Oral History Transcripts

These Oral History transcripts are based on recordings made by Benjamin Grillot. These recordings are on deposit in the Ward M. Canaday Center as a part of MSS-139, The Acklin Stamping Company Records. The recordings were transcribed by hand and any errors, typographical or otherwise, are human ones and should be pointed out to Ben Grillot.

Linda Straub - Acklin Stamping Plant's current Union Chair. Linda has been employed at Acklin since 1969 in a variety of capacities from production operator to her current position as a Quality Control Technician. Her reflections on the nature of the Union, the changes in the metal-stamping industry, the future of Acklin Stamping as well as her experiences with such issues as worker safety, are represented in her oral history.

Cordia Ross - The first African-American woman hired at Acklin. Cordia worked at Acklin from 1956 - 1974, primarily on the small production lines but also working in Brazing, Inspection, and Shipping. Cordia's Oral History deals with racial integration, the shift from private ownership to Tecumseh Products, as well as her experiences both on and off the factory floor.