Old Organizing for Change A quarterly Founded publication of OLOC in 1989 December 2015 Vol 25 #4 News from the Steering Committee Bailey (1939), and Mary Anne Adams (1954). By , 1940 Mary Anne later withdrew from the SC but will The OLOC Steering Committee held its continue to work with us and ZAMI NOBLA to semiannual meeting October 22–25 at the produce next year’s Gathering. Atlanta Holiday Inn Airport North. That is We left after four days, convinced Atlanta where, as you probably already know, OLOC is the right location in which to celebrate our and Atlanta-based ZAMI NOBLA (National Tenth National Gathering. Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging) as Black Lives Matter well as the Atlanta OLOC Chapter will co- OLOC fully supports the movement called produce the 10th National OLOC Gathering, Black Lives Matter as it moves forward in the October 5–9, 2016. challenging work of creating change in the criminal justice system. In the words of one OLOC, ZAMI NOBLA, and of the three (queer/) founders, Alicia the Atlanta OLOC Chapter Garza, “Black lives are systematically and will co-produce the 10th intentionally targeted for demise;” Black Lives National OLOC Gathering, Matter is “an affirmation of Black folks’ October 5–9, 2016. contributions to this society, our humanity and our resilience in the face of deadly First on the agenda was the MOU oppression.” The term “Black Lives Matter” (Memorandum of Understanding) between started as #BlackLivesMatter in reaction to OLOC, ZAMI NOBLA, and Atlanta OLOC that the killing of Trayvon Martin, a teenager in we finalized at the meeting. We modified the Florida who was shot by a volunteer com- Membership and Mission Statements, agreed munity security guard who was later on modifications to our brochure, examined acquitted of Martin’s murder. It grew into a the budget, talked about the fund-raising movement, and the name is part and parcel letter, and did lots more business. Ten local of that specific and particular movement. Old Lesbians joined us and we began getting Because OLOC works against the erasure acquainted and setting the framework for our and oppression of women, we also fully new partnership. support a second movement, Black Women’s On Sunday we brunched at Twisted Soul Lives Matter, which is calling attention to the restaurant with other Atlanta Lesbians and reality that Black women lose their lives and then saw the small but impressive ZAMI freedom in the criminal justice system as well NOBLA office in downtown Atlanta that as men, and it is often underreported. Right OLOC will share until the end of 2016. now this group is working to bring about We welcomed three new Steering Commit- justice for Marissa Alexander, who was tee members who had served as provisional imprisoned for shooting a legally owned gun members for this and the previous meeting: into the air to frighten away her abusive Ali Marrero-Calderon (1948), Paij Wadley- (Continued on page 2) OLOC is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. The OLOC Reporter is published by Old (Continued from page 1) Lesbians Organizing for Change: husband, who was threatening to commit violence  www.oloc.org; e-mail: [email protected] against her again.  PO Box 5853, Athens, OH 45701; 888-706-7506 For more information on both of these movements, This Newsletter Brought to You By: contact [email protected] for suggestions of things to read. Co-Editors: Jennice Thomas, 1940, and Susan OLOC members involved in the Black Lives Matter and Wiseheart, 1941. Black Women’s Lives Matter movements are invited to Proofreader and copy-editor: Nancy Krody, send us stories of what you have been doing. 1939. Content Review: Alix Dobkin, 1940, Jan Griesinger, 1942, and Sally Tatnall, 1937. Athens Celebrates Artful Aging Design/Layout: Malinda McCain, 1940. By Jan Griesinger, 1942 The mailing crew and all of the writers and photographers. The final event of a ten–week creative writing Deadline for the next issue: Feb 1, 2016. residency, sponsored by the Ohio Arts Council and its Limit submissions to 300 words. Contact us for new Artful Aging Ohio initiative, was held at a nursing a style guide. We may edit articles for clarity home. Participants had been reading and writing, and/or length. Send articles to OLOC at considering how to move forward and remain vital as [email protected] or OLOC, PO Box 5853, Athens, OH 45701. we age. As part of the proceedings, I read a poem that Current Steering Committee Members I had found years ago in a publication from the Older Contact List Feminist Network. The poem was “Nothing to Lose,” Co-Directors: written by Astra. Before I read it, I gave my name and Alix Dobkin, 1940, Woodstock, NY, age, and used the word ageism. I brought literature on [email protected], 845-679-7586 Sally Tatnall, 1937, Lyndhurst, OH, ageism and offered to do workshops on the topic. After [email protected], 216-862-0598 reading the poem, I did a chant and asked the Steering Committee Members: audience to participate: Jan Griesinger, 1942, Athens, OH, “We’re here, [email protected], 740-448-6424 we’re old, Ruth Debra, Operations Coordinator, 1944, Palm Springs ,CA, [email protected], we’re fabulous, 760-318-6794 don’t mess with us.” Bonnie Wagner, 1942, Woodstock, NY, bonnie And the 40 or so attending, mostly old women, did @oloc.org, 845-679-7710 or 845-417-1481 join in. After the event, many in the audience said they Pat Cull, 1942, Oakland ,CA, [email protected], 415-637-5002 liked the poem and the chant. They also asked for Ali Marrero-Calderon, 1948, Oakland, CA, and copies of the information on aging (a half page written Bayamon, Puerto Rico, [email protected], by Mary Morgan explaining/describing what ageism is). 510-365-6745 Paij Wadley-Bailey, 1939, Montpelier, VT, [email protected], 802-224-0406 OLOC is a Wolfe Video affiliate. Use this OLOC Membership (10-23-2015): National OLOC welcomes as members Old Lesbians link to order from Wolfe, and OLOC will who have reached their 60th year. receive cash to support our work: Who We Are: OLOC is an organization wolfevideo.com/default.asp?R=1344 of Old Lesbians. We are dedicated to preserving and enhancing the Lesbian voice Wolfe Video is Lesbian-owned-and-operated. as well as increasing Lesbian visibility in a world that stifles it and threatens to erase it. OLOC Mission: To eliminate the oppres- sion of ageism and to stand in solidarity against all oppressions. If you are a member of National OLOC who wants to be on OLOC’s National Yahoo e-mail list, you can subscribe OLOC Vision Statement: OLOC will be a cooperative community of by going to groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ Old Lesbian feminist activists from many NationalOLOC/info. If you have any problems, backgrounds working for justice and the well- contact [email protected]. being of all Old Lesbians.

Dec 2015 www.oloc.org Toll free 888-706-7506 Page 2 Chapter News Champlain Valley Region Chapter High- New Mexico Chapter lights Lesbian Pride By Paula Fisher, 1951 By Madeleine Winterfalcon, 1950 Three of the topics at recent meetings that In view of recent Lesbian Identity Theft, the brought many women out for stimulating, Champlain Valley Region OLOC Chapter in heartfelt conversations were “Aging and Dis- Burlington, Vermont, felt it was important to abilities,” “Intentional Communities,” and “Sex affirm the word Lesbian in our local Pride Parade. and the Aging Lesbian.” Our monthly Break- The signs we carried read: fast Club also brings many women together “Old Time Lesbian Feminist” for lively, fun conversations. “Lesbian by Choice, Gender Abolitionist We maintained a table at the New Mexico by Logic” Conference on Aging in August and made “Affirming Lesbian Pride” connections with Old Lesbians who had not “Lesbian” previously heard about us! “Lesbian Feminist” National OLOC referred us to a woman living “Don’t Be Afraid, Join Us” in a nursing home here in Albuquerque. We made contact with her and several of our chapter members are visiting her on a regular basis. One of our goals this year is to reach out to Lesbians in assisted living and nursing homes. Several of our attempts to work with facility administration have not been fruitful. Any referrals are appreciated! Central Ohio Chapter Educates About Ageism By Jan Griesinger, 1942 Champlain Valley OLOC in Burlington VT In October, the Central Ohio OLOC chapter was invited to speak at Ohio University Women’s St. Louis Chapter Center. We spoke about our work to encourage By Charlotte Ellis, 1943 facilities for old people to train their staff to be Our chapter received some recognition for more welcoming to LGBT people. our participation in a 50th Birthday of Medi- We also helped members in our audience care party. Jeannette Mott Oxford, a longtime to understand ageism. We gave them each Missouri activist, asked if OLOC wanted to be an ageist birthday card and asked them to tell on the committee with several other organi- us what they saw on the card about ageism. zations. I told her our chapter would not be This helped them to see the problem visually meeting, but I would be glad to be on the and encouraged them to speak about it. committee. So we were listed in the program Members of the audience spoke about their as one of the sponsoring organizations. own mothers and grandmothers and how Three of our OLOC members were there, they were choosing to deal with aging. One and we were asked to stand up. young woman said she had seen an ad for a Several of us also attended a free sneak drug that urged women in their twenties to preview of the movie Freeheld because take it to avoid aging. OLOC members received invitations. OLOC T-Shirts Denim Shirts Hopefully, one of these days we will Sweatshirts Cloisonné Lapel Pins start meeting regularly again. Buttons And More! Go to www.oloc.org/market/ market.html.

Dec 2015 www.oloc.org Toll free 888-706-7506 Page 3 Alix Dobkin Performs Concert for Our suggestion is to find two or three Old Lesbi- Hudson Valley OLOC ans to meet and discuss this and send National By Retts Scauzillo, 1953 OLOC your ideas and information on what On Sunday afternoon, September 27, OLOC you’d like to do, when, how, and what the of the Hudson Valley proudly produced Lesbian cost would be. We will gladly work with you to icon and womyn’s music pioneer Alix Dobkin make it happen. at the LGBTQ Center of the Hudson Valley in ANNOUNCEMENTS Kingston, New York. Alix also happens to be Co-Director of National OLOC. Her concert Research on Experiences of Old Lesbians was billed as “Just Alix,” but, in keeping with with Home Care Workers Extended her folk roots and to honor her now “Grandma If you currently receive home care services Alix” status, her two grandsons, Lucca and or have done so in the past five years, are Marly Lofaro, joined her on a family song. Lesbian and 65 years of age or older, and are They both sang and Lucca played guitar to interested in sharing your experiences in a Inch by Inch. The audience loved it, and most research study on this topic, please contact sang along. Dr. Sandy Butler from the University of Maine But, of course, Alix also performed many of School of Social Work at 844-641-2382 (toll free) her Lesbian favorites, to the delight of the or [email protected] for more information. mostly Old Lesbian audience. Her daughter Research involves one telephone interview Adrian Hood and son-in-law Chris Lofaro were (lasting 30 to 45 minutes) for which participants also present, along with her niece Allison will receive $25. Recruitment of study par- Dobkin. Chris mixed sound for the event. I ticipants will continue through March 31, 2016. think it’s always interesting and amazing (This study has been approved by OLOC when two worlds collide and it ends up being Research Gatekeeper Sharon Raphael.) a wonderful collision of family and friends. Donations to OLOC After the concert, all the womyn were invited OLOC is very grateful to have back to Bonnie Wagner’s and my home received a donation from Ronni (Bonnie is on the National OLOC Steering Sanlo in honor of Ruth Silver Committee) for a community get-together with (pictured). If you are interested food and some adult beverages. Many came, in making a donation to OLOC in and we partied until the wee hours (about honor of a friend or including 9 pm!) when most of the partygoers left. It was a OLOC in your will, please contact Jan Griesinger, great way to usher in the autumn. OLOC Treasurer, at [email protected]. OLOC Chapters Silver Threads OLOC chapters and groups as of July 27, Lesbians 50 and older (and their younger 2015, are Atlanta, Georgia; Arizona (meeting friends) are invited to a Silver Threads cele- in Central Arizona); Coachella Valley/Palm bration January 14–18, 2016, at the Dolphin Springs, San Francisco Bay Area, and Radical Beach Resort, St. Pete Beach, Florida. Enter- Lesbian Crones (also Bay Area), California; tainment will include Mele Piano M’am and Northern Colorado; Washington, DC; Boston DJ LucyBlu. More information at and Northampton/Pioneer Valley, Massachu- www.SilverThreadsCelebration.org. setts; St. Louis, Missouri; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Hudson Valley, New York; Cleveland Next SC meeting and Central Ohio; Salt Lake City, Utah; March 10–15, 2016, Atlanta, GA Champlain Valley of Vermont and New York; If you have a topic you want the Steering Commit- and Puget Sound Area, Washington. tee to address, let them know two weeks ahead OLOC would love to have more groups/ of time by e-mail to [email protected], chapters across the US. We are ready to hear a note to the PO Box in Ohio, or a phone call to 888-706-7506. from you if you are interested in pursuing this.

Dec 2015 www.oloc.org Toll free 888-706-7506 Page 4 Responses we received to our request for your I am a very firm supporter of consensus experiences with the consensus decision- decision-making—as long as everyone is fol- making process: lowing the process, understands how it works, Is Consensus Classist? and commits to participating in good faith, By d. maria (pronounced Mariah), 1939 honesty, and true Sisterhood. True consensus I have worked with three grassroots organi- process does require time, energy, and com- zations using consensus decision-making mitment. It requires that one respect oneself, principles since 1980. All three have used intim- each of the others in the process, and the entire idation, from time to time, to win. All have tried group as you join together in this process. to squeeze the principles of competition into If some of the women involved abdicate the consensus format, leading to intimidation, their responsibility to state their honest feel- pre-meeting vote gathering, consensus minus ings and thoughts and fall back to an “I’ll just go one or two (depending on how many are likely along with whatever you all decide” position, to block consensus), or blocking just to win, etc. there is bound to be resentment and hard Truth is, in spite of our (feminist or liberal) feelings. By the same token, if a cadre of ideals against hierarchy, we’ve been raised in women make a pact to stick together on their a competitive, classist/racist, and patriarchal position regardless of what any other woman society. In the mostly white male organization I says, the process grinds to a halt and crumbles. worked for, white men always won by intimidat- Each woman must speak her truth, and ing any women dissenters. In the two all- each woman must listen with an open heart, women organizations, “founders” still have ready to hear and to learn. more power. Consensus has become more I was born into a family that eventually casual, with “founders” taking a few breaths, achieved upper middle class status. I have during which time dissenters might speak up, lived much of my life below the poverty level. and then assuming consensus. One of them Discussion Series Proposed even uses proxies. By Sally Tatnall, 1937 With these experiences, I would have to The Steering Committee would like to say that consensus decision-making princi- begin a series of dialogues about political is- ples, could, and usually do, in practice, favor sues in which we are interested. For the the dominant group. However, I do not believe it March 2016 issue of The Reporter we want to is the nature of consensus decision-making know your thoughts about class and classism. that causes this to happen. I believe the prob- There will be a different topic in each issue of lem is us: how we have learned to be power- The Reporter. ful within the dominant society, and our inter- Your article should be less than 300 words and nalized self-oppressions. Learning about how you can send it to Jennice ([email protected]) others have transformed their practice by taking with a cc to [email protected]. training from professionals in the Quaker tradi- tion can produce really good results. I also think work on our own oppressions, including inter- Don't forget that if you now receive nalized ones, is probably the best solution. The Reporter in print and want to switch In short, I don’t think consensus is classist. to electronic, please let us know at I think we are. Sorry. [email protected]. It arrives sooner, is in Consensus full color, you can make it as big as you By Conni Johnson, 1950 want to so it's easier to see and read, Consensus decision-making is highly valued by and it costs us less. me. I am a person who is/thinks different/ly; I’m often on the side of the other, on the losing side of the majority-rules decisions. With consensus, To find OLOC on Facebook, go to at least I get to be heard and to speak for my- www.facebook.com/NationalOLOC self, and women get a chance to consider what I have said.

Dec 2015 www.oloc.org Toll free 888-706-7506 Page 5 Applauding OLOC By Diane Ste. Marie, 1939 Ever since the Pacific Northwest Regional OLOC Gathering a few years back (2011), my life as an Old Lesbian has gotten richer and richer with all the opportunities of meeting Old Lesbians and supporters, so many things to do and women to do them with; opportunities to stretch my thinking and especially building supportive relationships. In my younger years, I may have hung out in crowded, dim, noisy bars hoping someone would not only notice me but would want something a little more. Then, as a single Lesbian, connections/friendships seemed to constantly elude me or to be of short duration. How much nicer and easier to meet Old Lesbians in the daylight, for us to have matured, grown, gained comfort in sharing friends, and, especially today, the possibility and safety of being out and open in public in ways not possible when we were young. I say this is a great time to be an Old Lesbian! And a great time to be supported through networks like OLOC, Puget Sound OLOC, and Over 40s (the groups I mainly know about). Thank you everyone. I am deeply grateful.

Minding Our Language Ageism By Debbie Cameron By Jan Griesinger, 1942 Movements in the 1960s and 1970s talked This is fine material from a feminist publi- about “isms” like racism, sexism, heterosex- cation that, sadly, no longer exists—off our ism. Their 21st century counterparts talk backs. The September/October 2005 issue, about “phobias” like homo-phobia, - “Women and Age,” includes fine work by phobia. “Ism” words and “phobia” words OLOC members Carol Anne Douglas, who name essentially the same phenomenon: the was a member of the collective that produced unjust treatment of one social group by oth- it, and former OLOC Co-Director Mina Meyer. ers. But they frame that phenomenon in very Douglas reviewed Margaret Cruikshank’s different ways. book, Learning to be Old: Gender, Culture, The language of “phobia” personalizes the and Aging. (Cruikshank was a keynote political by concentrating on the feelings an speaker at OLOC’s 2008 National Gathering): action expresses rather than the interests it “Hatred of old people is spreading virulently. serves. From a radical feminist perspective it is The media is full of warnings about a crucial to hold onto the understanding that op- ‘tsunami’ of old people who will supposedly pression is only sometimes about hate, but it is overwhelm society with the cost of supporting always about power—about the structures and them, particularly their medical care. (Is it their systems that serve collective political interests. fault medical costs skyrocket every year? “Phobia” pathologizes prejudice, representing Haven’t old people paid taxes and Social Se- it by implication as the irrational response of curity their whole lives?)” some individuals rather than the product of a It’s amazing that this was said 10 years system that benefits some groups at the ex- ago and it still seems to be true. pense of others. And once you stop asking From the same publication, a quote that isn’t who benefits from oppression or whose interests it attributed to anyone: “Would a twenty-something serves, you can easily slip into a discourse woman say she had a twenty-something moment reminiscent of Margaret Thatcher’s dictum that if she misplaced her car keys?” “there is no such thing as society.” There are no material structures of inequality, only per- OLOC’s Steering Committee welcomes sonal feelings and individual identities. constructive feedback and suggestions —From Rain and Thunder, Summer 2015 from members by way of mail, phone, or e-mail.

Dec 2015 www.oloc.org Toll free 888-706-7506 Page 6 Plan Ahead If You Have the Courage A Lesbian National Treasure (from Maize, By Shewolf, 1932 a Lesbian Country Magazine, Spring 2015) (In her early 80s, Shewolf has been think- Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor un- ing about and researching the possibility of der FDR, was also a Lesbian whose partner moving out of her house and into a facility for contributed to Perkins’s being able to leave old people, a home for her “last or next to last us her amazing legacy. Frances was the first decade on this earth.” She lives in Florida.) woman to occupy a Cabinet position, and she One of the major concerns when seeking has rightly been referred to as the “woman this kind of place is the available medical and behind the New Deal.” Her achievements in- healing help one may need at this time. clude the banning of child labor, the minimum Finding places is not hard but finding them wage, the forty-hour workweek, workers’ with or near good medical and natural healing compensation, unemployment insurance, em- sources is tricky. You want to have ways of ployer-provided health insurance, new work getting to what you want and need quickly programs to create jobs, welfare, and Social when you need it and still be able to live Security. The only item on her reform agenda comfortably during the ”before and after” that she failed to secure was universal health attentions (surgery, treatments, healing atten- insurance. The American Medical Association tion, diagnoses, doctors and healers, physical had as influential a lobby then as now. therapy, etc.). Sometimes the aftercare becomes —, from Robin Blythe-niCathain more important than the major events, partic- ularly when you pass the 70-year mark in your life. Healing takes a lot longer than it  used to when you were younger. Many of the facilities I’ve looked at have lots of services if you have the funds, but there are OLOC is committed to: not as many around if you are limited in your  addressing what it means to be old and monthly income. The challenge is to find a to be Lesbian place where you have most of what you need  finding ways to gather groups of Old and can manage to fund it in an atmosphere Lesbians together for ongoing support of what you want. I have found several great  challenging oppression in all of its forms, places. Some of them I may even be able to including but not limited to ageism, able- afford. (So far her top candidates are within a ism, racism, anti-Semitism, classism, day of where she now lives.) sexism, transphobia, and (Alice Smyth, 1929, would like to add: homophobia (these are not listed in or- “Don’t wait too long is crucial [advice] for find- der of importance) ing a good place to end up. I’m at Linden Ponds in Massachusetts, one of 16 Erickson  supporting the rights of all immigrants communities dotted about the US. In order to OLOC works for change by supporting: afford the entrance fee, you may need a  comprehensive immigration reform home to sell. Monthly fees cover a lot, so  elimination of violence against women may not be more than you’re spending now.  enactment of universal single-payer It’s gay-friendly, with a diversity program and healthcare for all an equality group. We have fun, with about  an end to corporate “personhood” 160 groups and programs: writing memoirs,  an end to any curtailment of voting rights playing the recorder, nature walks, bridge, scrabble, trips to Boston—tons of stuff. There is a nursing home. So check it out before the rigors of moving seem too hard.”)

Dec 2015 www.oloc.org Toll free 888-706-7506 Page 7 Creating Access: A Beginning, Part 2 Hunger and Poverty Among By an Anonymous OLOC Member, 1954 Baby Boomers It is the responsibility of TABs (temporarily A report from Feeding America, once able-bodied people) to deal with disability as known as America’s Second Harvest, finds an issue, to educate yourselves, and to stop that more than eight million baby boomers your oppressive behavior, which includes between the ages of 50 and 64 are turning to either staring at or ignoring disabled people. food assistance to make ends meet. You need to become sensitive. Access is not According to the report, 62 percent of the a luxury. We can find creative ways to meet 13 million adults age 50 and older served by our community’s needs, but if money has to Feeding America’s food banks are “pre-seniors” be spent, it should be spent. Access means under the age of 64, with the majority of creating an environment in which everyone them not yet eligible for federal support pro- has the opportunity to participate. It means, grams such as Social Security and Medicare. in the ideal, that no one is left out. Based on data collected from Feeding America Limited access is not access. It is im- clients, the study found that, among those sur- portant to understand what you are doing. veyed, “pre-seniors” are more likely than older Awareness is a priority. Communicate with seniors to live in a household experiencing food disabled people and find out what is needed. insecurity (86 percent) or poverty (72 percent), Ask questions; don’t make assumptions or report poor health (59 percent), have unpaid think you know. Learn how you can be an medical bills (58 percent), receive Supple- advocate for people with disabilities. Speak mental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) up when you are in a situation where people benefits (55 percent), or experience housing are being left out. Consider how that situation instability, such as having to move in with could be made more accessible. friends or family (18 percent), or having faced Do outreach to disabled people and find foreclosure or eviction within the past five out how they can be included in your activities. years (15 percent). In addition, the report Assistance with mobility, providing interpret- found that nearly two-thirds of “pre-senior” ers, and making available Braille/taped/large- survey respondents had not been employed print materials can make a difference. Publicity in the past year, and that 73 percent of those should include access information. Interrupt individuals cited being disabled or in poor offensive language and insensitive jokes. If you health as the reason for their unemployment. are confronted with a charge of being oppressive, Funded by AARP, the report also found that do not get defensive. You need to get beyond a majority of Feeding America clients age 50 that for change to happen. and older have to choose between paying for Wheelchair users need room to zoom. food or medical care (63 percent), utilities Blind people need to have nonverbal behavior (60 percent), or transportation (58 percent). described. Interpreters can only interpret one Strategies that older adults employ to make person talking at a time. Physical access ends meet include buying the cheapest food alone is not enough to ensure full inclusion. available, even if it is unhealthy (77 percent); You need to examine your attitudes and visiting a charitable feeding program on a commit yourselves to change them. Many regular basis (64 percent); receiving help disabilities are hidden. from friends and family (46 percent); and di- Being disabled is a challenge, not a tragedy. luting their food or drink (38 percent). Let’s work together to create a community in The full report, Baby Boomers and Beyond: which everyone has an equal opportunity to Facing Hunger after Fifty, can be found at participate. FeedingAmerica.org/SolveSeniorHunger. Excerpted from a longer article written in 1983 by the author, who has a disability. Part 1, “Disability Awareness: An Introduction,” appeared in the September issue of the Reporter.

Dec 2015 www.oloc.org Toll free 888-706-7506 Page 8 Memorials Maryline “Whitie” White Judith Ann Fine 1921–2015 1944–2014 Maryline loved OLOC and Judith was interviewed by made sure to keep her mem- the Old Lesbian Oral Herstory bership up to date. She was Project (OLOHP) in 2010 as interviewed by the Old Lesbian part of her training to be- Oral Herstory Project come an OLOHP interviewer (OLOHP) in 2011 and hoped but her health made it impos- to attend a Gathering. She sible for her to follow through. was born in Dayton, Ohio, She was born in and spent and moved with her family to the Detroit area her formative years in Erie, Pennsylvania. when she was about five years old. She received a bachelor’s degree in nursing She attended Denison University for a year, from Villa Maria College in 1968 and a mas- became impatient to begin working, and secured ter’s degree in psychiatric nursing from New her first job in journalism as a “copyboy” at the York University in 1973. Pontiac Press. Her first writing assignment After two years of teaching nursing at Bronx was a story about the attack on Pearl Harbor. Community College, Judith and her partner Her wish to serve during the war led to a Margret Funk moved to Western Massachu- Red Cross assignment to drive a truck deliv- setts, where Judith held many positions at ering food and conversation to American GIs Baystate Medical Center. Judith was also a in Patton’s Third Army. Returning to New founding member and a powerful voice on York, she began a 20-year career at Young & the hospital’s Nursing Ethics Committee. Rubicam, an international advertising agency. Judith and Maggie settled in Agawam, She met and fell in love with Louise Shangle. Massachusetts, until Maggie’s passing in 2001. Together, they founded and successfully sold After Maggie’s death, Judith moved to Amherst, an inn and a restaurant, traveled the western and finally Leeds. Judith concluded her career US in their Airstream trailer, and raised and in the Pioneer Valley at Cooley Dickinson showed Scottish terriers. They eventually set- Hospital where she was a nursing home tled in Goose Rocks Beach, Maine, where consultant and a psychotherapist at the Maryline returned to journalism and received outpatient clinic. three Associated Press awards. She retired Alta Fly in 1984 to immerse herself in local politics, as 1930–2015 well as environmental work to save marshes, Alta was a member of green spaces, and wetlands in southern Maine. OLOC for many years. She After Louise’s death in 1999, Maryline focused her life around art moved to Ashland, Oregon, joined committees and was active in her com- at her Mountain Meadows community, and munity. We have a video participated in a women’s writers group to help about her life in our Media her work on her memoirs. Library. Let us know if you want to borrow it. Save the date for the ZAMI NOBLA/ OLOC National Gathering, Oct. 5–9, OLOC is supported in part by grants from the Carpenter and Horizons Foundations. 2016, at the Holiday Inn Airport North in Atlanta, GA.

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Standing on My Sisters’ Shoulders reveals Pat Patton the Civil Rights movement in Mississippi in 1940–2015 the 1950s/1960s from the viewpoint of the Pat (Patsy) Patton, OLOC womyn who were its leaders. member, died unexpectedly Women on the Land: Creating Conscious on October 26, leaving behind Community features the efforts of womyn on grief and sorrow in many the Northern California Mendocino coast to communities, including care for their environment. OLOC, Michigan Womyn’s Cloudburst (new to the list, not the Library) is Music Festival, Midwest Wimmin’s Festival, an Old Lesbian love story and road trip that is Out in the Ozarks, Hawk Hill Community both touching and amusing. Land Trust, Landykes, and more. Look in the Additional information about our Media next issue for a longer story. Library can be found at www.oloc.org/ resources/library.php. OLOC’s Media Library List Has Sinister Wisdom 98 “Landykes of Been Revised! the South” By an Anonymous OLOC Member, 1954 Review by rainbow williams, 1934 Did you know OLOC maintains a Media If I can just stop drooling over this harvest Library of more than 60 movies, plus OLOC long enough to tell y’all about it. I found photos Herstory DVDs/CDs from the Gatherings, as of cute gals, like Corky, Dore, Blue, and Bonnie, well as the Arden Eversmeyer DVD Collection and stories by Merrill, Dragon, Rose, Kate, and and OLOC Radio, Audio, and Music CDs? And Shewolf. All of us have seen so much change that you can rent them to watch or listen for and growth, and still we stand; we continue. free? We ask for a small donation for postage. Two hundred pages of stories, photos, The Media Library list has been revised to maps, drawings—the blood, sweat, and tears reflect new DVDs we recently obtained: that built this herstory. This is the first telling. Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret un- It’s awesome. www.sinisterwisdom.org covers the most destructive industry facing Leaping Lesbian—Lizards!!? the planet today—animal agriculture. Yes, there is a hybrid species of lizard out Fabled Asp is based on a San Francisco of New Mexico that is known as the Leaping Public Library exhibition that chronicled the Lesbian Lizard. It is one of a number of rep- accomplishments of Lesbian activists with tiles that is known to be parthenogenic. This disabilities whose innovations have been means that this particular species of lizard largely omitted, obscured, or misappropriated. uses asexual reproduction, so the development Iron Jawed Angels, starring Hilary Swank, and growth of the reptile’s embryos occurs gives a “fresh and contemporary look” at how without any fertilization. If a male is born out Alice Paul and her friends put their lives at of the hybridization process, it is sterile and risk to help US womyn win the right to vote. does not live long. One of the biggest reasons MAKERS: Women Who Make America why this species has been dubbed the Leaping tells the story of the most sweeping social Lesbian Lizard is the fact that, although they revolution in American herstory, as womyn reproduce asexually, the females still engage have asserted our rights to political power, in mating behaviors. This mating activity economic opportunity, and personal autonomy. actually allows for the stimulation needed to Showing Up in the 20th Century: The Life bring about ovulation. Without this mating be- and Times of Mary M. Morgan is about an Old havior and stimulation, the lizards would be Lesbian who worked for civil liberties, peace, unable to lay their eggs. social justice, and Womyn’s Liberation. She died this year, but her legacy lives on.

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2016 ZAMI NOBLA/OLOC National Gathering

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