Lamb, Betty

Chronology

• November 19, 1896: Leo Griffin Spofford born in Tiptonville, Tennessee
• 1917: graduated from the University of Tennessee, receiving her B.A. in sociology and home economics
• 1932 - 1936 : Leo was a field worker for government relief work under the Unemployment Relief Committee in Shreveport, Louisiana
• 1936 - 1939 : Leo worked as the State Director of the Women's and Professional Projects Division, where she supervised the activities of 10,000 non-construction workers, and the art, music and writers' projects of the WPA
• 1939 - 1942 : Leo was the Chief Regional Supervisor for the Employment for Eligible Unemployed, WPA, New Orleans
• 1942 - 1943 : Leo was the Regional Supervisor of the War Public Services Division, Federal Works Agency, Fort Worth, Texas
• 1943: Leo worked as the Special Assistant to Assistant Commissioner, Federal Works Agency, Washington, D.C.
• 1943 - 1946 : Leo was the Director of the New Orleans Department of War Emergency Children's Service, where she created a plan for child care centers under federal supervision, making it possible for mothers to work in war plants. Leo was the Regional Director of UNRRA (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Association) in Hunan Province for 8 months. Arriving in May 1946, she helped establish, at its highest point, 20 refugee camps and orphanages.
• 1947: Leo returned to her home to New Orleans
• 1949: Leo opened a gumbo restaurant and a praline shop in New Orleans

From the guide to the Leo Griffin Spoffod papers, 1942-1992, 1946-1947, (Claremont Colleges. Library. Special Collections, Honnold/Mudd Library.)