My mother, Betty, was a child of the late 70s and early 80s. Her interests included listening to The Doors, hair-styling, smoking Marlboro cigarettes, clubbing, fashion and dancing. She frequently wore red lipstick, leather jackets and teased her curly hair. Her youth was the epitome of the 80s glam lifestyle. In 2014, her life suddenly ended at the age of 49. Upon finding a box filled with my mother's matchbook collection, I set out to find all the locations she once visited. From restaurants and bars to nightclubs and hotels, this study led me to a route she once traveled in her youth. As my investigation continued, a sense of wonder and discovery connected me with her memory. Many locations have since closed down, while others remain open to stand as vital Manhattan landmarks. This study aims to reconstruct memories which occurred before my birth; to find out who my mother was before she became my mother.
