Sarah Broadwell

Location of Interview
Collection Name

The Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project

Description

The Working Waterfront Festival Community  Documentation Project is an ongoing oral history project documenting the history and culture of the commercial fishing industry and other port trades. The project was begun in 2004 in conjunction with the Working Waterfront Festival, an annual, education celebration of commercial fishing culture which takes place in New Bedford, MA. Interviewees have included a wide range of individuals connected to the commercial fishing industry and/or other aspects of the port through work or familial ties. While the majority of interviewees are from the port of New Bedford, the project has also documented numerous individuals  from other ports around the country. Folklorist and    Festival Director Laura Orleans and Community Scholar/Associate Director Kirsten Bendiksen are Project Leaders. The original recordings reside at the National Council for the Traditional Arts in Maryland with listening copies housed at the Festival's New Bedford office.

Date of Interview
09-23-2007
Transcribers

Janice Gadaire Fleuriel

Transcript
Biographical Sketch

Sarah Broadwell is a female fisherwoman from Montauk, Long Island. She is of European American ethnicity. Broadwell was born in Denville, New Jersey, and spent her childhood visiting her grandparents in Sag Harbor, Long Island. She has been working in Montauk for five to six years and has built a close-knit community with fellow fishermen, who she considers as her family. Despite being small in stature, Broadwell is known for her hard work and dedication to her profession. She has a strong sense of respect and boundaries, and is not afraid to assert herself when necessary. Broadwell has a good relationship with the captains' wives, often meeting them before trips to assure them of her professional intentions. She takes pride in her work and finds it fulfilling, especially after a successful trip.

Scope and Content Note
This interview with Sarah Broadwell, conducted by Janice Gadaire Fleuriel on September 23, 2007, provides an in-depth look into the life and experiences of a female fisherwoman in Montauk, Long Island. Broadwell discusses her background, her journey into the fishing industry, and her experiences working in a male-dominated field. She shares her thoughts on the community of fishermen in Montauk, describing them as a family. Broadwell also talks about the challenges and rewards of her work, including the physical demands, the camaraderie on the boats, and the satisfaction of a successful trip. She also discusses her interactions with the captains' wives and her efforts to maintain professional boundaries. The interview provides valuable insights into the experiences of women in the fishing industry, as well as the dynamics of the fishing community in Montauk.


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