Skip to content

When I graduated from school, World War II was still going…

“When I graduated from school, World War II was still going on. At the time, my eldest sister, Nancy, was working in New York City at Lord & Taylor, and she had a great friend named Sally Kirkland who she worked with there and who later went to work as an editor at Vogue. I always told them, "I…” quote by Polly Allen Mellen
Download Open image
“When I graduated from school, World War II was still going on. At the time, my eldest sister, Nancy, was working in New York City at Lord & Taylor, and she had a great friend named Sally Kirkland who she worked with there and who later went to work as an editor at Vogue. I always told them, "I want to work in fashion like you do," and finally, in the late '40s, I got a job at Lord & Taylor, too.”

Polly Allen Mellen

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A young woman pursued a fashion career inspired by family connections during WWII, highlighting ambition and networking

In simple terms: She used personal ties to enter fashion industry

Key Takeaway

Leverage relationships to achieve career goals

Themes

career ambition networking fashion industry war era women's work

Mood

reflective determined nostalgic

Type

personal historical motivational

When to use this quote

  • job search
  • internships
  • mentorship
  • industry entry
  • career planning

Key Concepts

social capital career pathways historical context

Questions to Reflect On

  • How did wartime conditions affect job markets?
  • What role do personal networks play in career advancement?
A Different Perspective

Success may depend on timing and opportunity, not just effort

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Polly Allen Mellen

Explore all 42 Polly Allen Mellen quotes

More Eldest quotes

Browse all 115 Eldest quotes