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Oral history interview with Dee Holder [electronic resource], 1998.

Creator: Holder, Idalia (Dee)
Project: Carnegie Corporation project. Pt. 2.
(see all project interviews)
Phys. Desc. :transcript: 95 pages sound file : digital preservation master, WAV files (96 kHz, 24 bit)
Location: Columbia Center for Oral History
Full CLIO record >>

Biographical Note

Director of Personnel and Office Manager, Carnegie Corporation

Scope and Contents

Childhood: Born in Barbados, rural setting, influence of British, importance of church, relatives in America, move to Bronx with mother at age 13, adjustment to life in NYC; education: secondary school in Barbados, importance of education to family, entered high school in U.S., commercial diploma, involvement in school activities, Baruch College night school 1964, B.A. Northeastern University; career: NY Life Insurance Company 1964, becoming secretary to manager, racial makeup of staff, encouragement received from first black officer; marriage 1970: move to Boston, work at NY Life Insurance Co. and Harvard Business school; return to New York: interest in Human Resources work, work for Urban Development Corporation 1973; Carnegie Corporation 1974: personal assistant, initial impressions, supportiveness of small work environment; administrative assistant Carnegie Foundation for Advancement of Teaching (CFAT) 1976-1980: description of CFAT responsibilities, travel opportunities; work and health benefits at Carnegie: support for women and families, flexible scheduling, Carnegie policies as model; assumption of new responsibilities; Director of Personnel and Office Manager 1978; growth of Carnegie in late 1980s: increase of funds, change in organizational structure, effect of change in presidents, helpfulness of administrative committee; overall changes and structure 1970s-present: nature of staff environment, salaries and benefits, hiring and firing, turnover of positions, necessary expertise, staff development, diversity of staff; changes under new president; influence of Andrew Carnegie; personal life: daughter, finding current church.

Subjects

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