-Contributed by Lizette Royer Barton.
While working in the Muzafer and Carolyn Sherif papers I came across the most amazing folder. In 1936 5th graders in Wilmette, IL were asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Here are some of my favorite responses. (Click to enlarge images and then use your back button to return to the blog).
![What do you want to be when you grow up? Ann_aviatrix](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/52/523404/what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up-L-PRpXT0.jpeg)
All right Ann! Aviation was pretty forward thinking for a young girl in 1936. She lost me a bit with the doll dismemberment though.
![What do you want to be when you grow up? Bob_milkman](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/52/523404/what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up-L-mLkvsh.jpeg)
Honest work for honest pay. Plus he could snoop inside people’s homes and eat in his wagon. Oh boy!
![What do you want to be when you grow up? Edward_cop](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/52/523404/what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up-L-1YsvXF.jpeg)
Yikes Ed. Yikes.
![What do you want to be when you grow up? Eleanor_I dont know](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/52/523404/what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up-L-JNRNKm.jpeg)
Right on Eleanor. A career is a lot to think about when you’re ten years old.
![What do you want to be when you grow up? Florence_mother](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/52/523404/what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up-L-nL5vwU.jpeg)
I hope Flo made it to Sacramento!
![What do you want to be when you grow up? Helen_dancing star](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/52/523404/what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up-L-ZI8UEH.jpeg)
And I hope Helen made it to Broadway! Or at the very least got to boss some kids around.
![What do you want to be when you grow up? Jack_Alaskan Expolorer](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/52/523404/what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up-L-Gj0ErZ.jpeg)
Maybe Jack met the perfect partner up in the Yukon.
![What do you want to be when you grow up? Judson_engineer](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/52/523404/what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up-L-RAN66S.jpeg)
I wonder if Judson ever got his race horse?
![What do you want to be when you grow up? Roberta_cowgirl](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/52/523404/what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up-L-PUqYWe.jpeg)
Happy trails Roberta!
![What do you want to be when you grow up? John_everything](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/52/523404/what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up-L-C17VTy.jpeg)
Dear Earth Ruler – You. Are. Amazing. And I hope you were able to thread needles while sitting atop a flag pole!