Oral History, Mary Gnezda Winter

In this oral history, recorded at the Old Worthington Library (820 High Street) on March 5, 2020, Mary Gnezda Winter reflects on her experiences living and raising a family in Worthington during the 1950s and ‘60s.

The interview includes extensive discussion of Winter’s experiences with education. All three of her children—Nicole (Niki), Terry and Eric—attended University School, an experimental K-12 program run by The Ohio State University from 1930-1968, and then transferred to Worthington schools after the University School’s closure. She also discusses her role in the efforts to develop Worthington’s first kindergarten classes in 1958.

Winter also describes her experiences as the primary breadwinner for her family at a time when that was unusual for women. Her husband, Walter, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1957, just after the birth of their third child, and became unable to work. Winter shares the difficulties she and her family experienced due to the lack of support for families in their situation at that time. She expresses gratitude for Gladys Waite, a social worker and the parent of her daughter Niki’s classmate at University School, who put the family in touch with resources available to them. She also discusses the social stigma faced by individuals with disabilities in the 1950s and ‘60s.

The interview closes with Winter discussing the reasons she appreciates the Worthington community, including its charming downtown area and focus on character development and family activities.