Blanche Narodick
Journalist and international Red Cross volunteer, Blanche Gordon Narodick graduated magna cum laude from the University of Washington and earned a masters degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, launching her career as a journalist, ghost writer, and public relations consultant. Raised in part by her aunt and uncle, she met her husband, Dr. Phillip Narodick, in graduate school and refers to their partnership as a “true love story.” During World War II Blanche worked with the American Red Cross and has continued that affiliation, initiating an international chapter in Seattle, promoting “Holocaust tracing” helping Jewish families locate relatives, and founding a sister chapter in Shanghai, China. For her work, the ARC awarded Blanche the Harriman Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service in 1989.
Narodick begins the interview by discussing her childhood in Seattle and her relationship with her family. She highlights her family history and remembers her religious upbringing in Seattle. Narodick's family valued education. She discusses studying journalism and being in a sorority at the University of Washington. She remembers graduate school at Northwestern University and shares stories from her work and life in Chicago after graduating. She remembers her marriage fondly and discusses her work as a writer and unpaid PR work for Jewish organizations. She talks about the impact that World War Two had on her and her family and the hobbies that she engaged in during that time. Narodick reflects on her work with the American Red Cross and her friendships with women. She ends by talking about family and her personal philosophy about life.
