A Tupperware party is held every 2.5 seconds somewhere in the world today. Has Tupperware affected you?

Tupperware transformed many lives. For some women, it provided an outlet for ambitions. Tupperware distributor Anna Tate explained, "You have to understand, in the Fifties, women didn't get too much recognition. They were teased on all the comedy shows about 'Boy, she sure spends my money in a hurry.'... These were the jokes of the times."

Tupperware public relations staffer Pat Tahaney said, "We were coming out of World War II... The great American dream was out there for people and Tupperware was a great opportunity for women...Women had gotten used to working during the war effort. And suddenly when the men all came home, they were essentially eliminated. So they were very excited about working. They wanted a career. They wanted to do something. And Tupperware was there, to offer them that career."

Distributor Tom Damigella recalled, "We made a lot of money for those days. To me it was amazing."

What do you think of the Tupperware story? What's your opinion of the postwar consumer boom, the rise of plastics, and other events of the 1950s?

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Your American Experience program about Tupperware brought forth emotions I rarely experience: It made me cry. Why? Because it evoked memories of the 50s, and I experienced a nostalgia for the way things used to be. I don't long for the plight of women in those days -- the inequality, the mindset they belonged only in the home. No, but the program did make me remember how little it took -- a Tupperware party -- to add excitement to womens' lives.

I have vivid memories as a pre-teen in the late 1950s of my mother and grandmother "discovering" Tupperware; of their attending parties "far and wide"; of my mother throwing her own party -- and recalling the friends and neighbors sipping lime sherbert punch and homemade oatmeal cookies while the "demonstration lady" burped" the bowls, dropped them to the floor, and marveled to her audience the wonders of the product. These women from my childhood attended parties because they didn't have much else to entertain themselves. The parties were a brief moment in time when they could escape the "drudgery" of farm work, house work, tending children. Fifty years later, my mother still has many of the pieces she purchased in the 50s, although much of it has been relegated to the attic.

The jewel in the crown of your excellent program was choosing Dinah Shore's "Dear Hearts and Gentle People" recording at end. That's when my tears came, remembering that record was one of the first 78s we bought to play on our Silvertone record player/radio.

Your program was excellent. Thanks for a trip down memory lane.

Sanda Martel
Rogersville, Alabama

My story is one that could be told by countless others across America. It was 1955, I was a new bride and about to become a mother in a few months. My husband was earning a middle-class wage as a self-employed landscaper and we longed for our own home. If it weren't for my selling Tupperware, we would never have been able to own a home right away or furnish it with new furniture. My husband and I are still together. We have 4 successful children (all college educated, thanks to Tupperware sales) and 3 wonderful grandchildren, and plenty of Tupperware that I have had since the 1950s! Thank you Tupperware, for helping to making our American dream come true!

N.W.
Columbus, Ohio

I began my Tupperware journey in 1961, when I became a part-time "dealer", with the goal of earning an extra $10 a week. That changed quickly when I discovered I was making 10 times that amount...and more. The amazing thing to me was it happened without my neglecting our four young children, and didn't have to leave them with 'sitters', but with their dad -- and they all relished this 'alone' time with him. As time passed and successes mounted, we left our California home in 1969 to establish "ships" of our own, first in Rochester, New York, then in Portland, Oregon, where we are to this day. They were good years, and we enjoyed a good life working together. We retired 12 years ago, and last fall we hosted a Tupperware party for a friend which resulted in $1500 in sales -- not bad for "oldie moldie" Tupperware devotees in their 70s now!

Genevieve (Gene) Voorhees
Portland, Oregon

I love a good burp!

Nanci Ezzo
New York, New York

I finished watching your documentary with a feeling of discontent. While the hour was fascinating, and informative, it left the viewer without the true picture of a company that empowered women in the 50's and continues to do so today. I spent 8 amazing years in Tupperware. It was an opportunity for me to earn a fantastic living while fulfulling the most important role in my life, mother to my children. Tupperware gave my family a chance to have those "extras" that make life fun not to mention a brand new company car every two years. In today's two income families, many women struggle to find the balance between work and family that is easily achieved in a Tupperware career.

When people ask me today what the best thing about my Tupperware career was, I am happy to share this thought. It wasn't about the money, or the trips or the cars. It was about the feeling of satisfaction I got from helping someone else achieve their dream, however big or small that dream might be.

I still have many of my closest friends from my Tupperware family. The skills I learned in Tupperware have made me well equipped to tackle anything that comes my way.

Way to go Tupperware! Way to go!

M.C.
Wareham, Massachusetts

Many years ago Mary Siriani was a distributor in the NY area and my friend was a manager for her. We spent many days and into the wee hours of the morning playing MahJong. Mary was a sweet heart and the life of the party. She taught us how to play the game and had a great deal of patience with the novices. She always arrived with many Tupperware containers filled with great food. My friends and I were so happy to see her again, even though it was on TV. We haven't heard from her since she moved away several years ago and often think of her.

N.B.
New Windsor, New York

American Experience replies: Find out more about Mary Siriani and other people featured in the program in the Generation T interactive feature on this site.

Your story has saved Brownie Wise's memory for so many in our community. Tupperware went to great extremes to remove her existence. What a man's world our times have been. Two thumbs up!

Rusty Flynn
Orlando, Florida

My Mom introduced me to Tupperware when I was a little girl. She was and still is a wonderful cook and would always make "extra" tomato sauce, beef stew, chicken soup, salads, etc. and wanted a product to keep the "extra" for a couple more days or to freeze for much later which would make for an easier dinner some other day. I can remember her taking me to and having her own Tupperware parties and telling me what a wonderful product it was.

Well, I got married and had two children and a home of my own in the late 70's. But, even before that I can remember having a Tupperware party at my Mom's for myself to put some items away for when I got married myself. I brought the catalog to work (I was a business teacher in a high school) and my party total was over $700 at that time! I was amazed to say the least and received all these wonderful products. That was the early 70's. After that time, I would have a party every couple of years or so until I got married in 1977. After that I would have a party about once a year in the spring and invite my friends and their children over for a garden party. I had quit working to raise my family and couldn't affort to purchase too much Tupperware so I would have the parties to get it for free. I also liked to cook and but had a large vegetable garden and needed something to freeze my tomato sauce and green beans. Well, I am also into saving money and the environment and didn't want to buy those expensive and not enviromentally-friendly plastic bags. Other plastic products just didn't make the grade and weren't air tight or durable. It had to be Tupperware. I also wanted containers to keep my baking products, rice, pasta, snacks fresh and after finding bugs in my Bisquick box, yuck!!!!, that did it.

In 1988 we were adding on an addition to our house and I was only substitute teaching. A friend of mine was my Tupperware lady and a manager. She had been after me for a while and finally at a friend's party I just blurted out that I want to do what you do. I could use the extra money and it looked like it was something I would like -- also I had a 10-year-old car and she had a van.

I was still hoping to get a teaching position but it was still difficult times for a business teacher -- sales and marketing were interesting to me too. My husband wasn't too sure but I convinced him I wanted to try. Well, in less than a year I became a manager and got my van. My unit did so well I was recognized as the next year's rookie manager of the year with Damigella Dist. of Everett, MA. I was so proud of what I had accomplished, had fun, and was able to get a van for my family too. The money was a big help also. Jubilees were wonderful and I did get a chance to get to one in Florida and was honored in the rose garden there which was thrilling and so motivational.

I was a manager for five years and worked as a consultant/manager a total of eight years. Unfortunately, I wanted to teach again and left Tupperware in the mid 90's. It was a wonderful experience and opportunity I will never forget. I also want to thank the Damigella family for all their support and friendship. It was like being in an extended family and I will always cherish that time.

Jean Anderson
Wakefield, Massachusetts

American Experience replies: Learn more about the Damigellas and other people featured in the program in the Generation T interactive feature on this site.

As a cultural historian I very much enjoyed the program on Tupperware tonight. On a personal note, I am a triplet and my triplet sister was, for a few years in the 1990s, the President of Tupperware (for the United States). After seeing the program tonight I have far greater insight into why my sister argued for the party plan and other direct selling strategies as empowering features in some women's lives. I must admit that I often considered Tupperware (as a "plastic" product, practice, and ideology from the 1950s) to be the height of consumerist superficiality. The program, however, opened my eyes to how and why the sales force used Tupperware to empower themselves at least as much as the corporation used women to build its empire of plastic. Next time I see my sister, I'll have to let her know that I finally get it.

James Abrams
Johnstown, Pennsylvania

I was one of those women that went to Tupperware parties during the '50s .Then in 1964 I went with my engineer husband to Saudi Arabia. I was both suprised and pleased to have the American Embassy recommend that we bring all the Tupperware we could get our hands on. "It's the only thing that will keep your food in good shape in this country." I found that it was really good advice. There was a brisk economy in trading Tupperware and when I left to come back to the USA I sold all I had to others who really needed it.

Back in the USA, I found myself needing to supplement my salary to take care of my 3 children. I was invited to a Tupperware party, bought some more items and realized that I could REALLY SELL this stuff because I REALLY BELIEVED in it.

The kids would help me package the items for delivery, with my daughter, then 13, cross checking the orders. It was a great time, not only financially, but in family togetherness.

Just last night I made veal stew in a wonderful electric cooker I won in the late '70s as a top producer.

I continue to buy Tupperware and appreciate its value in my life on many levels.

Jewell Bradfield Kutzer
St. Augustine, Florida

I remember feeling as if Tupperware saleswomen were in some sort of cult. They had that kind of blind belief in their product. Some of those women made a great deal of money if they were aggressive enough. At the height of Tupperware party mania, I was going to one party a month!

In hindsight, it was very expensive, but there were no alternatives then, like Rubbermaid and Sterlite, and I felt tremendous pressure to buy it. I still have Tupperware that is 30 years old that I use as plant saucers, etc. My grown children will see my old Tupperware and immediately be transported back to specific childhood memories involving Tupperware. It's scary.

K.
Norfolk, Massachusetts

In 1976 our family was living in Rexburg, Idaho at the time the Teton Dam burst. I was a Tupperware dealer at the time. At the time, my husband and I had 3 small children, the oldest nearly 4 years old at the time. We lived in the downstairs apartment in a four-plex. Luckily, the day before the Dam broke, I had deposited my Tupperware money in the bank, and was delivering a replacement piece to a lady the morning of the disaster when we heard the news...

Our section of town had about five feet of water go through town and it burst the apartment door open and filled the apartment with muddy, filthy water. Only the lightbulbs on the ceiling stayed dry. My husband and I entered the apartment the evening of the following day to survey the damage. The water and mud were about knee-deep by that time. That was as far as the water drained out before drains plugged. Of interest, my Tupperware breadkeeper had floated to the ceiling; the bread inside was still dry.

In the following days as we sorted through all we had lost, I wondered about the Tupperware. Could I ever, ever get all the mud and dirt out of the seals and grooves and have it clean enough for use? One day my manager couple and distributor couple (Idaho Falls) showed up and told me that the Tupperware could be cleaned, but that they wanted to take all of my kit and personal Tupperware and replace it with new Tupperware so that I would be ready to service all of those in Rexburg that would be needing to replace Tupperware they had lost. I knew that this was something they didn't HAVE to do, but were willing to do for me. That was one big relief that I didn't have to worry about among the many problems we were dealing with. What a blessing that was! They also informed me that Tupperware dealers from all over the country were sending boxes of used clothing, etc. and that when I was able to come to Idaho Falls to the warehouse, I should see if there was anything my family could use.

If anyone reads this who was part of those contributions, I thank you for your help at that time. I was able to go get some things from those huge piles of donations. We moved from Rexburg a year later due to my husband's change of employment, and I no longer sold Tupperware. My regret now is that some of my favorite pieces are no longer available that I would dearly love replacement pieces for!

Janice Christensen
West Jordan, Utah

I was a Tupperware story. In 1970, I was a young married woman. I worked in an office and this opportunity came along to demonstrate and sell plastic bowls. I tried it for 5 years and rose to the ranks of manager and received a car. I left the business, with the urging of family to get a real job.

Money became an issue and now I had 2 young daughters. I needed money fast and I had no where to turn. I called my old friend in Tupperware. "Sure, come on back," and I started the last day of May. In 6 weeks I sold more TW than any other dealer at our distributorship. The promotion time had started in April and I beat them all to be #1 at the August Jubilee. I was also promoted to manager again with my team of 5 ladies. We rose to the top in the ship, top 6 in the region, and this job flexed around my growing girls, my injured husband. I was able to make his income and mine literally overnight. I had a new car every 2 years and a house.

But more important than any of that is the experience I walked away with. They are a family. My ability to present myself, talk to groups and stand on my own comes from this time...

Thank You Tupperware for everything. "It doesn't chip, crack, break or peel"

Patricia Ann Bryant
Phoenix, Arizona

I was young, a recent immigrant, who had moved to Huntington Park, California, about two years after having arrived to the USA. My family lived at an apartment complex that was almost all Latino. It was there that I met Nita McBride, one of a small handful of not-Latino folks in the neighborhood. Her kids, Nita, and her husband were a military family. What was precious about that experience was that she also introduced me to many "American" cultural experiences, which included; meat, potato, and gravy; home-made carrot cake; and Tupperware. She was one of those women who did those home parties to make a little cash while her husband was away serving in the military. Ever since then I have sought and purchased Tupperware products.

As I look back at that period of time, I have a couple of regrets: losing touch with Nita and losing a box of Tupperware items in one of my moves; glass coasters, iced tea spoons, and several other pieces.

Thanks for the PBS special with Brownie Wise; it brings a new meaning to women selling Tupperware, including Nita and all the women who have come before and after.

Ricardo
Seattle, Washington

I enjoyed this PBS special. I was startled and pleased to see my grandmother and my mother's sister in the piece, although I expected to see my uncle and cousin who are Tupperware distributors.

I was a girl in her early teens, in 1950, when the Tupperware story began to be a part of my family's discussions and lives.

My aunt, Ann, Mrs. Damigella, was a very important part of this Tupperware story here in New England. She was one of the "gals" and every bit as attractive, savvy and sharp as Brownie. Ann and Tom worked very hard to make Tupperware a household name here in Massachusetts. There was hardly a person you spoke to who didn't know of them, if they knew of Tupperware. Ann was a go-getter in every way. She was a matriach who brought people and events together. She should have been a big part of the PBS story. She was a distrubutor, a post-war woman who made good. Very good! My uncle, a very motivating speaker and savvy business man, was integral to their success.

I found the story of Brownie both enlightening and sad, because of the poor way in which she was treated at the apex of an extraordinary career. Many of these self-made women deserve better than they got, after the men came home from war and they "took over."

Alas, a sign of the times. My uncle was, and is, a champion of equality and his story and my aunt's are about that as well. The many, many women in their distributorship were "family" to the pair of them and fared very well under their tutelage and guidance. Tom is living in the Boston area still; my aunt passed away several years ago.

That time, an extraordinary capsule of what America and women especially were about, is engraved in my consciousness. I, as well as my daughters who have successful careers and family, are proud of the legacy these women (and men) have given to us.

Annamaria Smith
Stoneham, Massachusetts

American Experience replies: The Damigellas and other people featured in the program are included in the Generation T interactive feature on this site.

My mother-in-law, Pam Ramsey of Pamorama Sales (Tupperware Distributor in Santa Ana, CA) challenged me to knock on doors and date Tupperware Parties for her new distributorship while I was on vacation from my job as a grocery clerk. This was in 1959. The deal was, I could give her the parties I booked/dated and she would pay me what I earned at the supermarket, or I could keep and personally conduct the parties and keep the commissions.

I was 20 years old and decided to take the commission. This lead me to becoming a vanguard manager and Southern California's star demonstrator.

Pam knew and loved Brownie Wise. When Brownie left THP and started Cinderella, Pam contacted her and initiated the start-up of our own Cinderella Distributorship, in Anaheim, CA. Hamer Wilson hired me to join the THP Staff in 1960. There is much more to my story, but I loved Tupperware. I worked with many of the people shown in your film. I miss them all very much.

Don Donnelly
Santa Paula, California

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