Pnltlisht"ff bythl' 1 \\'OIIll'II S (~ommwmitJ of San .\ntonio Volume 14 Number 11 P.O. Box 12327, San Antonio, Tx 78212 (210) 828-LISA Sept2002 GERTRUDE STEIN AND A COMPANION By Robin Early For their October calendar, Jump-Start has requested Wild TRIBUTE TO DR. CONSUELO RAMIREZ French Productions to collaborate once again with Winn Wells' Dr. Norma Martinez Rogers endearing drama, Gertrude Stein and A Companion. Gertrude Stein was, and is, a towering literary figure of pre-World War I. She was I recently heard that Consuela Ramirez, a woman I a life-long "friend" of Alice B. Toklas, whom Hemingway most have known for many years, received her Ph.D. from Our often referred to as Gertrude's "companion", hence the title of this Lady of the Lake University. When I first heard this news, play. I felt joy and happiness for Consuelo. Her accomplishment It is not often that gay and lesbian roles are offered in our was not an easy task. This is a degree of "perseverance", area. Thus, it is with great pleasure that I play the part of Alice. self-discipline, intelligence, and commitment. I know that Even though we are vastly different, and live in vastly different this was a dream for Consuelo and she was determined to times, there are many emotional similarities I find in playing her get this doctorate degree. This journey she took was diffi­ character. In some ways, I feel more my "authentic self' than in cult at times; however, in spite of some detours she may other roles. I like to think of myself as the woman behind the have faced she was able to pursue this goal with the help of woman with my own partner, helping her to be successful, as did her partner Pearl, and her close friends. Alice with Gertrude. I can relate to the way she is very protective This accomplishment is one which should not be · of her, and even jealous of the close friends in her life, such as He­ taken lightly. Though Hispanics are the fastest growing mingway and Picasso. More than anything, I enjoy the tender mo­ minority group in the United States we have not participated ments in the show between Martha Prentiss (who plays Gertrude) in higher education in anything like our proportional repre­ and myself. The poignant memories we share on stage are very sentation in the general population. If we accept the hy­ touching. pothesis that all groups in society (e.g., ethnic, racial, and What Martha relishes about the role is the opportunity to socioeconomic groups) ought to participate in higher· educa­ play Gertrude and to play with her words. She says although that is tion at rates equal to their presence in the general popula­ her biggest joy, that is also her biggest challenge-the words. She tion; then we, Hispanics, are clearly underrepresented in feels she is like Gertrude in the respect that she liked to have parties higher education. Hispanic women are the most poorly and connect like-minded people, loved laughter, loved fun, and educated women in our society. Presently, according to the that's a joy to be able to do. She feels she can relate to the 20's, U.S. Census Bureau (2000), there are 6,664,000 women in being an ex-Patriot in Paris, how they were freer in many ways, the United States who have advanced degrees, meaning a with the arts, their sexuality, free thought, and living life with pas­ Master's or Doctorate degree. Of these, only 96,000 (1.8%) sion. When asked about what it's like to be an actor in the gay com­ are women of Mexican descent. Sometimes we educated munity, she said, "I feel that it really doesn't matter, being straight Hispanic women forget that most of us are uneducated be­ or gay, it's how well you can act and if you fit the part." She doesn't cause we have a tendency to socialize with others who are feel being a Lesbian or not affects her getting a role. also accomplished. Mary Ann Colias, the Producer/Director of the show, also Consuelo, mi amiga, it was a distinct pleasure to is enthralled with Gertrude Stein's words, calling her the Matisse or write this tribute to you. You have truly filled me with Picasso of literature for her time. That is, she revolutionized the pride and respect for reaching to the sky and becoming an arts in the early part of this century. She loves the style in which "estrella". By becoming a "doctora", I know you recognize the play is written. It's written in a style that helps the audience the significant influence you will make on other people's understand her words. The phrase, "a rose is a rose is a rose," is not lives. I know you believe as Kahlil Gibran that "Progress is about nonsensical repetition. For her, it describes all that a rose is; not merely improving the past; it is moving forward toward the rose is red for the first time in English poetry for over five hun­ the future. Con cariflo, Norma dred years. Mary Ann likens that repetition to the columns of the Parthenon. When you look at it, it is more than just breathtakingly Norma Martinez Rogers was recently recognized as the beautiful architecture. The repetition becomes magical. outstanding leader of Hispanic nurses in the United States. continued on p. 3 ... ................ WomanSpace is a member of the Esperanza Network. The work of the Esperanza is based on the belief that all forms of bigotry and oppression within our community and in the world at large, can only be stopped by addressing the inherent connection between them, and by creating alli­ ances. Please consider group or individual participation. We' d like to get to know yo u. Call (21 0) 828-020 I SEPTEMBER CALENDAR POT LUCK SCHEDULE Sun. Sept. 8:_Gemini Ink hosts sixth annual "INKstravaganza Gala." 6 p.m. Gemini Ink, 513 S. Presa. For more information, call 734-9673. Wed. Sept. 11 : WomanSpace production meeting. 6:00 Bring a dish to share, enjoy good conversation and meet at Luby's on Main. some new friends. If you would like to help coordinate Thurs. Sept. 12:The Southwest School of Art & Craft the pot luck schedule, or if you would like to host a pot presents "Within Our Bodies" and works by Paula luck one month, call 828-LISA and leave a message. Santiago. Continues through Nov. 2. Free. 7 p.m. Thanks! SSAC, 300 Augusta. 224-1848. Sat.- Sun. Sept. 14 -15: The San Antonio Parks Foundation September 15 4-7 732-7843 presents musical celebration "Jazz'SAiive.". Free. For October 20 824-2565 more information, call 212-8423. Sat. Sept. 14: The Cancer Therapy and Research Center holds "Bosom Buddies/Man Alive 5K Race/Run/Walk." Zoo Parking Lot, Brackenridge Park, 950 E. Hildebrand. For more information, call 616-5504. BEXAR COUNTY GREEN PARTY BENEFIT Sat. Sept. 21 : KLRN holds "Women's Health Conference." $35. 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Location TBA. For more informa The Bexar County Green Party will host a dinner tion, call 270-9000. and live auction on Friday, Sept. 27 from 7-10 pm at the Sept. 26-29: Friends Fest 2002 Music Festival at the Scenic Loop Cafe, located at 25615 Boerne Stage Rd. Recreation Plantation near Dripping Springs. Featur­ The keynote speakers will include Gubernatorial candi­ ing on Friday: Live Music and Karaoke; Saturday: date Rahul Mahajan and David Cobb, candidate for At­ Terri Hendrix, Ruthie Foster & Cyd Cassone, Shelley torney General. There will also be live entertainment. King, Bonterra; Sunday: Nancy Scott & Millie Marlow, Sis DeVille and more. Tickets:$60 until July 15, $65 Come and meet the local Green Party candi­ until Aug. 15, $70 until Sept. 10, $75 until Sept. 25. dates: Irene Scharf-State Board of Education Dist. 5, Tickets at the gate are $100 cash only. (No checks George Rice-Edwards Aquifer Authority Board Dist. 3, accepted after Sept. 10). For more information: Jack Nottingham-State Rep. Dist. 120, Harlan McVea­ Recreation Plantation Campground, 3650 Pursley Rd . State Rep. Dist. 121, and Ed Scharf-U.S. Rep. Dist. 23. Dripping Springs, Tx. 78620. (512) 894-0567. Tickets are $40 and a vegetarian menu will also Wed. Sept. 25: WomanSpace mail-out. Call 828-LISA be available. For more information, call 210-804-4148, for info on time and location. or e-mail: [email protected]. www.txgreens.org/bexar UPCOMING Oct. 11-13: Desert Hearts Women's Festival at the De WOMANSPACE WEBSITE IS UP! sert Hearts Cowgirl Club near Bandera. Ticket prices Check us out as we develop our website. For now, we will are: $35 until Aug. 14, $45 until Sept. 14, $65 until be putting articles from back issues online as well as our Sept. 30 and $65 after that. Tickets will be $75 at the community resource page. gate, and cash only. For every new woman you www. womanspacesa.org "bring" you earn $5 off on your Festi T-shirt. Have them mention your name. FMI: DHCC, 10101 St. Hwy 173N, Bandera, Tx. 78003. (830) 796-7001 . E-mail: STONEWALL DEMOCRATS INVITE YOU TO [email protected]. OUTVOTE 2002 Oct. 11-27: Gertrude Stein and a Companion returns to Jump-Start Theater. (see article, front page) The Stonewall Democrats are hosting their bene­ Oct. 17-21 : Texas Lesbian Conference 15th Anniversary fit, Outvote 2002on Saturday, September 23 from 7-10 Cruise to Cozumel.