Description
Mabel C. Harris, also professionally known as Virginia O'Neal and Martha Logan, was a trained home economist who, after working
for Swift and Company and Kerr Glass Manufacturing Corp., was hired by Vons grocery stores in 1960 to be the first home economist
hired by a supermarket chain. Her papers consist of photographs, scrapbooks, correspondence, clippings, ephemera, and cookbooks
relating to her career in the Los Angeles food and grocery industry from the 1940s to the 1970s.
Background
Mabel C. Harris, also professionally known as Virginia O'Neal and Martha Logan, was a trained home economist who graduated
from Montana State College in 1942. She moved to the Los Angeles area and worked in the food and grocery industry for companies
like Kerr Glass and Swift and Company before being hired by Vons grocery stores in 1960. Vons publicized her as "the first
graduate home economist to join a supermarket chain staff." Her duties were to "help the public with recipes, menus and buying
information." Harris met with women's groups, spoke at schools and supermarket openings, wrote and tested recipes, provided
tips and recipes on radio and television, and made other appearances to teach the public about food preparation. She pledged
to "help women get more fun and less work out of good menus and meals." [adapted from the Los Angeles Times, obituary, November
11, 2002]
Extent
4.7 Linear Feet
5 boxes
Restrictions
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to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Availability
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