“When I was growing up, I didn't think I was going to live long.”

Tyondra Newton to her youth counselor, Sally Nixon.

Recorded in Minneapolis, MN.

“In the summer, we went to Leroy Street Pool.”

Peggy Maneri and her sister-in-law, Connie Burke, remember their childhood in Greenwich Village.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“I was a chubette in high school.”

Helen Regan to her friend Cornelia Corson.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“This little white boy said, 'Come, let me see your hands.'”

Claudette Colvin remembers her childhood in Alabama.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“f you asked a kid, 'Would you rather be president or world boxing champion,' they'd all say world boxing champion.”

Petros and Nikos Spanakos, twin brothers and professional boxers, remember growing up in Brooklyn.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“I went into Uncle Jake's room and opened up the dictionary, and in the middle was hidden a magazine...”

84-year-old Miriam Kerpen to her daughter, Lisa Shufro.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“One Christmas, I got this ice-skating outfit for Barbie. It was made out of deep purple velvet trimmed in fake fur.”

Cathy Slumber to her daughter, Kelly.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“You know, when everybody's poor, nobody feels poor.”

Manny Diaz tells his friend Blanca Vazquez about growing up in New York City, during the Depression.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“It threw a pall over the house forever. It was like, how can you be happy?”

Martin Jacobson tells his daughter, Beth, about his brother's death.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“I remember going to the movies with him, my dear, and he put his arm around me...”

Beverly Shakin tells her son, David, about her first romantic encounter.

Recorded in New York, NY.