From Robert P. Owens, State Property Officer, Columbus, Ohio.
Mrs. Gertrude Hendricks has been with the Works Projects Administration for he past five years. She worked directly under me from February 1936 to September 1936 as District Supervisor of Professional and Service Division in Warren, Ohio.
Since that time she has served in various capacities within the organization carrying out the duties of State Home Economic Consultant from September 1936 to July 1938; District Supervisor of Professional and Service Projects in Columbus, Ohio, from July 1938 to November 1939; State Supervisor of School Lunch Program from November 1939 to the present time. During the above mentioned dates she has worked under the following State Directors of the Professional and Service Divisions: Mrs. Dorothy Fishback, Mrs. Alma Kerr, now Regional Representative in Chicago, and Miss Mildred Thrasher.
From Mildred M. Thrasher, State Director, Division of Professional and Service Projects
Mrs. Gertrude E. Hendricks, 751 High Street, Worthington, Ohio, has been employed in the Professional and Service Division of the Works Projects Administration in Ohio in several capacities since February 24, 1936. Mrs. Hendricks was District Supervisor of Women’s and Professional Projects in Warren District from February 24, 1936 to September 16, 1936 at which time the Warren District was consolidated with the Youngstown District and Mrs. Hendricks was appointed as Supervisor of Women’s Projects in the State Office. She was employed in this capacity and as State Home Economics Consultant until July 1, 1938 when she was appointed as District Supervisor of Professional and Service Projects (formerly Women’s and Professional
Projects) in the Columbus District. On November 25, 1939 she was appointed as State Supervisor of the School Lunch and Matron Service Project, resigning from the last mentioned position on July 23, 1940 because of a reduction in project employment.
Mrs. Hendricks has worked directly under my supervision since January 16, 1937 and I found her very able and conscientious and her work entirely satisfactory. By her training and experience, she is well qualified to technically supervise and direct activities in the Home Economics Field. In addition to this, she has her Masters Degree in Child Development and has had experience in the operation of Nursery Schools.
From J. L. Kelly, District Manager, 337 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio
Mrs. Hendricks was transferred from the State WPA staff to the position of Director of the Professional and Service Division of the District WPA administration on July 1, 1938 at the request of the district office. Her services were desired to effect a reorganization of the district personnel and services at a time when it had been deemed necessary to strengthen the district. The service she rendered certainly warranted the selection.
As a Home Economics technician, Mrs. Hendricks is above average, her ability to teach the subject to others and at the same time carry out practical application, is unusual and was most valuable to this administration.
From Alma B. Kerr Chief Regional Supervisor, Professional & Service Projects
I have been hoping to see you during this past year but it seems that our paths do not cross anymore. I am anxious to hear all about the interesting things you are doing and besides that I want to tell you about some of our plans. If you ever come through Chicago again, do let me hear from you so we can get together.
I have a friend who has a master’s degree in Home Economics and has also been trained in nursery school education. Because her training has made her a technical home economist rather than an executive, she feels that she would prefer working with the Farm Security Administration rather than with the Work Projects Administration. She has had a great deal of experience. First she was State Home Economist for the Ohio WPA program when I was there; then she was made District Supervisor of the P&S Division in Columbus, Ohio District. When the
Hot Lunch Project was put into operation as a statewide project, Mrs. Hendricks was given the job as State Director. However, we have had to curtail our program considerably and most of the Hot Lunch Projects have been closed during the summer. This leaves Mrs. Hendricks without a job excepting in some minor capacity.
Mrs. Hendricks is from Youngstown, Ohio. Her husband dies suddenly leaving her with two little children from whom she is the sole support.