OHA Marks 40Th in Little Rock

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Winter 2006 Volume XL Number 3

ORAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

th OHA marks 40 in Little Rock In this issue Some 350 oral history aficionados celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Oral History Association in Little Rock, Ark., Oct. 25–29, with a program that From the president: reflected the history of the civil rights movement and the history of oral history. Many generations celebrate...... 2 At the Thursday evening presidential reception, longtime OHA member Courage begets courage: David Dunaway recalled memories of the late Willa Baum, a founding practi- A lesson from Little Rock ...... 3 tioner of oral history and co-editor with Dunaway of Oral History: An Interdisciplinary Anthology. Education committee seeks Former OHA presidents Charlie participation ...... 5 Morrissey, Rebecca Sharpless and OHA Endowment Fund An overriding concept of oral Laurie Mercier also described key contributors ...... 5 history was that “a person could moments in the organization’s evolu- Veterans, immigrant themes recover, preserve and interpret his tion. “We are the unfinished products win awards ...... 6 own past and not have it imposed of a long becoming,” Morrissey said. The history of oral history theme Scholars scramble to document upon them.” continued with a Saturday afternoon hurricanes...... 6 session chaired by former OHA pres- 2007 OHA meeting set for ident Dale Treleven, who guided panelists Alice Hoffman, Sherna Berger Gluck, Oakland, Calif...... 7 Richard Candida Smith and Horacio N. Roque Ramirez in tracing the develop- Institutional review boards ment of the organization. threaten scholarly work...... 8 The OHA was guided from the start, Hoffman said, by a “democratic, let- many-flowers-bloom spirit.” Oral History Assocation officers An overriding concept of oral history was that “a person could recover, pre- and members of council ...... 9 serve and interpret his own past and not have it imposed upon them,” she said. Family history pamphlet Noting dramatic, rapid changes in technology that recently have dominated published ...... 9 the field, Hoffman recalled that at the 1969 meeting in Airlie, Va., a representa- Legal release request ...... 9 tive of audio tape manufacturer 3M told the oral historians that the company’s tapes would even survive an atomic bomb. Community projects need “How eminently reassuring,” Hoffman quipped. access to training ...... 10 Sherna Berger Gluck described her early experiences with OHA as “anything Veterans history project seeks but welcoming” to a feminist historian. workshop leaders ...... 10 Until the 1988 annual meeting in Baltimore, her experience was that OHA Oral historian recalls lifetime of “was a white, patriarchal organization.” But conference planners that year made interviews...... 11 special efforts to diversify the organization and the conference program, and the OHA’s oral history evaluation guidelines were revised, reflecting “a recognition Miss America pageants...... 11 of the interactive and subjective nature of the oral history enterprise,” she said. In remembrance ...... 12 Richard Candida Smith suggested that the oral history movement hasn’t Congressional oral histories . . . . . 13 played a major role in changing how history is taught but remains useful for providing “local color.” State and Regional News...... 14 Historians, he said, need to synthesize oral interview materials, place them in New publications ...... 14 historical context and “reflect on what we learned that we didn’t know before.” Call for papers ...... 15 (continued on page 4) OHA Winter06.qxd 11/28/06 9:33 PM Page 2

From the president Many generations celebrate In my first presidential column, I will reflect upon the lines and nightly television Oral History Association’s 40th anniversary meeting in Little newscasts did not record for Rock, Ark., note several key Executive Council decisions and posterity. extend an invitation to you to join us in Oakland, Calif., in With Rhonda Stewart as 2007. moderator, Minnijean OHA’s theme in Little Rock, “Generational Links: Brown Trickey and Confronting the Past, Understanding the Present, and Elizabeth Eckford Planning the Future,” was appropriate and useful for articu- enthralled the audience with lating the various dimensions of our activities, papers and their insightful commentary, plenary sessions. The theme was chosen to commemorate the nuanced analysis and com- organization’s founding and to celebrate the multi-genera- pelling stories. Many of us tional relationships that are the foundation of this body. who listened to them were Indeed, this year it was publicly noted that many of the amazed that these two founding members of the association are regular participants women were both informa- Alphine Wade Jefferson and presenters. It is with both admiration and pride that I tive and profound, without overheard several OHA members claiming this to be their being angry or bitter. Their grace and elegance are models 10th, 20th or 30th OHA meeting. One person exclaimed that a from which we should try to understand the present and plan few of our elder statesmen and stateswomen can claim to our future. have been at virtually every meeting since OHA’s inception in Hence, oral history is an essential tool in uncovering the 1966. hidden histories and missing dimensions in the national narrative as various groups demand equality and justice. Oral history is an essential tool in uncovering the At its annual business meeting, the Executive Council con- hidden histories and missing dimensions in the tinued to professionalize the association by appointing a Web site editor, granting more scholarship money to support more national narrative as various groups demand equality international participants at the annual meeting and begin- and justice. ning the process of setting up formal review procedures of all OHA paid personnel. With that kind of loyalty and dedication, it is easy for In addition, the Council approved translating the annual novice and inexperienced oral historians to interact with, ask call for papers into Spanish, endorsed the American questions of and glean information from long-term practi- Association of University Professors’ statement on Academic tioners, published scholars and teachers as well as a variety of Freedom and the Institutional Review Board, entered into artists, authors, filmmakers, genealogists, musicians, story- contract negotiations with Oxford University Press to publish tellers and technology experts. the Oral History Review and approved Pittsburgh as the site of OHA is my favorite professional group because its mem- the annual meeting in 2008. bers are accessible, forthright, honest and unpretentious. I I would like to thank, in the most sincere and warmest look forward to attending our annual meetings because being terms, all of you who made the meeting in Little Rock such a in the presence of OHA’s members feels as comfortable as tremendous success. In alphabetical order, I must make spe- well worn shoes, as warm as family and as familiar as home. cial mention of the exceptional time and work contributions In part, this level of camaraderie exits because the seniors in of Madelyn Campbell, Tracy K’Meyer, Francis Ross, Al the organization impart their commitment and knowledge to Stein, Becca Sharpless and David Stricklin. They have passed OHA’s newest members in formal and informal ways the torch to the Oakland group. May their fine examples of throughout the meeting without exclusivity and hierarchy. dedication and hard work shine the light of excitement and These attitudes and values allow OHA to present fresh ideas triumph onto next year’s gathering. and new programs every year. Mark your calendars now for the next annual meeting Oct. The second connection to the theme came in recognizing 24–28, 2007, at the Marriott Oakland City Center in the upcoming 50th anniversary of a crucial civil rights event. Oakland, Calif. Next year’s theme, “The Revolutionary Ideal: By inviting members of “The Little Rock Nine” to be the Transforming Community through Oral History,” will exam- keynote speakers at the awards banquet, the association creat- ine how oral history has become a revolutionary tool in ed tangible links to a group of people who confronted the exhuming the many narratives in political protest and social past in a very dramatic manner on the local level. action as tools of transformation. In addition, specific atten- By integrating Little Rock’s Central High School in 1957, tion will be given to oral history’s use by community groups. these young people brought national attention to America’s Finally, issues of institutional and personal survival as well as failure to adhere to the Supreme Court’s ruling in the 1954 how technology has changed our lives will be discussed. Brown decision. In their actions, nine black high school students confirmed their own rendezvous with destiny. Oral his- Alphine Wade Jefferson, Ph.D. tories of this crucial juncture in American history have Professor of History and Black Studies revealed many lasting consequences that the newspaper head- Randolph-Macon College

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Courage begets courage: A lesson from Little Rock By Brenda Edgerton-Webster, Mississippi State University As I anxiously waited in Salon C of know that it was all worth it and I had Walking away feeling disappointed, I the Little Rock Peabody Hotel for the done a good job,” she said. I thought, left the ballroom thinking, “So much evening’s keynote speakers to begin and “How could she know who I am and for my demonstration of courage, or watched friends and colleagues of the that I am here!” lack thereof.” Oral History Association rekindle old Remembering the long walk it would relationships, I thought, “What a unique At that very moment, I felt a swell take to get back around to the lobby opportunity for me to be in the presence of emotion overcome my very elevators and up to my room, I made a of two of the Little Rock Nine.” beeline for the single-stall ladies’ room Of course everyone in the ballroom being, but knew that I had to hold nearby and bypassed the larger, more knew the historic events surrounding it together since I might not ever crowded restroom. When I attempted their 1957 integration into Little Rock get this opportunity again. to enter the lavatory, to my surprise, it Central High School under the tute- was occupied and I had to wait anyway. lage of Daisy Bates and the NAACP. When the audience-question-and- As the door opened, an apologetic And everyone seemed just as excited as answer portion of the program began, I voice preceded the appearance of the I to get through dinner and hear from just couldn’t bring myself to stand and bathroom’s occupant. It was Elizabeth these living historical icons. reveal my direct connection to the Eckford. When two of the famed group experience of these women — it was Now, I am never this lucky. So this entered the room and OHA officers just too personal. But, once Brother time, I seized the opportunity to say escorted them to their seats, I remember Blue gave his poetic salute and others what had been so very heavy on my peeking around the heads and shoulders shared their appreciation for the sacri- heart all night: “Ms. Eckford, thank you of people who obstructed my view in fice of the Little Rock Nine, I knew so very much for your courage. And, hopes of getting a close-up view of these that I had to say something to someone. yes, your courage has inspired a young remarkable history makers. After I made my way through the other person to accomplish things beyond After a few introductory remarks, the audience members, who were vying to their imagination. I know this, because I mistress of ceremony invited Minnijean take pictures and shake the hands of am one of those young people.” Brown Trickey and Elizabeth Eckford these two historic women, I finally As I relayed my story, Eckford to come to the dais and begin the pro- stood face to face with them and, to my looked at me with shock, but also gram. As they made their way up to the chagrin, Eckford excused herself. familiarity. In her eyes, I could see that stage, a chill came over me — I knew Feeling like I had blown my one chance she recognized my story with each that I was in the midst of an extraordi- to make my secret known, I simply word as one remembers and recognizes nary moment in history. I knew that asked Brown Trickey to tell Eckford an old friend. I continued, “You see, this was not just the historical moment that I appreciated their remarks and Ms. Eckford, when I was a senior in of these two women who once had that undoubtedly they had inspired a high school back in the early ’80’s, my been denied admittance to Little Rock young person to be courageous. family moved to the small town of High and were now keynote speakers in the same city’s premier hotel, but rather a moment in history that, out of the 100 or so people in that room, only I understood. As the women spoke about their experiences prior, during and subse- quent to that infamous fall of 1957, one central theme resonated throughout their discussion– that young people have more courage than they often believe. “In all the speeches I give to young people, I always tell them that if I had the courage to make it through, then they can do anything,” Eckford said. Little did she understand, the impact her acts of courage already had on someone sitting in the audience. Then Eckford stopped my blood cold. “If I knew that what I did helped one young person be more courageous than they ever thought they could, then I’d Little Rock Central High School, site of the 1957 civil rights struggle over school desegregation. (continued on page 4) OHA Newsletter 3 Winter 2006 OHA Winter06.qxd 11/28/06 9:33 PM Page 4

Courage begets courage: A lesson from Little Rock continued from page 3 Fairfield, Iowa, and I was one of two what happened to you and was, then, “Tell my story? I had done well just to African American kids in my class. The happening to me. That year, I went on tell her.” By the time I returned to the other black girl had spent much of her to receive first-place ranking among all ballroom, I had resigned myself to the life there and people were used to her high school students in the entire state fact that really no story existed for me and her family. of Iowa, graduated from both high to tell and that the experience had been “Well, anyway, I had to ride the school and college with honors, had a shared to its fullest extent. I rational- school bus each day and many of the successful career in television broad- ized my hasty decision by thinking, children (mostly younger, but bigger casting and now have become the sixth “Even if I told my story, who would than my 5’2” 115-pound frame) would African American to successfully really want to hear it?” I figured that if call me the “N” word, throw things defend a doctoral dissertation from the I remembered and had a chance, I and spit on me. Like you, I, too, kept oldest and most renowned journalism would ask the OHA Newsletter editor this mistreatment from my parents, program in the country — the Missouri the kinds of stories normally accepted. because I knew they would pull me out School of Journalism.” Surely, my story wouldn’t qualify and of school and I didn’t want anything to that would be the end of that. interrupt my senior year. That is until I only wanted her to know before The very next morning at the OHA one day I just had enough and confided she laid her head to rest from this business meeting breakfast, my friend in my English teacher, Mrs. Pettit. In and table companion did not come. addition to reporting the incidents to long journey of her life that, YES, Another woman asked if the seat next the administration, Mrs. Pettit asked the courage she displayed back in to me was taken. Looking at my watch me to join the Forensic Club because the fall of 1957 had directly and realizing that because of the hour, she had a special reading for me — it inspired courage in another young my friend probably would not show for was about the experience of you and breakfast and only catch the end of the the integration of Little Rock Central person’s life. meeting, I invited her to take the seat. High School.” Now of course, since this is my very At that very moment, I felt a swell of I started to tell her that I am also a first OHA meeting, I did not know her. emotion overcome my very being, but junior faculty member at Mississippi And, as we proceeded with the obliga- knew that I had to hold it together State University, but just then a single tory introductions, she said, “Hi. I’m since I might not ever get this opportu- tear rolled down her cheek and I Mary Kay Quinlan” and I read “OHA nity again. I said, “Ms. Eckford, I took stopped mid-sentence. Newsletter Editor” on her badge. It that reading and made it my own. She simply whispered, “Oh, you was at this very moment, like George Nearly 25 years afterward, your experi- sweet baby, I know your pain” and as W. Bush, I, too, felt I was receiving a ence ministered,” now my voice began she hugged me so very tenderly, she good “thump’n.” In my mind, Eckford to quiver, “to a very scared little black continued, “I am so proud of your obviously was on better terms with the girl in the middle of Iowa and gave me courage and you must tell your story.” Lord than I since the mere utterance the courage to remain strong.” I explained that I didn’t intend to upset for me to “tell my story” from her Even though I had just uttered those her or even become upset myself since I mouth was all it took to bring about words about being strong, I could feel thought that I’d moved past this painful divine intervention and this article my knees weaken and eyes well up and period of my life. I only wanted her to about how courage begets courage. remember thinking, “I can’t believe I’m know before she laid her head to rest Thank you OHA, thank you Mary about to start blubbering in front of from this long journey of her life that, Kay Quinlan, and most of all, thank one of my ‘sheroes.’” YES, the courage she displayed back in you Elizabeth Eckford and the rest of Somehow I sputtered out, “Ms. the fall of 1957 had directly inspired the Little Rock Nine for the bravery Eckford, I want you to know that read- courage in another young person’s life. and strength that you have passed to ing and performing your experience As we hugged again for the last time every person who ever hears your story. gave me the courage to speak out about and she turned to walk away, I thought, Your courage is undeniable.

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He advocated making oral histories available on Web sites, allowing people to draw their own conclusions about the material. He dismissed privacy concerns about broader access, saying that younger generations “have no sense of personal privacy anyway” and suggesting that it was pointless to “worry about protecting materials from people who will misunderstand.” Horacio N. Rocque Ramirez called the OHA “less stuffy” than many professional academic organizations and called himself “a product of the committee on diversity.” People of color, gays and lesbians and the working poor have not yet fully found their place “on the other side of the tape recorder,” he said, urging the OHA to more actively encourage emerging diverse scholars. What’s needed, he said, are more “oral histories of the present.”

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Education committee seeks participation By Amy Starecheski, OHA Education Committee

The Oral History Association’s educator scholarships to attend and This year we posted our first content Education Committee has had an active present at the annual meeting. Their on the Web, thanks to the efforts of year and an exciting annual meeting in excellent presentation and the energy Glenn Whitman and Madelyn Little Rock, Ark. The committee mem- they brought to the conference encour- Campbell. Read about featured projects bers and responsibilities are as follows: age us in our effort to help the annual and articles, educator workshops, meetings continue to welcome students awards and more at http://omega.dick- • Amy Starecheski, Chair from secondary to post-graduate. inson.edu/organizations/oha/org_com_ • Donna DeBlasio, Annual Meeting We encourage educators and stu- ed_test.html. • Glenn Whitman, Web Editor, dents to apply for the scholarships In the coming year, we look forward Publications available to them and the awards to working with new OHA Web Editor • Glenn Ruggles, Scholarships designed to honor their work. This Rebecca Sharpless to improve the • Chuck Lee, Awards year we are seeking applicants for the design, accessibility and content of the • Al Stein, Hurricana Katrina, Martha Ross Pre-Collegiate Teaching site. Educators and students can already Outreach Award. submit their work for inclusion Contact information for all members Donna DeBlasio will continue to through the site. is on the OHA Education Committee work with the program chairs for the The committee would like to thank Web site. 2007 Oakland meeting to put together a everyone who made this a successful Two Potomac, Md., high school stu- program that includes and is interesting year and annual meeting. We get an dents who participated in teacher Ken to educators and students. She will be extraordinary amount of support from Woodard’s Martha Ross Teaching circulating an education-related request people not on the committee and from Award-winning project received OHA for proposals for Oakland this fall. Council.

OHA Endowment Fund contributors The Oral History Association would like to thank the following contributors to the OHA Endowment Fund. Many of the contributors responded to a challenge at the OHA annual meeting from an anonymous donor who agreed to match $1,000 in contributions gathered during the Sunday morning meeting. The OHA endowment supports the organization’s scholarship program and other special projects. Contributions are tax deductible. Mehmed Ali Ruth and Hugh Hill Don and Anne Ritchie Curtis Austin Alice Hoffman Kim Rogers Jo Blatti Alphine Jefferson Frances Ross Chuck Bolton Cliff Kuhn Horacio N. Roque Madelyn Campbell Elinor Mazé Glenn Ruggles Tom Charlton Marjorie McLellan Rebecca Sharpless Jeff Charnley Gloria Mims Linda Shopes G. Cullom Davis James Mink Norma Smith Rose Diaz and Andy Russell Charles T. Morrissey Al Stein Jim Fogerty John Neuenschwander David Stricklin Sherna Gluck Adam Novitt Brenda Webster Charles Groth Kim Porter Jessica Wiederhorn Charles Hardy Mary Kay Quinlan Vernon Williams

Financial report Executive Secretary Madelyn Campbell reported at the 2006 annual business meeting that the Oral History Association is in a strong financial position. The organization’s operating and reserve funds total more than $110,000, she said, while the OHA Endowment Fund totals nearly $170,000.

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Veterans, immigrant themes win awards Oral history projects pursuing veterans and immigrant • Erin McCarthy of Columbia College Chicago for her stu- themes were among the recipients of Oral History dents’ interviews in the Greek-American community, Association awards presented at the Saturday evening ban- which are now in the archives of the Hellenic Museum quet. and Cultural Center. The 2006 article award went to Elliott R. Barkan of The 2006 Elizabeth B. Mason project award for projects California State University-San Bernardino for his piece with a budget of more than $6,000 went to the National Park “American in the Hand, Homeland in the Heart: Service’s Tuskegee Airmen Oral History Project, directed by Transnational and Translocal Immigrant Experience in the Todd Moye. American West.” The Elizabeth B. Mason project award for projects with a Two teachers received the 2006 postsecondary teaching budget of less than $6,000 went to the Oral Histories of the award. They were: Taylor Family and Residence, directed by Jon Hunner. • Kimberly Heikkila of Anoka Ramsey Community College In 2007, the OHA will present awards for a book, precolle- in Coon Rapids, Minn., for her students’ interviews with giate teaching and nonprint media using oral history. Vietnam war veterans for the Library of Congress’ Deadlines for nominations are April 15. Visit the OHA Web Veterans History Project and site for details.

Scholars scramble to document hurricanes

In the 15 months since Hurricanes canes and their aftermath, Louisiana Mizell-Nelson said the project seeks Katrina and Rita devastated New folklorist Susan Roach reported. to “record stories between the extremes Orleans and a wide swath of the Gulf But by relying on cell phones and e- of heroism and hooliganism.” Coast, academic scholars, museum staff mail, a loose coalition began to take He said the promise of anonymity members, librarians and others have shape, eventually calling itself “In the helps bring out stories that otherwise forged an informal coalition scrambling Wake of Katrina.” wouldn’t be told. to document the disaster, a panel told In trying to standardize questions, Just the act of telling their stories is a OHA conference attendees. the scholars discovered that some comfort to many people, he said, as The results so far: a plethora of Web demographic questions — like address- though they are contributing to a time sites, vastly growing collections of es and income brackets — were prob- capsule. unprocessed information and an ongo- lematic, she said. Peggy Bulger, director of the ing need to develop databases that will American Folklife Center, stressed her make it possible to search and use the Survivors telling their stories to agency’s work in helping hurricane sur- information. other survivors helps them all come vivors by providing field schools in For the time being, said Michael Houston, where many sought refuge, Mizell-Nelson of the University of New to terms with their situations. to train them as interviewers, thus pro- Orleans, the urge to document overrides viding income for displaced members preservation and access considerations. Roach also noted the irony that most of Gulf Coast communities, much as The Louisiana Folklife Program and of the funding for hurricane-related the Works Progress Administration did the University of New Orleans, in col- oral history work has gone to non- in the Great Depression. laboration with the American Folklife coastal scholars who have had to ask Survivors telling their stories to Center at the Library of Congress and local people for help to carry out their other survivors helps them all come to George Mason University, are collecting projects. terms with their situations, she said. storm stories through the Hurricane Mizell-Nelson said the Hurricane Charles Bolton of the University of Digital Memory Bank, which allows Digital Memory Bank, at www.hurri North Carolina, Greensboro, who individuals to self-submit stories, pho- canearchives.org, is an effort to chaired the OHA’s Emerging Crisis tos, audio and video materials, and democratize the gathering of hurricane Oral History Research Fund, remain anonymous if they so choose. stories. While not true oral history announced that the committee awarded Also available is a field collection kit interviews, stories and photos in the a $3,000 grant to a project called modeled after the Library of Congress’ memory bank provide a form of hurri- “Floodwall,” a 120 feet by 8 feet wall of Veterans History Project, with data cane documentation. abandoned dresser drawers salvaged collection forms, release documents, People are encouraged to leave their from the New Orleans floodwaters. question banks for survivors and stories by voicemail (up to 10 minutes The project includes 50 audio and responders and a K-12 lesson guide for in length), submit stories and photos video interviews with the former dress- teachers. online or jot down their stories on er drawer owners. Information about Gulf Coast researchers themselves postcards and mail them to the the project is available at www.flood were largely displaced by the hurri- University of New Orleans. wall.org.

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2007 OHA meeting set for Oakland, Calif. By Norma Smith and Horacio N. Roque Ramírez, 2007 OHA Program Committee Co-Chairs

The Oral History Association’s 2007 annual meeting will Specifically, we will be working with local and regional take place Oct. 24–28, in Oakland, Calif. The Program projects based in ethnic studies, women’s and gender studies, Committee expects to apply our annual meeting theme, “The disability studies, labor studies, LGBT/queer studies, HIV, Revolutionary Ideal: Transforming Community through Oral AIDS and public health and other academic programs, and History,” to the Oral History Association itself. with organizations based in Native American, African The OHA has made a commitment in the past to seek a American, Latina and Latino, Asian, feminist, immigrant, diverse membership and to support projects from among his- environmental justice, land-use justice, prison rights, health torically excluded communities. Oral history is uniquely capa- rights and other communities. Numerous oral history projects ble of illuminating the connections among personal, family, are being conducted in the region in academic institutions organizational, community, regional, national and global his- and in grassroots communities. tory, culture and politics. We hope to broaden our work by acknowledging the fact that a multicultural, multiracial and We urge OHA members to prepare and submit pro- multilingual approach is necessary to document and under- posals on time, so we can forge a stellar, watershed stand our changing world. To a great degree, the Program Committee for 2007 has program that will attract fresh interest in oral history emerged out of the efforts of the Committee on and new, more diverse membership to the OHA. Multiculturalism that was established to address this recognition and redress past narrowness. The 2007 OHA Program Committee will work closely with We take seriously the challenge to transform the OHA the International Committee, the Education Committee, the annual meeting into a model for future organizational labor Membership Committee, the New Media and Digital that accounts for difference and diversity in profound ways. Technology Taskforce, the Publications Committee and the We see this as a way to root the organization’s vision of oral Committee on Diversity to create an inclusive and rich gath- history as a way of collecting and interpreting human memo- ering of students, scholars, archivists, librarians and organiz- ries to foster knowledge and human dignity in the world as ers committed to the art and practice of oral history. we experience it. The Program Committee had its first full meeting in Little Oakland is a perfect place to promote this transformation. Rock. We have begun to develop a number of ideas for plena- It is one of the most racially, culturally and linguistically ry sessions, keynote speakers, workshops and tours, as well as diverse communities in one of the most diverse states in the sub-themes and threads for regular sessions, performances, nation. This trend began at least 10,000 years ago with the community forums and videos and films. Ohlone people, themselves a diverse grouping of small, We are exploring the possibility of offering an introductory often multilingual, bands. Numerous distinct languages were oral history workshop in Spanish and in an Asian language. spoken in what is now California well before Europeans We are also planning at least one session on strategies and arrived. politics of conducting oral history projects across language, While racial conflict and cultural and political contradiction gender and class differences. have been part of the local and regional history at least since We urge OHA members to prepare and submit proposals the arrival of Spanish explorers, Oakland and the Bay Area on time, so we can forge a stellar, watershed program that will also have a tradition of cross-cultural coalition-building in attract fresh interest in oral history and new, more diverse academic and in community-based activism. membership to the OHA. This diversity and imaginative approach to community life To this end, we also invite OHA members to forward the and social change (including how knowledge is organized in call for papers to your networks and organizations. For an academic institutions) have been reflected in strategies for electronic version of the Call for Proposals, go to documentation. The 2007 OHA meeting in Oakland will http://alpha.dickinson.edu/oha/org_cfp.html honor and contribute to this local tradition. Questions may be directed to:

Mehmed Ali, Horacio Roque Ramirez, Norma Smith, First Vice President Program Co-Chair Program Co-chair [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 978-275-1826 626-354-1808 510-465-2094

Proposals should be sent by January 15, 2007, to:

Madelyn Campbell Oral History Association, Dickinson College P. O. Box 1773 • Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013 Telephone: 717-245-1036 • Fax: 717-245-1046

We look forward to seeing you in Oakland!

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Institutional review boards threaten scholarly work A concerted effort by oral historians researcher cannot appeal an IRB deci- The AHA’s Townsend said in the and other humanities and social science sion denying permission to proceed with online discussion that a key problem is scholars will be required to resolve the a project or requiring extensive changes. the “lack of clear or consistent stan- problems associated with heavy-handed The AAUP added that there is no dards” about what kinds of research is institutional review boards that admin- empirical evidence supporting the ben- covered by IRB regulations. ister virtually unknowable rules and efits of the IRB system, and at least one Federal officials repeatedly have told threaten academic freedom. legal scholar has argued that the federal the AHA and OHA that the federal That was the message from an hour- requirement of prior IRB approval is rules are “a floor, not a ceiling” for IRB long, online discussion Nov. 8 spon- unconstitutional censorship. review, leaving wide latitude for indi- sored by the Chronicle of Higher “What is deeply troublesome is the vidual campuses to set their own rules, Education, which addressed the IRB fact that research on human subjects he said. issue in a recent article. must obtain IRB approval whether or “Articulation of rules at the local Associations of professional histori- not it imposes a serious risk of harm on level is pretty scanty,” he said, adding: ans can make all the policy statements its subjects,” the AAUP report said. “Reading through them, the rule they want, “but until historians on the seems to be, ‘bring your project to us, local level engage with the administra- At the core of the issue ‘is a broad- and then we’ll make up the rules and tions, the ambiguity and problems will based misunderstanding or lack of policies that apply.’” persist,” Robert B. Townsend, assistant The frustration, Townsend said, is director of research and publications at knowledge about the oral history that years ago, the AHA and OHA the American Historical Association process.’ approached federal regulators seeking (AHA), said in the online discussion. clarifications at the national level about Townsend and Linda Shopes, past It recommended that “research the applicability of the human subjects president of the Oral History whose methodology consists entirely of rules to oral history interviewing. Association and a national leader on collecting data by surveys, conducting “What we have discovered in prac- the IRB issue, were the guest commen- interviews, or observing behavior in tice is that the federal regulations just tators in the online discussion, which public places be exempt from the serve as the starting point for regula- followed publication this fall of an requirement of IRB review.” tions developed at the institutional American Association of University The AAUP report noted that “IRBs level,” he said. “Risk averse university Professors report that takes issue with have objected to research protocols on administrators seem to be the real the federal regulations governing the ground that the subjects might find problem here.” research on human subjects. it distressing even to be asked the ques- The variability from campus to cam- Some aspects of the federal rules, tions the researcher wishes to ask them. pus is significant, the online partici- which were designed to protect subjects “We regard that as an unpardonable pants indicated. of federally funded biomedical research piece of paternalism where the subjects At some schools, IRB rules don’t but which have been extended on many are adults who are free to end their apply if oral history interviews are campuses to all research, regardless of participation at any time, or to refuse deposited in archives; at other schools discipline or funding source, “consti- to participate at all.” all such interviews are subject to IRB tute a threat to academic freedom,” the The AAUP report also noted that review. Even the use of existing inter- AAUP report said. while the federal regulations apply only views is subject to review in some IRB excesses have become legendary. to federally funded research, most places. The AAUP report cited: institutions apply the same rules to all And the penalties for failing to • the case of a linguist studying lan- research on human subjects, even observe the IRB requirements ranges guage development in a preliterate though one study found that at the from a letter of reprimand to retraction tribe being ordered by an IRB to University of Chicago, for example, 80 of publications or removal from have the people read and sign a percent of the social science projects research projects, the online discussion consent form; subject to IRB review were privately revealed. • an IRB telling a Caucasian Ph.D. stu- funded or unfunded. Several online participants asked how dent studying career expectations and The AAUP urged colleges and uni- to go about effecting change. ethnicity not to interview African- versities to “formulate a separate set of Shopes suggested the best alternative American Ph.D. students because it procedures for research that is not fed- is to “educate individual IRBs about the might be traumatic for them; erally funded.” methodological particulars — and the • an attempt by an IRB to deny a mas- The report said 164 institutions, existing ethical guidelines — for oral ter’s degree to a student who failed including Harvard, Princeton, the history.” to get IRB approval before calling University of Chicago and the “In more than one case,” she added, newspaper executives to ask for pub- University of California, Berkeley, “such action has led to a much more licly available printed materials. “have explicitly declined to commit accommodating stance by the IRB vis- The examples come from many disci- themselves” to impose the same rules à-vis oral history. Most IRB members, plines across the humanities and social on non-federally funded research that after all, are conscientious and science, the AAUP noted, adding that a apply to federally funded projects. thoughtful people, who simply have

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not considered the particularities of “Until there is a clear and unequivo- McCormick said that oral history oral history.” cal statement from the federal govern- interviews should be exempt from Katie McCormick, who identified ment exempting ALL oral history from review if they adhere to the OHA and herself as an archivist, oral historian the definition of human subject AHA professional and ethical stan- and IRB member from the University research and mandated IRB review, you dards. At the core of the issue, she said, of North Carolina, Charlotte, echoed will be very hard pressed to get a “is a broad-based misunderstanding or the need for historians to educate their majority of the individual institutions lack of knowledge about the oral histo- campus IRBs. and IRBs to acquiesce,” she said. ry process.”

Oral History Assocation officers and Legal release request By John Neuenschwander, Carthage College members of council As many of you know, I regularly comment and write about legal issues involving oral history. In this capacity I have found it worthwhile to conduct periodic reviews of the legal release agreements that oral historians are using. My purpose in doing so is not to provide a legal assessment for any agreement per se, but to review and comment on the most common types of agreements as well as any novel approaches or significant omissions or problems. Before deciding to send me an agreement, either as an e-mail attachment or by regular mail, you should know that it will be handled pursuant to the following conditions of confidentiality and use. Gathering after the 2006 annual meeting are OHA officers and members First, all agreements will be used in of council. Back row, from left, are: Charles Hardy, first vice president; strictest confidence. No identification Curtis Austin, council member; Alphine Jefferson, president; Mehmed Ali, of any program or individual will be vice president/president-elect. Front row, from left, are: Madelyn Campbell, made in any commentary or analysis executive secretary; Rebecca Sharpless, immediate past president and Kathy that is subsequently published. Nasstrom, council member. Also elected to council was Valerie Yow. Also, no legal evaluation will be pro- OHA members also elected Jennifer Abraham, Chuck Bolton and Linda vided to any program or individual Wood to the Nominating Committee. regarding the advantages or disadvan- tages of the agreement they provide. One will, however, be able to draw some conclusions in this regard from Family history pamphlet published the overall review that will be pub- By Irene Reti, OHA Publications Committee lished. Thank you for your consideration. The Oral History Association announces the publication of Oral History for the You may send your agreement to: John Family Historian: A Basic Guide, the latest in its pamphlet series. The goal of this 70- Neuenschwander, Professor of History, page publication is to provide practical guidance, based on OHA guidelines, to the Carthage College, Kenosha,WI 53140. novice who wishes to conduct family oral history interviews. You also may e-mail your agreement to A good oral history, even a single interview, requires careful planning. Too often, novices and experienced researchers alike jump into an oral history project before me at: [email protected] giving sufficient thought to technical, legal, access and longevity issues. Editor s Note: Neuenschwander, a This pamphlet is designed to help the interviewer or researcher avoid common past president of the OHA, is the author of mistakes by effectively planning, conducting and preserving a family oral history Oral History and the Law, a publication interview. It also contains an extensive list of sample questions, a sample legal in the OHA pamphlet series, and is a release form and other suggested resources. frequent contributor to the OHA Author Linda Barnickel is an archivist in Nashville, Tenn., concentrating on local Newsletter. In addition to teaching history history and military history. She oversees a project to record oral histories with vet- at Carthage College, he is also an attorney erans and has also used oral history in her own genealogical research. and a municipal judge in Kenosha,Wis.

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Community projects need access to training

Community oral history projects, often plagued by low • an interested core of individuals, budgets, need to connect with other community resources, • community support and resources, such as churches and find appropriate practical training and understand the impor- businesses, and tance of project planning, three oral historians said at a con- • external sources of support and resources. ference roundtable on community history projects. A community may have very limited resources, Millwood Former OHA president Rose Diaz, program manager for said, but often, “a single individual is the fireplug” that keeps the Center for the Southwest at the University of New the project going. Mexico, stressed project planning and training for communi- She said training is a critical component for community ty-based oral history projects. oral history projects because community groups “cycle Sometimes, she said, an outside expert can become a neu- through volunteers” frequently, creating a need for ongoing tral mediator or referee for a community group trying to get training in oral history techniques. She suggested a training its project off the ground. DVD or interactive online training sources might offer train- Creating partnerships with institutions such as public ing options for such community groups. libraries, community centers or cultural centers can be the key Nancy MacKay, Mills College librarian who directs the to making community oral history projects accessible, she said. Oakland Living History Program, noted that community oral Libraries can be particularly important partners, Diaz history projects often have a specific short-term goal in mind, noted, because they often have archival recommendations and such as commemorating an anniversary. may have money and can offer research assistance, all of Thus, she said, community oral historians need the tools to which can be important for long-term access. do something quickly, do a great job and then be done with Beth Millwood of the University of North Carolina, it. They need practical, not theoretical, training, she said. Chapel Hill, who works with community groups as outreach She stressed the importance of project planning for com- coordinator for the Southern Oral History Program, identi- munity history groups, which often haven’t even thought fied three components of a successful community oral history about issues like permanent access to the collections they’re project: creating. Veterans history project seeks workshop leaders By Sarah Rouse, Library of Congress

The Veterans History Project at the local workshop leaders with requesting • Planning by the host organization: Library of Congress still needs oral his- organizations. Trainers are paid an how volunteers can seek out willing tory professionals willing to conduct honorarium and, in some cases, travel veterans and providing recording half-day training sessions for laymen expenses. equipment and tape and women who wish to interview Since 2002, more than 100 oral his- • Ability to explain the importance of American war veterans for this national torians and folklorists — members of oral history and its value as a histor- project. the Oral History Association or the ical document Since 2001 when this ambitious American Folklore Society — have • Up-to-date knowledge of the many Library of Congress documentation conducted 240 workshops and trained facets of the Veterans History program began, many of the general 5,000 volunteers. Project public have conducted interviews with In July 2006, the Veterans History • Inclusion of a practicum within the war veterans and donated the tapes to Project invited a handful of experi- workshop so volunteers can practice the library’s rapidly growing archive. As enced VHP workshop leaders to the in a classroom situation and get of October 2006, the project includes Library of Congress for two days of feedback from the trainer more than 45,000 individual collections. sharing experiences and creating a draft • Preparedness in demonstrating the To ensure the quality of volunteer- set of “best practices.” These “best use of recording equipment conducted interviews, the project pro- practices” comprise eight pages and can • The value of advance research, even vided printed guidelines and also be had by contacting Monica if very basic sought professionals to train groups of Mohindra, program officer, Veterans • Interviewing skills: developing rap- volunteers. History Project, at [email protected]. port, listening and dealing with In 2002, the Veterans History A few of the tips are distilled here for emotional moments that arise Project and the American Folklore trainers and those who would like to be If you wish to be considered for the Society agreed that AFS would create trainers. roster of Veterans History Project and manage a group of oral historians • Solid advance planning by the workshop leaders, please send a and folklorists to lead project work- workshop leader with the host resume, including prior training experi- shops throughout the country. AFS organization staff — location, ence, and a cover letter to: Tim Lloyd, Executive Director Tim Lloyd manages tables/chairs, electrical outlets, Executive Director, American Folklore the training requests and matches up VHP Field Kits Society: [email protected].

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11 Oral historian recalls lifetime of interviews

Ninety-year-old Stetson Kennedy, recalled, the interviewers relied on Nonetheless, the interviews uncov- who began collecting oral histories for their memories to reconstruct what an ered hidden gems. the Federal Writers’ Project in Florida “We were like a bunch of kids on a at the age of 21, entranced an OHA treasure hunt,” Kennedy said. “When audience with his recollections of a life- we’d find something, we’d pass it all time of interviews with former slaves, around.” Ku Klux Klan members, turpentine The writers’ project staff exhibited a camp workers and numerous other great deal of dedication, he said, noting Floridians involved in social justice, that the program’s chief purpose was civil rights and environmental issues. providing people with jobs. In 1937, Kennedy recalled, no one could But the staff members were aware of get a Works Progress Administration the importance of what they were job “without taking a pauper’s oath.” doing, he said, adding: “I can’t help but “I was eminently qualified,” he said, think it was much the same all over noting that the unemployed people America.” hired for the work in Florida were paid $37.50 every two weeks. “No one used the term oral histories,” he said. Instead, they were called Conference panelist Stetson Kennedy shares life histories and involved tracking a yarn from his early oral history days with Special thanks down old-timers who could talk about OHA members. The Oral History Association thanks Florida’s early history. the following individuals and organiza- The writers’ project in Florida interviewee said. tions that sponsored the 2006 annual employed 200 field workers, Kennedy Some interviewers turned their work conference in Little Rock,Ark. recalled, noting that they were mostly into literary productions, he said. “We housewives and high school dropouts had to tell them we didn’t want them Baylor University Institute for who developed great rapport with the (the interviews) written up, we wanted Oral History informants, including prostitutes, them written down.” Southern Oral History Program voodoo doctors, former slaves and an Kennedy challenged the merits of and The Center for the Study of assortment of “eccentric characters.” asking people the same questions. The the American South, University of The interviewers had no recording Florida project has hundreds of inter- North Carolina at Chapel Hill equipment, except for a type of disk views in which people talk about mak- recorder that ran off of two car batter- ing soap, he said, adding: “They all Stanley T. Harper, MD, MPH ies. But for the most part, Kennedy made it the same way.” Horace Douglas and Ellie May Jefferson Miss America pageants Kentucky Oral History Commission National New Deal By Barbara W. Sommer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Preservation Association Are women of color who have been Linehan said, women of color got no Randolph-Macon College Miss America contestants being used further than the Miss Congeniality Stetson Kennedy Foundation by the pageant, or have they used the award. pageant for their own ends? Interviews with black women who Texas Oral History Association Mary Linehan of the College of competed for Miss America indicated The College of Wooster Wooster shared with OHA conference they were not seeking to break down attendees her study of popular culture racial barriers as much as they were Pryor Center for Arkansas through an examination of the Miss looking to create an opportunity for Oral and Visual History, America pageant, which she said themselves, particularly because the Special Collections Department, reflects an intersection of race, ethnici- scholarships awarded through the pag- University of Arkansas Libraries ty and sexuality. eant were the best available for women University of Louisville Linehan said the first woman of at the time. Department of History color to compete for the Miss America The black women did not feel title was Miss Tulsa, a Native American exploited by the pageant or believe University of Louisville woman, in 1951. Miss Iowa, Cheryl they exploited the system, Linehan Oral History Center Brown, was the first black woman to said, but they helped change the pag- University of Arkansas at Little Rock compete, in 1970. And Vanessa eant from a beauty contest to a cele- Williams was the first black woman to bration of a more modern woman with University of California Press win the crown, in 1983. Until then, a focus in her life.

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In remembrance ...

On Aug. 31, the Oral History Association lost a valued member, Howard S. Hoffman. He was 81. Howard was emeritus professor of experimental psychology at Bryn Mawr College. He made significant contributions to the field of oral history by raising questions about the reliability and validity of human memory. He began by asking his wife, Alice Hoffman, “To what extent do you think you can rely upon the memory of your oral history informants?” As they struggled to address this question, they developed a plan to test memory in a variety of ways. This research resulted in a book by Hoffman and Hoffman titled The Archives of Memory: A Soldier Recalls World War II. It also led to numerous talks before both audiences of psychologists and oral historians and most recently a chapter in Handbook of Oral History, edited by Thomas Charlton, Lois Myers and Rebecca Sharpless, titled “Memory Theory: Personal and Social.” Howard Hoffman’s intellectual curiosity and willingness to engage in discussion relying upon his expertise will be sorely missed at meetings of the Oral History Association and by all who knew him.

Dr. Albert S. Lyons, a retired gastric surgeon and professor of surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York who was present at the founding of the Oral History Association, died in September. He was 94. In the mid-1960s, Lyons founded the Mount Sinai Archives and directed the medical school’s history of medicine program from 1970-1986 and created an early oral history program at Mount Sinai Hospital. While he did not remain active in the OHA for long, he was involved in its earliest days, which he discusses in the accompanying excerpt from an oral history interview, which he gave in 1994. Because of his efforts, Mount Sinai’s institutional memory remains vital, and he will forever be recorded there. The OHA Newsletter appreciates this contribution from Barbara J. Niss, Mount Sinai archivist. It provides an intriguing insight about the founding of the OHA as the organization celebrates its 40th anniversary. Albert S. Lyons

Lyons describes OHA’s early days

Now, after we had started this [Mount Sinai’s oral history be dominated by the bigger institutions. And then when it program in 1965] — I don’t know, it might have been a year came to raising money, they don’t want to give from their or two, I suddenly got a communication from Los Angeles. funds — it was really tough. And I remember — again, when James Mink, who was, I think, the librarian in UC, at you give an oral history, you’re always the center of attention, Berkeley, probably, was calling together all the people who but I’ve tried to be accurate — I remember getting up and were involved in Oral History, to set up an organization, to saying, “Mr. Chairman, (it was James Mink) I would like to meet at Arrowhead. We spent, I don’t know how many days move that we, everybody here, appoint you, James Mink, the — The most wonderful friends I made, and the most enter- man who started all this, the czar (everybody laughed) of the taining time we had. And James Mink deserves the credit for Oral History Association, (they’d been using the term) with all that. the power to appoint whomever he wants to do with that and Now, there was travail in organization. You had to set up those persons, whatever they want. Of course, he’ll appoint committees. You were going to have to formalize this and so people who are nearby. How else is the work going to get on. And on the last day, when the buses were waiting to leave, done? And then to set up a meeting at another place, at nothing had been done, I mean, had been satisfied. And they another city, with the organizational material all settled.” were fighting. Those who were in Oral History as part of a There was silence, somebody said, “Second.” An acclimation, university, those who were in private organizations, those who and they ran for the bus. were interested on a particular subject, those who were inter- The next year it was at Columbia, at Arden House. And ested in writing a book on a subject — they were all at odds that was interesting, too, because that was really organized. with each other. And those from the Midwest and East, and There were no officers and so on. And wouldn’t you know, I North, and the West, wanted to set it up so they would have was appointed Chairman of the Nominating Committee. I something to do with it, because they were afraid they would don’t know if I did such a good job. I’m serious. There were

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three of us. One was a fellow by the name of [Raymond] Louie whom we had nominated, Gould Coleman, I told him Henle, who was a reporter, and well known, I think, on radio. for vice-president, he said, “Al, I can tell you right this Another was a fellow by the name of Knox Mellon. He was, minute, I will not serve on any committee, any organization, I forget where right now. And we picked a president, Louie and certainly no group of officers where so and so is a mem- Starr. That was a good choice. And we picked a vice-presi- ber.” I told him that I was outraged. I said, “Louie, I have dent, the fellow who was really an enemy of [James Mink] — always admired you. I considered you one of the great peo- they were enemies of each other. ple that not only has instructed me on things, but I’ve They had the most awful times against each other. We learned from and saw how you can carry-things over, and, I picked a treasurer, the fellow who was part of our committee, think, this is an outrage. Not only that, but here,” and I for good reasons: because he had an organization, and his motioned to a room already in preparation. “Gould,” (I name was Knox (Fort Knox) and Mellon (the same name as almost forgot his name), whom I had already spoken to, the Secretary of the U. S. Treasury), so he couldn’t be any- “you two fellows are going to go into that room, and you’re thing else but the OHA Treasurer. going to consider this organization. I’m going to close the Actually, he turned out to be a marvelous treasurer. It was door and I’m standing outside. And Louie, I’m not letting the kind of thing he did well. But the secretary we did badly either of you out, until you come out and agree.” I shut the on…and he eventually had to be replaced, in the first year, door and I waited outside. They were in there about twenty because he didn’t do it. And Louie Starr appointed his associ- minutes. Door opens, Louie strode out. “You win, Al.” And ate. She became the secretary, and she was wonderful. when he accepted the nomination, he said, “And I do want One other thing about that. The fellow I mentioned who to thank my resident psychiatrist, Dr. Albert Lyons.” They we nominated as vice-president, he was from Cornell. Louie all knew I wasn’t a psychiatrist. But that was the Oral Starr and he were enemies from way back. When I told History Association.

Congressional oral histories With dozens of congressmen head- Congress is no longer functioning as greater public discussion of Congress ing for retirement, involuntarily or it should because of intense partisan- and rigorous study of the lawmaking otherwise, New York University’s ship, the high cost of running for body. John Brademas Center for the Study public office and pressures of modern The project is directed by Linda of Congress has its work cut out in its political life. Douglass, senior fellow at the unique plan to conduct exit interviews Brademas Center and former chief with departing House members. The project will encourage Capitol Hill correspondent for ABC “The Reflections Project: Retiring greater public discussion of News. Members of Congress Assess the The center plans to conduct one- Institution” intends to create a per- Congress and rigorous study of on-one interviews, with or without manent collection of interviews with the lawmaking body. audiences, or invite retiring congress- retiring congressmen with an eye men to complete a questionnaire. All toward understanding how Congress The Brademas Center, named after interviews will be videotaped or has changed. former congressman and NYU audiotaped for the center’s archives. Some members, the Brademas President Emeritus John Brademas, Some also may be used for public Center said in a press release, believe said that the project will encourage broadcast.

Editor s note: We hope you enjoy the redesigned OHA Newsletter.Thanks go to Publications Committee Chair Irene Reti and designer Jessica Bucciarelli.And please welcome Alexandra Tzoumas, the new photo and production editor. Special thanks also to Barb Sommer, who helped cover OHA conference sessions for the newsletter. What hasn’t changed is the Newsletter s desire to include a wide array of information about oral historians and their projects and developments in the field. Please send your stories, or ideas for stories, to the editor, Mary Kay Quinlan, at: [email protected] photos should be sent to Alexandra Tzoumas at: [email protected]. The deadline for the spring issue is March 1, 2007. Stories and photos for the summer issue should be sent by July 1, 2007.

OHA Newsletter 13 Winter 2006 OHA Winter06.qxd 11/28/06 9:33 PM Page 14 Kentucky Celebrates Commission’s 30th Anniversary The Kentucky Oral History Commission marked its 30th anniversary Sept. 8–9 at a celebration in Louisville, Ky., titled “Kentucky Conference on Oral History: Accomplished Past. Challenging Future.” The conference featured a wide variety of nationally and internationally known oral historians, including numerous former presidents of the Oral History Association. The MOHA Sponsors Full Slate of Workshops OHA The Michigan Oral History Association presented workshops every weekend in October as part of its ongoing efforts to teach and consult with local groups interested in developing oral history projects. newsletter Secretary Geneva Kebler Wiskemann reported that MOHA members presented workshops at the Lake Orion Township Public Library, the Northeast Michigan Museum Conference, the West Michigan History Conference, the Eaton County Historical Conference and a National Endowment for the welcomes Humanities-funded seminar for teachers. your Idaho Women Veterans Recount World War II Stories Interviews with four dozen women involved in World War II are featured on a recently completed Idaho Oral History Center Web site and are part of the contributions national Veterans History Project. The interviews, conducted by history center staff, interns, volunteers and outside contributors, record the stories of women who served in the Army, of state and Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. The project also interviewed Red Cross workers, nurses, factory workers and women who lived as civilians in Japan, Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, England and the United States during the war. Troy Reeves, recently named state historian at the Idaho State Historical regional news. Society, said in a press release that the stories “depict the various experiences of women engaged in this worldwide conflict, making for a more complete picture of this period.”

State and Regional News The oral history center is continuing to seek veterans and women who lived through World War II and who are willing to be interviewed.

The Web site is: www.idahohistory.net/women_vets.html.

New publications

What To Do After the Interview Archivist and oral historian Nancy MacKay leads readers through the tasks they need to accomplish after an oral history interview in Curating Oral Histories: From Interview to Archive published by Left Coast Press Inc. The practical guide covers transcribing, cataloging, preserving archiving and making oral history interviews accessible to others. It includes planning strategies and useful resources to make an oral history recording “archive ready.”

Examining Hurricane Katrina There Is No Such Thing As a Natural Disaster: Race, Class, and Hurricane Katrina, edited by Chester Hartman and Gregory D. Squires and published by Routledge, is a compilation of 14 essays that examine the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the Gulf Coast last year. OHA members Alan H. Stein and Gene B. Preuss are among the distinguished essayists. Their chapter is titled “Oral History, Folklore and Katrina.”

Women Shipyard Workers on DVD The Northwest Women’s History Project has created a 20-minute media production on DVD titled Good Work Sister! Women Shipyard Workers of World War II: An Oral History. Using period music, posters, photos and interviews, the production tells the stories of women who performed skilled ship- building jobs in Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, Wash., from 1942 to 1945. For information on obtaining the DVD, visit the project’s Web site: www.goodworksister.org.

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Call for Papers The revolutionary ideal: Transforming community through oral history The Oral History Association Communities have transformed rap- and discussant, workshops, and invites proposals for papers and pre- idly over the years and the topics poster sessions, as well as media sentations for its 2007 annual meet- generated by such change will be and performance-oriented sessions. ing to be held October 24–28, 2007 explored at the conference. at the Marriott Oakland City Center in Proposals that deal with issues such At the conference, we also look for- Oakland, Calif. as gentrification, urban renewal, ward towards helping to create a community health, globalization and community that can continue revolu- As always, the Program Committee of local empowerment are strongly tionizing the field of oral history after the OHA welcomes proposals for pre- encouraged. Technological changes participants have left Oakland. sentations on a variety of topics. will be another major component of However, in keeping with this year’s the conference and topics such as Proposal format: submit five copies theme, “The Revolutionary Ideal: digitization, consumption of oral his- of the proposal. For full sessions, Transforming Community through tory, community archiving practices, submit a title, a session abstract of Oral History,” the 2007 Annual and the democratization of knowl- not more than two pages, and a one- Meeting will concentrate on the revo- edge will be presented. Oral history page vita or resume for each partici- lution in oral history as it relates to projects that deal with specific revo- pant. For individual proposals, sub- social and political change, communi- lutions such as the Chinese mit a one-page abstract and a one- ty survival and changes in technology. Revolution and the Sexual page vita or resume of the presenter. Revolution will also play a focal point Each submission must be accompa- Oakland is a symbolic center of revo- in the conference. nied by a cover sheet, which can be lutionary thought, and action, and the printed from the OHA Web site: committee is especially interested in Regional historians and students of www.dickinson.edu/oha. realizing how “revolutions,” both the Bay Area, Calif., the Pacific large and small, have an impact on Northwest and Canadian history are Proposals should be postmarked by society and community. The encouraged to submit proposals. In January 15, 2007. They may be Association is seeking presentations addition to those whose work con- submitted by mail or fax. E-mail that deal with social and economic cerns international topics, the com- attachment will also be accepted, but justice, environmentalism, Black mittee invites proposals for presenta- must include the “cover sheet” in Power, civil rights, gender and tions that reflect on the “revolution- electronic form and must be one gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender ary” process of oral history and the complete document in Microsoft peoples, migrant and immigrant com- role of technology and theory in its WORD format. Should you not munities, peoples with disability and practice. A variety of formats and receive email confirmation by independent living, and regional, presentation methods are welcome, February 5th, please contact the Pacific and Western histories. including traditional panels with chair OHA office.

Submit proposal directly to the OHA office at the address below. Queries may be directed to: Mehmed Ali, Horacio Roque Ramirez, Norma Smith, First Vice President Program Co-Chair Program Co-chair [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 978-275-1826 626-354-1808 510-465-2094

Proposals should be sent by January 15, 2007, to: Madelyn Campbell Oral History Association, Dickinson College P. O. Box 1773 • Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013 Telephone: 717-245-1036 • Fax: 717-245-1046

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13th Annual Morrissey Australians Invite Oral communities, understanding memory, Workshop Set in San History Proposals oral history and independent practitioners and addressing changing tech- Francisco “Old Stories New Ways” is the theme nology. The 13th annual Morrissey Oral of the 2007 national conference of the History Workshop in San Francisco is Oral History Association of Australia, Feb. 28, 2007, is the proposal deadline. set for Feb. 23–25, 2007, at the Fort set for Sept. 27–30 next year at the For details, visit the association’s Web Mason Center. Riverglenn Conference Center, site: www.ohaaqld.org.au. Taught by former OHA president Indooroopilly, Brisbane, Queensland, Charles T. Morrissey, the workshop Australia. Pennsylvania Offers covers project management, interview- Conference planners invite proposals Research Stipends ing techniques, ethical dilemmas, tran- on interpreting stories, working with Anyone conducting research on scription, fund raising and an opportu- Pennsylvania history is invited to apply nity to network with a wide variety of for the Pennsylvania Historical and oral history practitioners. Museum Commission’s 2007–08 schol- Previous workshops have drawn partic- ars in residence program. ipants from throughout the United Scholars receive a stipend of $375 a States, including Alaska and Hawaii, and week for up to eight weeks for from Guam and Canada. Class size is research in manuscript and artifact col- limited to 30. lections in any of the commission’s For registration details and information archives, museums and historic sites. on accommodations, contact Elizabeth The application deadline is Jan. 12, A.Wright at 415-928-3417 or by e-mail 2007. Complete details are at: at: [email protected]. www.phmc.state.pa.us.

Oral History Association Nonprofit NEWSLETTER The Oral History Association U.S. Postage P.O. Box 1773 Newsletter (ISSN: 0474-3253) is PAID Jefferson City, MO published three times yearly by the Carlisle, PA 17013 PERMIT NO. 210 Oral History Association for its members. Copy deadlines are: March 1, July 1 and Nov. 1.

Submit stories to Editor Mary Kay Quinlan, 7524 S. 35th St., Lincoln, NE 68516, or via e-mail at [email protected]

Submit photographs to Photo and Production Editor Alexandra Tzoumas at [email protected]

Address membership, change of address, subscription and delivery inquiries to: University of California Press, Journals, 2000 Center St., Suite 303, Berkeley, CA 94704-1223. Phone: 510-643-7154. E-mail: [email protected]