Anderson, Kelly

Scope and Contents In this oral history Powell describes her extended family network and roots in the African-Methodist-Episcopal church. She details living in Germany with her father in the 1950s, her conversion to Catholicism, and attending college in St. Paul, MN. Powell recounts her introduction to activism through the National Council of Christians and Jews, and the climate of racism and anti-Semitism in the mid-century South. Powell describes her coming out-both politically and sexually-during the 1970s,...

Abstract

A collection of life histories of women who have dedicated their lives to social and political activism. Fifteen interviews, conducted by Smith College students, document both the diversity and the persistence of women's activism, as organizers and as cultural workers, in a variety of social movements such as women's health, economic justice, LGBT liberation, peace, education, and environmental sustainability.

Scope and Contents In this interview Hollibaugh details growing up in a mixed-race (Romany and Irish), working-poor family in rural California. Her family stories are incredibly rich-from tales of her grandmother Gypsy's fierce independence-and incredibly painful, from the Klan to her mother's loss of a child. Hollibaugh describes a sexually fraught and complicated adolescence, boarding school in Switzerland, dancing in Vegas and sex work in San Francisco, and finding radical politics and alternative...

Scope and Contents

The oral history focuses on MacKay's involvement in the North Fork lesbian community, including NFWFWF, and her work in community theater production. She also reflects on her childhood, family background, and coming of age sexually. Because this interview is intended as a complement to MacKay's papers housed at the SSC (which include an unpublished memoir,) our discussion of her earlier years is light. (Transcript 45 pp.)

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In this oral history, Levins Morales details her family heritage and describes her childhood in Puerto Rico, particularly in relation to her parents' political activism and Communist party membership. The majority of the interview focuses on Levins Morales activism, her experiences as a woman of color in both male-led nationalist organizations and the predominantly white, middle-class feminist movement, and her work as a writer and educator. (Transcript 101 pp.)

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In this oral history, Love reflects on her childhood and family of origin, her introduction to lesbian life and politics, and her activism in the 1970s. This interview pays particular attention to the National Organization for Women, the Houston conference in 1977, Radicalesbians, and her published writings. (Transcript 43 pp.)

Scope and Contents From the Collection: This collection includes oral history interviews with important figures in the field of social work, conducted circa 1970-1998. Many were conducted by Vida S. Grayson. Subjects include: Dorothy C. Bailey, transcript (114p) Louise S. Bandler, transcript (448p), 14 audiotapes.[Louise Bandler Papers are closed] Merriall Boselli, transcript (71p) ...

Scope and Contents Oral history of C. John Burk, professor of Botany, conducted by Kelly Anderson, oral historian. Includes video recording and transcript. In this interview, Burk reflects on his education, his career at Smith, and on his research interests. Burk shares his keen observations about the evolution of the sciences at Smith, the changes over time to the Botanic Garden and Lyman Plant House, and the shifting landscape of the college itself. Burk’s interview is a terrific window into the history of...

Scope and Contents In this oral history, Vázquez describes her early childhood in Puerto Rico and growing up in New York City, first on the Lower East Side, then in Harlem. Vázquez is forthcoming about her personal life during this time and covers issues such as racism, family dynamics, religion and sexuality. Vázquez describes her political awakening and early activism, beginning with the student protests at City College and Puerto Rican independence efforts. She describes in depth her movement from...

Scope and Contents In this oral history Moraga describes growing up with a Mexicana mother and an Anglo father, discusses the significance of family to her life and work, and reflects upon the nuances of race, class, language and skin color. Moraga talks about her own politicization and her introduction to and sustained leadership in liberation struggles. The interview focuses on Moraga's involvement with the women's movement and feminisms, and her cultural activism, particularly around ...

Scope and Contents From the Collection: Documenting Lesbian Lives is a collection of life histories with people who consider themselves to be (presently or at one time) lesbian, queer or bisexual. The project provides a complex and nuanced collective story of American lesbian history and experience. Narrators include grassroots activists and political organizers; educators and academics; musicians, writers, and artists; as well as community and religious leaders. They come from a variety of class, ethnic, racial, social, and...

Scope and Contents In this oral history Alexander reflects on her childhood in New Jersey, her education, and her early marriage as a lead-in to her involvement with the women's movement. Alexander details her relationship to Betty Friedan and the National Organization for Women and her painful experiences as part of the lesbian purge. Alexander also describes her life with Mother Courage, the restaurant she opened with partner Jill Ward, which became a hub of radical feminism in the 70s. Lastly, she reflects...

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In this two-hour conversation, Allison and Vázquez tell stories of young adulthood and realizing “who they are,” share their journeys through 1970s and 80s feminisms in San Francisco, explore the extensive emphasis on androgyny and hostility towards butch-femme within the lesbian community, and reflect on current debates within the lesbian community over trans identities. (Transcript 48 pp.)

Scope and Contents Because Dorothy Allison has written extensively about her childhood and early family life, this oral history focuses on Allison's political activism and involvement with feminism, beginning in Tallahassee, FL in the 1970s. She recounts "finding the movement" at Florida State University through the Women's Center and her parallel life in the bars, among butch-femme dykes, and her struggle to integrate the worlds of middle-class politics and working class erotics. Allison describes...

Scope and Contents From the Collection: This collection includes oral history interviews with important figures in the field of social work, conducted circa 1970-1998. Many were conducted by Vida S. Grayson. Subjects include: Dorothy C. Bailey, transcript (114p) Louise S. Bandler, transcript (448p), 14 audiotapes.[Louise Bandler Papers are closed] Merriall Boselli, transcript (71p) ...

Scope and Contents From the Collection: This collection includes oral history interviews with important figures in the field of social work, conducted circa 1970-1998. Many were conducted by Vida S. Grayson. Subjects include: Dorothy C. Bailey, transcript (114p) Louise S. Bandler, transcript (448p), 14 audiotapes.[Louise Bandler Papers are closed] Merriall Boselli, transcript (71p) ...

Scope and Contents In this oral history Biren describes growing up in a Jewish family in Washington D.C., her education, and her entrance into activism. She reflects on the nuances of class and ethnicity, both in mainstream institutions and in the movement, and on her coming-out process. Biren describes her role in the Furies, the dynamics of the collective and the aftermath of its dissolution, reflecting on its impact on her life and on the larger movement. The interview also focuses on Biren's cultural...

Scope and Contents In this oral history Edgar talks about her family background and childhood, the impact of the civil rights movement, and her experiences in college during the movement's heyday. The majority of the interview focuses on Edgar's connection with Gloria Steinem and her tenure at Ms. magazine. (Transcript 38 pp.)Please note a correction to page 17 of this oral history made by Joanne Edgar in April 2021: "Patt (Patricia) Derian was not a founder of the MS...

Scope and Contents

In this oral history Katherine Acey talks about her family history, their migration from Lebanon, and the Arab American community in Utica, New York where she grew up. She reflects on her activist roots in the civil rights movement and her introduction to feminist organizing through anti-violence and reproductive rights work. The last third of the interview focuses on Katherine's work in progressive philanthropy and her twenty year tenure at the Astraea Foundation. (Transcript 62 pp.)

Scope and Contents In this oral history Stout describes in detail her family background and the rural, low-income communities of the Piedmont region in North Carolina. The interview focuses on her work in civil rights and peace movements in the South, her anti-Klan organizing and the dangers of activism in the South, and the politics of class. She describes the impulse behind the Piedmont Peace Project and the ground-breaking ways in which the organization operates. Stout describes the role of her organization...

Scope and Contents In this oral history, Frantz describes her family background in Birmingham, highlighting her father's intellectual and political development and subsequent career in radical politics. She discusses her early days in the Popular Front and as an organizer. Frantz recalls the extensive network of friends and comrades that have made the work so engaging and sustaining. She also describes her family life in detail-her marriage to Laurent, their four children, and her partnership with Eleanor. The...

Scope and Contents

In this oral history Martha Shelley discusses her family background, sexual orientation and coming out, and her activism in the late 1960s and 1970s. The interview is particularly strong on the topics of gay liberation and lesbian feminism, including Radicalesbians, Gay Liberation Front, the Daughters of Bilitis, and the Women's Press Collective. (Transcript 69 pp.)

Scope and Contents

In this oral history, Thom reflects on her family background and childhood in Ohio and her introduction to political activism in college. She describes her activism on the Bryn Mawr campus and her experiences in the civil rights movement. The majority of the interview focuses on Thom's tenure at Ms., highlighting some of the controversial issues and inner workings of the magazine. (Transcript 48 pp.)

Scope and Contents From the Collection: This collection includes oral history interviews with important figures in the field of social work, conducted circa 1970-1998. Many were conducted by Vida S. Grayson. Subjects include: Dorothy C. Bailey, transcript (114p) Louise S. Bandler, transcript (448p), 14 audiotapes.[Louise Bandler Papers are closed] Merriall Boselli, transcript (71p) ...

Scope and Contents In this oral history, Pratt describes her Southern heritage and family background. She reflects on her marriage, its dissolution, and the loss of custody of her children. Pratt describes a distinctly Southern women's movement in the 1970s, offering important insights into the dynamics of race and racism and the politics of sexuality, and discusses in depth the Feminary collective. The interview focuses on Pratt's activism as a writer, the development of her antiracist and anti-imperialist...

Scope and Contents From the Collection: This collection includes oral history interviews with important figures in the field of social work, conducted circa 1970-1998. Many were conducted by Vida S. Grayson. Subjects include: Dorothy C. Bailey, transcript (114p) Louise S. Bandler, transcript (448p), 14 audiotapes.[Louise Bandler Papers are closed] Merriall Boselli, transcript (71p) ...

Scope and Contents From the Collection: This collection includes oral history interviews with important figures in the field of social work, conducted circa 1970-1998. Many were conducted by Vida S. Grayson. Subjects include: Dorothy C. Bailey, transcript (114p) Louise S. Bandler, transcript (448p), 14 audiotapes.[Louise Bandler Papers are closed] Merriall Boselli, transcript (71p) ...

Scope and Contents From the Collection: This collection includes oral history interviews with important figures in the field of social work, conducted circa 1970-1998. Many were conducted by Vida S. Grayson. Subjects include: Dorothy C. Bailey, transcript (114p) Louise S. Bandler, transcript (448p), 14 audiotapes.[Louise Bandler Papers are closed] Merriall Boselli, transcript (71p) ...

Scope and Contents In this oral history Morales discusses her family background and childhood in New York City, discovering radical politics, and her work as a writer and poet. Morales details her experience within the Communist Party, both in New York and in Puerto Rico, and her developing feminist consciousness. She speaks to the roles of women in the Party, the Left in general, and in the academy. Morales is forthcoming about her relationships with her husband and children, particularly her daughter (and...

Scope and Contents In this oral history Gould describes her childhood in Michigan, growing up and into a family business, and her mother's struggles with depression and addiction. She describes finding both the women's movement and her passion for economic development work in Cambridge in the 1970s and her journey to the Ms. Foundation for Women, where she has spent more than twenty years of her career. This interview focuses on Gould's tenure at Ms., the shifts in grantmaking...