Sharon Sisson shares an unforgettable tale of how she won the respect of a chauvinistic male co-worker who was harassing her on a job site. Jeff Hafler of Wonder Valley, California, describes what he loves about his work as a hairstylist and beauty shop owner, why customers confide in their stylists and the pride he takes in working in the service industry.
“Having a vocation,” Hafler said, “is often a better guarantee of employment than a college degree.”
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