Beth Burdett, Oral History Interview

Oral history interview of Beth Burdett by Marilyn Warenski about status of women in Mormon culture.

utah State Historical Society 603 East South Temple Salt Lake City, Utah 84102 ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM UTAH WOMEN'S PROJECT INTERVIEWEE: Beth INTERVIEWER: Mari SUBJECT: Mormon Women Miss Burdett's office Orson Spencer Hal I Burdett Iyn Warinski University DATE OF Supposing W: B: INTERVIEW: begin we about yourself Wei I, I in High was Apri I did at the bring W: this in school when and then went to married in some interview by having you tel I I but I moved to I ived a me a little bit was work at the of California and going to Medical University Tribune and then started Perhaps the field that you Idaho unti I I was lived there for four years, chi Idhood sweetheart from where he graduate in Nevada and Ogden, Utah, Berkely University you up to date It does. 1975 Utah, 1942,to Chicago Chicago 4, and your education. born after that in I of Utah of Ogden, School Chicago, teaching married was in the and at we right were Northwestern. worked for awhi Ie Chicago area. enough? you should tel I graduated in. us a little bit about your job now -­ That 2 BURDETTE B: I'm That at the took Mexico University in Los We were I Angeles. any rate Dentistry in might say married, although into B: I let's problems, Presbyterian if I was not country Iy, I had because I at al I. and my mother's baptized come always a I iked already As fami Mormon. a Hospital his Iy Utah, were very I Hospital, Sunset at I iving there, because eight years had was or practicing parents Ogden, I on born back to Utah to brother back to matter of Chi Idren's come work the army. Indiana. a knew that in San Antonio and he wanted to of course, was was the army Primary and had son during Chi Idren's Ogden, fami at some wanted to switch I husband and then -- this would have been about see one Angeles, residency see. So, for when my I'd gone and Our first Spanish. except in Los in decided I in he decided his and married, active Mormon W: there a degree Idren's Hospital were run For reluctant then to was Spanish reason stayed been in some Angeles, Ogden I Minor had finished his at Chi Berkeley. so in studied I, Wei at and studied Then for awhi Ie. undergraduate an school, finished medical (laughter) degree a teaching credential city schools in the was He'd been raised practice. I I of Mexico. We Los in after he scattered around the were Primary, And then a took I and then work and took taught there about four years we English graduate took this Masters And then when he not I where in degree at USC in Spanish. for awhi Ie, Spanish. period Chicago. of degree a did for awhi Ie when City to took I Angeles Los Masters a to Mexico in the English. in University went to we I Wei I, now? Berkeley at I in a not feel ing likely we had after Mormon. we that we'd to be fact, my father's fami Iy jack jack so an were 3 BURDETTE baptized. not W: So you B: Unti W: Oh. B: During this period were I, wei I wait it see fami Mormon I the time then Iy. I a I twenty, I year a Mormon or Nothing about the way religion. was in than that more I church, I far as religion W: Well, you mentioned B: Wei I I, by realize that now that you were course, that you mix was was -- I Iy, if in apprehensive motives, you for sixteen was fami much of Iy a whether difference, of they available, more three years active course. was so fairly know. was from where about my One's Wei I, free. if I or went to I've gone to the So that about of wished to smoke Idaho and Nevada I've wandered knew I sixteen unti I particularly reflective the Catholic. and is concerned. time, of or own bit of a fami remember went to whatever church Methodist, the Presbyterian as to my Religious discussion free to. as two In other orthodox an was really isn't it so lived at home In other words my drink, anyone fact, it, It didn't make we I you so thing. by raised suppose from the time was baptized, was I'd been active before and that not. or I being It mattered not at al I heritage. remained Mormon Mormon so, sixteen. and cultural social a probably spent maybe in the Mormon Church. maybe was Ogden, in whole chi Idhood of It was, oh was I when living was somewhat of a didn't have baptized was when sort of was I words I -- moving husband likely the we background were. back to Utah. and his fami to attach, Iy. it 4 BURDETTE B: attach to me, seems He wanted very much to emotional. purely because he said he apprehensive attach tired of was apprehensions and my were object fear to the really didn't know, just vague really didn't I W: You have how many chi Idren? B: Three W: And you B: Wei I, then unti I 64. practice in moved to We were our there time on It seems jobs, practices they to be same League. to that were period doing thing were joined We the Junior unusual I Course, I now. the or knew forth so you're beginning. the do with to And the You I So, fear. right after the bui It up Contry Club, gave AI I in al I I don't think. of affluence and thing wondering why fol without we were it's -- a a doing the at that quickly, lovely very parties, Wei that same I I, pattern. thinking we I think. home and I fairly joined pattern that's not too (laughter) lowing even a lot of a think high school people came a recession, the lack of the We bui It I and from my Money war. the were Ogden, people inflation, quickly. we in lot of young a lived there I -- that time he bui It up born lot of had we lived there during were a think that the period, same We so other two chi Idren rise there so quickly. in 61, and he did too. the partly know. Ogden in 1949. divorced made many friends. days in is Ogden? we and nothing that has that don't know what I ike that are something He had ulcers and You then. to back to Utah, come Angeles. Los think fears I about. lived idealogical tag kind of some AI I we thing think that of were -- us seemed doing bui the Iding homes, 5 BURDETTE B: buying clothes, going pattern because he ended up I had then it a having a operated I So, I people and W: Because he B: Well, was an he wasn't a presumably was it pain down a and Iy, doubt about no a Maybe not. or religious tag but he's the very active Mormon, weren't I and home want to for at little guilty reasons thing supposed first, pretend, we and then about the way to realize that my relatives came that kind of Am Church, and since made to feel to feel period a painful He for very was don't know -- how much sure two very different gui Ity in I was were the guilty, beginning it anyway, raised not they in my I us really smoked in am? as because our I was I Iter-some Iy, in my home or about this. don't particularly you and to didn't fami own welcome became confused about what did feel who wanted one doing who wanted the one had another situation. they drank. gui Ity I I like the fact that that or of course, You do feel for active, bel ieving Mormon? stay within being problem. difference. the on were we and he's the particularly I know? first and was it. it, and I'm not in chi Idren to go to the Mormon Church, the in bed and that great deal, prolem. one serious a was whole a becoming uneasy, bad back lamenectomy a was becoming was how does psychosomatic got involved religion put could we developed a he moved out at this time and -- it had to do with was or lot of a for the fami think that the church of had know he in bed and had was was upsetting He decided to busy. I and on, back fusion. and very was back fusion and of about three years. me it I knew that I I I who moved out. one don't know whether sti I I I the was There little further. a think my husband, I it and uneasy about or didn't question except that I and Vegas to Las -- have talked about. reason there isn't 6 BURDETTE B: wrong with I finally decide I'm I'm going new to go going basis and one accept yourself, which about what you are, W: So you at that time B: Yes. He left and decided that I to were get on me rid of made to feel That was strength W: Right. B: And to causing managed no to admit a point to going is get continue, you're plateau, new you've got that over succomb, to whole to ing gui Ity feel another. or divorce and the decision me that I had to one in my get I that I lived. was I decided not going (Laughter) to believe what knew what I believed, So I had to al I I had mine. of the pressures some of the pressures Mormonism, pretending finally was rid of finally I But I I had to be knew didn't believe. to do was have the it. difficulty, for not this of guess, thing one the pressure of live that way you condemned I'm whole a enough, I've got to make am decide to you far to become divorced. back and came ridiculous. me and when inferior because of the way that there was I as whether or you've got that in various ways and was imperfect pushed was properly, live think. Prior to that it seemed to that I I something was don't I but when have to establ ish criteria, means would get I give up, then you the and to continue to sort of of things, gui Ity going living, on is that there Improperly, raised was out of tune with decision whether whether I -- feel to make you seems (laughter) me unhappy, I'm am what you a Everything support. any being see. and if what I I get ceased to be didn't believe a rid of one Mormon then in pressure that I could being anyway, you was not be see. (laughter) 7 BURDETTE B: So that/removed pressure from ward in when me I was wrote the basic doctrine of got I home and as far since then that I interesting was that history am not way than motives. W: You have didn't believe and defend except by some else to believe that, explain had part has only thing look Jo, that occurred sent to my been that that so not and did things was it remained si lent that friends who knew had least had been at of the the is rather considerably do you -­ more real ize that that what you have done would have been I and its The did who said, I of the Church try to really. (laughter) said myself sort of they them the way can from something secondary means. explain my through that actions the motives that I said I If I certainly haven't even it comforts better that were my real That's their choice. preempted my next question you felt about yourself linfluenced those you explained any more career. than adultery, been accused of sombody know. as admission of going The Church for far beginning one one of bishop was had not attended and was had enough to cope with anyway as an who man that the home missionaries was (laughter) found I Mormon because a concerned. was about Church in the I felt I as divorce a That removed me. for years which the church wish to be considered to be I letter to the a told him what I 10 years then and when off great weight a lived, and I'd known him and stated that I I in which that -- as feelings your a and individual to add to that woman in ity, in and some some I ways. wanted to ask you how in what ways the Mormon Church ways your self you've explained discoveries. subject? You've launched a that because Would you have very successful present 8 BURDETTE B: tt isn't that, Wei I in you may know, trouble after the We me. I Ogden. would chastise me about my had one used to operation good friends, were I because helpful to and me I want you to know point of view. he'd mother something or werl. I school is chi of fact my job You an B: I a job. glamourous by comparison There's not much I glory think there's is hard work, really I natured person to treat attempt being with a in being glory more a he was wife and even think is that pay very teaching much do to a As mother. it. a matter (laughter) Because needed job a rather than pursuIng a profession actively because you wanted that went to work because I had to have money. Oh once I destruct if myself because dai I Iy I had made the decision that it would turned back. I hope hadn't the I you've look at what -- education, pursuing decision, a think. went to work because you couldn't turn back, a as doctor's wife and raising wife and than you it doesn't really if you away a as me teaching school think It's hard work and you're giving yourself said really said do you And he But at any rate, Idren, and keeping house, then you're pretty said. W: I and It's just glamourous? good a didn't want to take up my duties I like is after. or chastising -- lot. a me could talk to him about I in any way never about my McQuarry, giving was talked we because he different person before the divorce saying something something and he said Mormonism better than about anyone, and very him when my back see Bruce Dr. friend of mine, I that simply be I no, was on once I my own, setting myself had to go ahead. I had made that used to that I up to self just say to have the courage and the wisdom to carry this out slightest hope that I could succeed. I simply knew 9 BURDETTE B: I I I'm am right feel I to do what going they'l was may not be I think why see did in lived interpretation I, I possibly poor as a to hope in the specimen as really do I I describe can in Salt Lake it best with showed it to professors, it at my house at was is the most that anymore. saw it then. anyhow that That if that party; a I I was he have had been everything painted as if I were a But on that campus, ever wearing sees up 101 I I can see ipops I'm not that in the one of the You're not kind of mask, and that was like and sort of the it, but it is the way I member of the church, came me it and he said seen. a After taken when was looked at lollipops smi Ie upon my face. it. example. three chi Idren and friend of mine here everything a my muscles did looked a picture a little, and the realized that always pretend What would be your roles? concrete a This ay not be the way church way even had phony looking smi Ie pretending felt. I I rather I awhile, for picture. sort of in women's women were that how would you describe the community, Mormon a my chi Idren face going (laughter) them. to don't know, I of that? guess I'd been and fact that me. that way. Because you Wei nothing but it now, for it and the I'm better than now, I'm is best for them. me it seemed to is the way for my chi Idren; doing the best Mormon Church attitude about B: self destruction they may blame succeed and can future W: I used to say but it turned back I that if and I then roses had to and forth, so talking cosmetically, picture right I've got to pretend that everything is now, and my lollipops and 10 BURDETTE B: Wei I, when roses. things had better face disasters and catastrophes that I I pattern. really not been wei I people Very not. serious I got we couldn't find W: I a felt had No. and an I certainly place light women thing and easy and mean I'm -- them what as in people is life and are and lollipops this know we going not into forced to rose or that are a things, something. somebody has I And, get help. petal they causes about serious talking girl a occur different as just that you don't I world for that parts think that Mormon attempts that one I think of the United fun and think in any way from non-Momon if your can women find life are it have we States. We in the whole world always to make everythinq don't think I women described? really. fun, pretend it is. I paint cannot catastrophes and other faced. to be in other really don't. Do you in that's Disneyland, easy and I those really don't. area and W: or Do you view Mormon other than this 18: know those to face those which I or relationships that incestious think that we are the think divorce has illnesses, the kind of catastrophes that chi Id to be brutalized an and I are in place a life in your roses that there was you know. 'think there faced. and felt did not have serious ones, mean disasters that befal I My feeling it. you darn wei I church lollipops to be cease isn't pleasant it just I is lots of places. oppressed in any way? have seem and imited someplace, pleasant light and to Mormons. " BURDETTE B: W: (long pause) Wei I I variety B: Anyone are oppressed is praised for be submissive and it's think Womenhood. -- The act like And that to me want, then you and W: and I think Mormon is are don't put oppressed. its both sides seems to say You' I I -- if you get new a not oppressed. That's so unhappy when couldn't watch the television over a You at KUED, Iy. decide get (laughter) if this is what you If you fol low the pattern to probably have feel Mormon than I Rights ings the rebroadcast of during the day, thing that but night, I it that get is, again, Amendment and about that? saw and the whole to see Do you I can you wi I I fur coat! Equa in Utah. extent some flatter your husband and you to ask you what you th ink about the dealt with pain they decide they see. But you wanted cast you rug and pretty materialistic. with that. was a would say that Fascinating more I are anyone else necessari on I of, I Oh yes. it no was to submission, then they wi' I al low themselves part of the whole universal situation. it women if Now, see. a how B: happy are life, Fascinating Womenhood book, get? you there certain amount of a pussy cat and you purr and you bui Id him up, a what wil I own because what Helen Andelin Actually answer. isn't will ing to suffer who being submissive, you want the rewards of I certain a about that. charge of his in to be opinions of expect I ask that not because it. Since I watch the rebroad­ and I could feel 12 BURDETTE B: I myself change. told equanimity, but my boy the people, the case and were I But, (laughter) instance, both prepared, wei I it seemed to who opposed by and large arid emotional a to carry the going were and irrational feeling that whether had the feeling for very been presented, have psychosomatic symptoms, when I it hits body but my way I me says we loss should That's right. have injustice it. But little and We to listened I it when being I it and Amendment Equal Rights i rr-l+ab I was and arguments pro had Had fee Ii ng. e guess been or each can the front, as presentation that really bothered me. I it's there. that I saw I injustice, That's the can make up it's Georgia Petersen think is that if it hits someplace, piecemeal, probably go injustice or had don't know where I and head in my deny it, you know, probably on occurring, and con which it's because something happens when has -­ anything or to the material relationship Now her point of view it they but accused of often man forth, and yet they knew they so heard those had th is can't by fighting do. knew in my stomach, I reacts. felt about for that I d it hits -- I and had seen think gross rambling are and the logical, somewhat were women logical, and them arguments among the injustice had prevai led at the end of that. then wou what were day. they argued something else I them it had been the that the vote of presented done their homework having control led were some -- They emotional. fairly were me they that and that the was non-Mormon who Mormon and had divided they it of part and Amendment came, and thing with equanimity. it with couldn't take very unhappy, Equal Rights for the I !emperature my could take that kind of I that an9 flushed getting were me very, was for women so I if as may have thought that rising. were felt we as probably a can result of do that. that 13 BURDETTE W: ideas of how to preconceived plans, had legislators You felt that the vote? B: Well, I'd legislators to purely irrational, were preconceived they voted out of they listened to those I notion And, I to vote is that preconceived plan, because feel if they voted, then voted the way then before the legislation being brought don't think they voted that I'd have (laughter) about them can or and arguments, haven't very much hope for other legislators. I I'd think that the people absurd that's the most kind thing that -- didn't that, because if I have to feel irrationally on everything. W: There's much speculation about whether a control feel B: You ling factor final not the Mormon Church vote of the ERA people. was How do you about that? know, I don"t know. of the legislators mostly what that when a was in the papers totally to vote else involved. surprised don't know enough about the to know whether that group of seem I'm in the or If and it or legislators on what was I isten to the basis of is the is true I'm saddened by it. yes. not. rumored. You arguments (very jumbled) have to feel like that and then emotion, then there must be something church, wei I, very sad that that would occur, or religious background it's not unusual, If that's what it is I I suppose. think it is 14 BURDETTE W: that Mormon anticipate B: nationally With the active Women's Movement Wei I, a I think lot of widowed they already to them -- ideal to have a loving kind of emotional or the church and Movement, you and going are husband and they that and and forth, so They're going and some some of of have women support they them wi I I find see need There's it. whether the comes from it within find it it there, things aithough it's and to have to them wi I I be become have other al I forth, not They're already finding see. wil I or intellectual financial, won't, find to so do. from other sources, some there wi I I thing, one who, they don't plan it, wil I pregnancies unwanted point pretending the church area They divorced. or occur no ths in women For have been. do you this movement? by be affected wi I I women internationally, and in the Women's some of them. (laughter) W: Do you about B: Wei the Women's Movement see in any women I, it would wouldn't it? would like to W: So you do B: Wei I, about I see think it. with if the Women's Movement lot better. stay within it conf,'ict policy the Mormon Church way? be wiser A in as (laughter) the church and are a the lot of pol icy, women that sti I I in conflict. it's in conflict and yes, After al I There changed in any I think it institution where the is. There's leadership is no doubt totally 15 BURDETTE B: non-female, you feel women bound to stay they see You can't have to. equal are that it that. equality and There chance to be a a if And is. it institution, they're they're going If isn't in the Mormon Church. it, they may want in and want ignore of the decision part to making body. W: B: them Do you see say Counci I It -- looks as about the I church, if moving into that of the Twelve it wouldn't organization or W: to of the Church reconci ling B: In general, you're Like George You feel Orwe II You did not I Since it, you know. likely seems am I me enough not within the would be to know that it giving a is not about the Mormon Church Did you having difficulty negative have any feel ings about attitude about divorce at the time of your divorce? made to feel says that way when the Church. W: something itself to divorce. that Mormon Church It know. to don't think I immediate future. in the You mentioned that into the Bishops? don't know anything about occur in the Mormon Church, happen right away. random guess from the outside. likely area we are a' I ecua you're divorced, It's just the way participate that you our are I, but lesser citizen, a some are and that hasn't social structure in the Mormon Church as a is. more you see. equal than others. entirely to Yes. divorced person. do with 16 BURDETTE B: I No. didn't. I really don't know much about think I it. that was just W: So that you didn't B: I really don't afterwards way. I think came know much on the That's their free agency. B: That's right. a pleasure like to add to this B: I think your Thank you very much. some Mine was friends. the Church individual. to talk with you. and Some they discussion just my balance -- Right now it's the same friends outside the Church. individuals, act upon their Do you no matter own conscious. anything you have would interview? questions anything else. W: it. thinks about divorce, W: It's been is there through individual depends what the church W: about friends within have it experience, are very thorough, myself. I can't think of