Interview with Joan Anderson Growe (1935- ), St. Cloud State University Oral History, St. Cloud, Minnesota
In an oral history conducted by St. Cloud State University Professor of History Calvin (Cal) Gower on August 5, 1981, Joan Anderson Growe discussed her family and educational background. Joan Anderson Growe was born in 1935 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her father's parents came from Sweden, while her mother's family was of German descent. She described the few career opportunities for women at the time. However, her parents encouraged her to go to college. After graduating from Buffalo High School in 1953, she attended St. Cloud State to become a teacher. She discussed her decision to complete her degree in 3 years, graduating in 1956. She gave much attention to the living situation on-campus, as well as the social activities she was involved in. She claimed that she attended college at a time when students were not focused on world affairs, but only on their own lives and surroundings, something that changed drastically in the 1960s. She also believed that the university always provided plenty of social activities, from sporting events to dances, to keep her busy. After graduating from St. Cloud State in 1956, Growe briefly summarized her experiences, which included teaching in Bloomington as well as becoming certified to teach special needs students. After becoming involved in the anti-Vietnam movement and the League of Women, she became interested in politics. In 1972, she won an election to the Minnesota state legislature. In 1974, Growe was elected as Secretary of State and won reelection in 1978. She also briefly discussed the ways in which St. Cloud State University prepared her for her future career.
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| Format: | Sound Recording Nonmusical |
| Language: | English |
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St. Cloud State University
1981
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| Online Access: | https://collection.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:7414 |