HOUSEKEEPERS (HOOCH MAIDS)
The Vietnamese women would work on the Army base as housekeepers.
These ladies worked seven days a week doing all of their job duties.
They were very diligent and dedicated workers.
The barracks, where the soldiers lived, were called hooches. Thus, the Vietnamese
women who worked as housekeepers on the base were known as "hooch maids".
DAILY DUTIES OF HOOCH MAIDS
- Washed BY HAND soldiers' laundry
(including uniforms, socks, underwear, sheets, and clothes) - Hung laundry out to dry on clotheslines
between the barracks (or hooches) - Folded and put away laundry
- Made the beds
- Dusted and cleaned the barracks
- Shined soldiers' boots
- Ironed soldiers' uniforms
WAGES OF HOOCH MAIDS
The hooch maids were paid $8 a month from each soldier. One hooch maid
would usually work for about 7 or 8 soldiers.
LOCAL STATUS OF HOOCH MAIDS
In their local community, the hooch maids were considered to be of an
upper-middle class status.
Being a housekeeper on the U.S. Army base
was considered to be one of the
better types of jobs to have.
to be a good salary.