Ten Forty Matrix Newsletter May 2018 www.olderdykes.org

What’s On? Dykes for Dinner For your diaries... 6.30pm Thursday 14 June The Royal Hotel Future topics for Dinner and Dinner and Discussion Group for 156 Norton Street Leichhardt Older No BYOG Discussion Group for Older Lesbians 440 bus from Central August: The Demented Fear of Dementia Topic: All About Us RSVP to by Sunday 10 June Our lives and histories as lesbians [email protected] Presented by Pearlie Saturday 4 August 6-9pm 5.45 for 6pm Saturday 2 June 2018 More info in the July newsletter Cate Turner, who has had a long and active October: Open Mic Night life as a , will open the evening with Saturday 6 October 6-9pm a little of her herstory. Then we will all get a 6.30pm Thursday 12 July Advance notice seeking musicians, chance to share and compare our own stories Surjits Indian singers and comedians for a fun night of in small groups. 215 Parramatta Road entertainment, music, song and more. Annandale No bookings required, and we warmly BYO and licenced Contact Sandy to register your interest in welcome any newcomers. Any bus along Parramatta Road performing. Mervyn Fletcher Hall, 81 Dalhousie Street RSVP by Sunday 8 July Email: [email protected] (cnr Dixon St), Haberfield. [email protected] More info in the September newsletter BYO food to share and your own drinks. Gold coin donation Out & About Summer Solstice Party A monthly social group in the Sydney area. For further information Saturday 22 December For details about the February event, please [email protected] email [email protected] More info in the November newsletter

1 Jane read widely and was influenced by Jane fell in love with Mary Rozet Smith and Report from our April writings about ‘settlement houses’. These lived with her for 30 years until Mary’s death meeting houses were for educated people to live with in 1934. poorer people and support their education. Queen Christina 1626-1689 Jane visited the first settlement house, The topic was ‘Choose a lesbian and/ Toynbee Hall, in England. After her father’s or feminist (dead or alive!) to take to She and her partner Ellen Gates Starr bought in death in 1632 dinner’. a decrepit mansion called Hull House. Kristina (her What was interesting about our choices Together they repaired it and over many years original name) was that of the eleven lesbians invited to established both a home for themselves and became Queen, aged dinner seven were from the USA, one was many other women (many of them lesbian) as 6. Her father had Australian, one Swedish, one Irish and one well as needy poor women. Activities included given instructions Mexican. Interestingly no women from the caring for children of working parents and for his only child UK! nursing the sick. Over time the settlement to be educated as grew to include an art gallery, a public a prince which Below is an overview of our chosen lesbians... kitchen, elder care, a gymnasium, public meant she studied Jane Addams 1860-1935 baths, literacy and citizenship preparation art, philosophy, classes, health clinics, an art studio, a music languages as well as ballet to improve her Jane was a USA school, a drama program, a circulating grace and poise. It’s hard to think that suffrage and library, a meeting place and museum for she enjoyed the latter very much, as she social activist. She labour unions, and an employment centre. was always somewhat contemptuous of is known as the “feminine” things, probably preferring Though deeply rooted in the local mother of social fencing, which she learnt along with neighbourhood, Jane’s activism extended work. She was horsemanship. from an affluent, well beyond it. She was devoted to causes In 1644, aged 18, Kristina was crowned conservative such as women’s suffrage, the rights Queen of Sweden. From an early age she wore home but her of children, the peace movement, the men’s clothing and made her distaste for the father supported eradication of racism and other progressive idea of marriage obvious. her attendance and reform movements. at University. Jane helped to establish the Women’s She had an intense relationship with Her studies were International League for Peace and Freedom, Ebba Sparre with whom she maintained interrupted and was president for many years. Her correspondence for many years after leaving by illness, the result of childhood spinal extensive political activity in so many fields Sweden. tuberculosis, and she suffered ongoing health led to her being awarded the Nobel peace Kristina converted to Roman Catholicism problems for the rest of her life. prize in 1931. which was forbidden for a ruler of Sweden.

2 This combined with a lack of interest in men the USA and even one in Melbourne. Del and lesbians in NOW would alienate women and her desire to live as an open lesbian led Phyllis produced a magazine called The Ladder and supporters from the organisation. her to abdicate in 1654. which for a long time was the only journal Rita Mae was ultimately thrown out of The drama of her abdication inspired no written for and about lesbians. the organisation. Twenty years later Betty less than four operas, as well as multiple They were active in NOW (National apologised, acknowledging she was wrong. novels and plays. It was even the subject of a Organisation for Women) and were the first Rita Mae and other lesbians from the Gay Greta Garbo movie in 1933. The Hays Office lesbians to take on senior roles in NOW, Liberation Front created The Woman-Identified made sure producer Louis B Mayer knew which had been opposed to out lesbians in Woman. The group then went on to become that any overt reference to her sexuality earlier years. the Radicalesbians. wouldn’t be tolerated, so he had to give her In 1989 they joined the organisation Older In 1979 Rita Mae Brown and Martina a male love interest as the “real” reason she Lesbians Organising for Change (OLOC). Navratilova began a relationship. They abdicates. Others were more open to her Their pioneer book Lesbian Women written in bought a horse farm in Charlottesville where unconventional sexual identity. Throughout 1972 is still seen as a landmark text. they lived together until their breakup three history there have always been people like years later. Rita Mae still lives on the farm, Kristina – people who didn’t fit into the Rita Mae Brown 1944 – where she is surrounded by animals. narrow boundaries of society and gender. Well known USA She is still a feminist activist, also a mystery Del Martin 1921–2008 and lesbian activist writer, fox hunter, (the foxes are not killed) Phyllis Lyon 1925 – and writer of 37 screenwriter, novelist, and animal rescuer. lesbian fiction Billie Jean King 1943 – books, Rita Mae Brown is best American tennis known for writing great Billie Jean one of the most King broke influential lesbian down barriers novels of all time, by pushing for Rubyfruit Jungle, equal prize which she wrote money for women in 1973 and becoming This famous pair of USA activists began a She was a founder member of Lavender one of the first relationship in 1952 until Del’s death in Menace, a radical lesbian feminist group well-known gay 2008, aged 87. Phyllis is now 93. set up in 1970 to combat in the athletes. Their key activism was the formation of National Organisation of Women (NOW). Although married, Billie Jean began a secret the first lesbian organisation, Daughters’ of The president Betty Friedan, and many relationship with Marilyn Barnett, her Bilitis, which eventually had chapters all over liberal members believed that having open hairdresser and personal assistant, in 1971.

3 What unfolded between the two women was conductor on the Sydney buses, and taught began her full- marked by the repression of that period, creative writing in schools, prisons and time career as although their relationship was clearly community workshops. a musician, portrayed in the 2017 film, Battle of the Sexes . Over the years Dorothy developed into a playing guitar, In 1971, Billie Jean became the first woman celebrated poet, best known for her many and singing her athlete ever to win more than $100,000 a verse novels, in particular The Monkey’s own lyrics, in the Greenwich year. She was the No. 1 ranked woman tennis Mask, which became was a stage play and Village coffee player in the world through most of the a film. Her verse novels tackle interesting house scene in 1960s and early 1970s, winning 39 Grand and difficult issues: psychiatric hospitals the early sixties. Slam titles. in the 1960s, child sexual abuse, a lesbian In 1965 Alix In 1973, at age 29, she won the “Battle of detective, and a recreation of the life of married Sam Nefertiti’s husband, Akhenaten – a story of the Sexes” tennis match against 55-year- Hood who ran in Greenwich incest, heresy, androgyny and a massive cult old Bobby Riggs who was an arrogant and Village. Their daughter Adrian was born of personality. outspoken misogynist. in1970. Dorothy found many outlets for writing, Billie Jean has been a consistent and strong In 1971 she left the marriage and came including fiction for young adults and libretti advocate for gender equality and has long out as a lesbian in 1972, turning to writing for chamber operas. She was working on a been a pioneer for social justice. and singing for women in general and to rock opera called January at the time of her Regarded by many in the sport as one of the building lesbian culture in particular. Alix death. greatest tennis players of all time, King was was a well-known public personality and inducted into the International Tennis Hall Dorothy (she preferred to be called Dot) this was a brave stance. She identifies as of Fame in 1987. was openly lesbian and in 1993 moved a radical lesbian feminist; her first 1973 from Sydney to Melbourne to be with her album Lavender Jane Loves Women is a lesbian Dorothy Porter 1954 – 2008 partner, fellow writer Andrea Goldsmith. classic. Dorothy Porter They lived together until Dorothy’s death, Alix has been a highly vocal proponent of was born in aged 54, from breast cancer. Dorothy was women-only space through her consistent Sydney and also a self-described pagan, committed to exclusion of males. In a letter to the National attended the pagan principles of courage, stoicism and Center for Lesbian Rights, she explained, prestigious commitment to the earth and beauty. “For over twenty years men have declared Queenwood Alix Dobkin 1940 – themselves ‘women,’ manipulated their School for bodies and then demanded the feminist seal Girls before studying for an Arts degree at Alix Dobkin was born in into of approval from survivors of girlhood. My Sydney University, and later on a Diploma a Jewish communist family and was raised lyrics are not ‘oppressive’ but refer to those of Education. Before she became famous in and Kansas City. She gained of us who have a girlhood and a clitoris, and she worked on an Israeli kibbutz, as a bus a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1962. She no one else”. She is a leader in Older Lesbians

4 Organising for Change (OLOC), a cooperative was Elizabeth’s widowed sister-in-law. Olive Lorena Hickok was loud and brash, loved community of Old Lesbian feminist activists and Marston had two sons. food and drink, played a good game of poker, from many backgrounds working for justice Inspired by Elizabeth and Olive, William smoked a lot and swore frequently. and the wellbeing of all Old Lesbians. would go on to create Wonder Woman, Meeting Hick transformed Eleanor’s life. In 2009, Alix wrote a memoir, My Red Blood, portraying lesbianism as normal and good, Lorena had grown up poor in rural South which was published by Alyson Books. Today, and women as powerful, loving, and in Dakota and worked as a servant after she as well as her work in OLOC, she spends control of their own desires. escaped an abusive home. Hick’s admiration time with her daughter, son-in law and Jill Lepore reported in her book The Secret drew Eleanor out of her shell, and they grandchildren. History of Wonder Woman, that Olive has quickly fell in love. For the next thirteen years, Hick had her own room at the White Olive Byrne 1904 – 1990 been credited by some as being Marston’s inspiration for the physical appearance of House, next door to Eleanor’s. Over the next Olive Byrne was Wonder Woman. thirty years, at different stages, they were lovers, confidantes, professional advisors, and the daughter of After William died in 1947, Olive and caring friends. Ethel Byrne, who Elizabeth continued their relationship until famously opened Olive’s death in 1990. Both were fiercely passionate and inspired the first birth- each other to right the wrongs of the control clinic in Eleanor Roosevelt 1884-1962 turbulent era in which they lived. During the the United States Depression, Hick reported from the nation’s Eleanor was with her sister poorest areas, and Eleanor used her reports America’s Margaret Sanger. to lobby the her husband, the President, longest-serving Olive would have for New Deal programs, which created First Lady – from been exposed 1933 to 1945 jobs and provided financial support for the to her mother’s strong feminist and radical – before her unemployed, the young, and the elderly. views. husband Franklin Many people questioned the truth of a Olive, Elizabeth Marston and William D. Roosevelt died lesbian relationship between Eleanor and Marston fell in love during the late 1920s at in office. Despite Hick, but if proof was needed, the following Tufts University where they were working being born into extracts from a letter she wrote tell a story. as psychological researchers. The three great wealth and “Hick my dearest – I cannot go to bed tonight became intimately involved in a polyamorous privilege Eleanor without a word to you. I felt a little as though relationship and lived together for many became a fierce advocate for human rights, a part of me was leaving tonight. You have years, with both women having Marston’s feminism, and the underprivileged. grown so much to be a part of my life that it children. Eleanor had a thirty-year love affair with is empty without you…I wish I could lie down Olive and Elizabeth embodied the feminism journalist Lorena Hickok, an out lesbian beside you tonight & take you in my arms. of the day. They told census takers that Olive whom she affectionately referred to as ‘Hick’. I’ve been trying to bring back your face — to

5 remember just how you look. Funny how even autobiographical elements and mixed realism writing articles about her travels. Her father the dearest face will fade away in time. Most with fantasy. died in 1961 and her mother in 1962 which clearly I remember your eyes, with a kind of Frida joined the Mexican Communist Party in enabled her at 31 years old to set off on her teasing smile in them, and the feeling of that 1927 and there met her long time (married- famous trip from Ireland to India. soft spot just north-east of the corner of your divorced-remarried) partner Diego Rivera, Dervla has a deep social conscience and her mouth against my lips.” Mexico’s famous muralist and communist. writings include her political concerns and Frida Kahlo 1907-1954 Diego believed in free love and had many opinions about the places she visits. She is a affairs. Although he did not tolerate Frida’s strong advocate for the disenfranchised and Frida affairs with men, he encouraged or was open poor. Kahlo was about her affairs with women. Frida herself Despite the rumours there is no evidence born to was open about having many affairs with of Dervla being a lesbian. Her relationship a Jewish both men and women, including one with bi- German sexual singer Josephine Baker. father and The relationship between Frida and a Spanish/ Josephine was impressive because they Indigenous were two strong-willed women who stood mother. up against racism and bigotry, which were As a result wrapped up in the social conventions and Frida had norms of the early 20th century. a strong connection Frida’s other relationships with women are less known. Apparently, after Frida died her to Mexican and indigenous culture and with the late Terence de Vere White, who was friends edited and destroyed parts of her always dressed in traditional clothing. literary editor of the Irish Times and a writer, diaries. It is possible that this aspect of her Frida had polio as a child and in her teens was resulted in the planned birth of Rachel in involved in a bus accident in which she was life was destroyed or edited out of history 1968. because of homophobia. impaled in the pelvis with an iron rod and her Asked if it was tough being a single mother spinal column broken in three places. This Dervla Murphy 1931 – back then, Dervla says: “It wasn’t in the left her with a life of pain. She began painting slightest bit tough because it didn’t bother during her long recovery. Dervla Murphy is an Irish travel writer who me”. She and her daughter are very open Described as a surrealist painter, Frida spent her early travels on a bicycle travelling about their lives and a documentary Who employed a naïve folk art style to explore alone with little in the way of resources, is Dervla Murphy? addresses this. However questions of identity, postcolonialism, worked abroad and wrote many travel books. she remained single and travelled with her gender, class, and race in Mexican As a young girl of 14 she left school to care for daughter when she was a child. More recently society. Her paintings often had strong her disabled mother. She made short trips on she has travelled with her daughter and her her bike of between 3 and 6 weeks, and began three grandchildren.

6 Big Rough Stones On the Water at Woy Woy About Ten Forty by Margaret Merrilees Sixteen women hungry for seafood arrived The first national conference of Ten Forty in the mid-eighties attracted by train at Woy Woy. The train ride is a treat politically active feminists of all hues and sexualities. However, over Award winning author Margaret Merrilees as it crosses the Hawkesbury River and then time it became obvious that a huge majority of women attending visited Sydney on 23 May to launch her novel skirts Mullet Creek up to Woy Woy. From the follow-up meetings and activities in Sydney were lesbian feminists. Big Rough Stones. The title comes from a poem station we found our lunch venue Fishermen’s Today Ten Forty Matrix and Older Dykes refer to the same group of by South Australian Miriel Lenore, the walls Wharf and from there some women went for women. We enjoy discussion on the issues we face in work, life and at of lesbos and mirrors the characters in the a walk along the Brisbane Waters waterfront, home, and hold regular fun events to keep us in touch with the lighter book who now, in their late sixties, deal with while others had coffee or hit the op shop. side of life. ageing as older lesbian feminists and recall The seafood lunch was delicious and copious Our website www.olderdykes.org encourages national and their younger radical days. with fresh prawns and oysters and salt and international connections between older lesbians. Clearly Merrilees has lived the life she has pepper squid, salmon and more. You can pay an annual fee to join Ten Forty Matrix, or you can illuminated with insight, wit and humour in The day was full of friendly chatter and her novel. Set in South Australia with flash laughter which was only a problem if you participate as a casual member. If you want to receive regular backs to the seventies, eighties and nineties, found yourself in a designated quiet carriage information about our activities and the free bi-monthly newsletter those who were active lesbian feminists on the train! join our mailing list www.olderdykes.org/mailList/?p=subscribe during these years will identify with the Many thanks to Jan for suggesting and trials, tribulations, loves and joys of the Newsletter organising this great day out. characters. To receive a free emailed newsletter, please email Kel This is a must read page turner for older [email protected] lesbians. Get your library to order it if you The web edition and back copies of the newsletter are available for can’t afford to buy it. You may also like download from our website to read, Fables Queer and Familiar, also by www.olderdykes.org/about_us/ Margaret Merrilees. This started out as an newsletters.html online serial and was also broadcast as a radio serial. Some of the same characters Who currently does what? appear in both books. Events planning: Members of the Ten Forty Matrix committee Check out www.margaretmerrilees.com Telephone contact: Jan 9810 1862 for more information. She leaves you wanting Utilities box: Sylvia and Gillian to read all about yourself because that is what Money Management: Kel you will find in the book, yourself and all Websisters: Jan, Ruth, Dorothy, Diann, your friends. Sandy Sylvia Newsletter: editing and layout Ruth and Dorothy 7