Pam Stratford left Lydney Grammar School aged 15 and began work at the pin factory in Whitecroft. Here she describes her first job there, and also the system of outwork that was an especially valuable source of income for women with children at home.

​Valerie Matthews went to technical college in preparation for a job in office work but here she tells of her real aspiration to join the RAF and travel the world. This was against expectations placed on her, so she stayed working locally. Later in life she travelled extensively including with friends and as lone traveller visiting Washington DC.

Joan Beavan had started in 1965 as a secretary at the Rank's plant in Mitcheldean. Here she describes an industrial dispute and strike by secretaries seeking pay based on their own work and experience, rather than based on the grade of the manager they supported. 

​Ruth Dainty grew up on Tithe Farm at Huntley. She worked in various domestic service jobs in Gloucester, with her treatment varying greatly.  In her last position she felt she was one of the family. Here Ruth remembers what happened once she became engaged.

Jessie Greenhouse grew up in the traveller community, the daughter of a showman. After marrying Cinderford collier Wilfred Orpin her son James was born in 1948 in a tent at Crump Meadow camp. Here James Orpin remembers some of the ways his mother and him, and other traveller families, made a living. 

Until statutory maternity leave was introduced in the 1970s women were routinely dismissed or expected to leave work when they became pregnant, as Meryl Teague recalls here.

In 1964 Glenda Griffiths became pregnant and suffered from morning sickness. Here she describes how she was shown little consideration for her morning sickness and eventually gave up her job. Women who had children were expected to remain at home.