Herland Sister Resources : v.1: no.9(1985)

HerlandVoice-1985-09-v01-no09_ocr.pdf
Title
Herland Sister Resources : v.1: no.9(1985)
Description
The Herland Sister Resources newsletter is the monthly publication of Herland Sister Resources, a womanist organization with a strong lesbian focus based in Oklahoma City.
Date Issued
1985-09
Relation
Herland Sister Resources
Herland Voice
Herland Newsletter
Rights
All rights reserved by Herland Sister Resources. Contact UCO Archives & Special Collections for the permission policy on the use, reproduction or distribution of these materials.
Is Part Of
Herland Sisters Resources
Creator
Herland Sister Resources
Date
2022-01-27T17:55:27Z
Date Available
2022-01-27T17:55:27Z
uri
https://hdl.handle.net/11244/334429
Subject
Oklahoma
Type
application/pdf
extracted text
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 9
SEPTE B
1985.
THOUGHTS 0

OST GRAND JURO
by Marian Hulsey

There is something about a registered certified letter from the Court Clerk than can only be signed
for by the addressee that, when the addressee is
you, scares the shit out of you. All I _could th~nk
of was my unpaid library fine, but with shakm
hand I signed and even more shakingly, opened my
summons to appear for grand jury duty.
From the very beginning I had mixed feelings about serving. I feel strongly that it is every citize 's duty and responsibility (Judge Owens says it
is our privilege), and I was extremely interested
in the process. When there was a possibility this
jury might hear the Donna Bechtel petition, I was
determined to try to get on it. This did not turn
out to be the case, but the issue it addressed
w s an important one--pornography, obscenity and
a citizen's right to watch whatever he or she
was willing to pay for (Cable TV) in the privacy
of a home.
I talked to some people who had served, trying to
et an idea of the questions I would be asked.
Imagined questions covered my magazine reading
(Ull oh, Ms., The Utney Reader, Vanity Fair, L.C.,
I. .Y.K., the list gets worse), my hair style (I
have been growing my "tail" for a year and decided not to cut it), my style of dress (of course I
wore pants to court--Jeez, I rode my moped!), my
profession (you bet I'm a teacher), the list grew
and my answers struggled not to perforize me,
while getting me seated. For several nights before
our command appearance on Aug. 5, I did not
sleep. I also knew that the jury could go on and
on and it was almost time for school to start.
T is became more of a problem because I will be
going · to a new school, teaching new subjects. The
very thought of making out coherent and impresive lesson plans for a sub made my 30-year old
ulcer flare up royally.
J-Day arrived and we (45 of the 100 suminoned)
gathered in Judge Owens' courtroom. He a_sked all
those who thought they had good reason not to

erve to come fo ard
d about 15 people were
excused. Only t
other women had on pants--they
were both excused in that bunch. Glancing furtively around the gallery I noticed a young woman in
front · of me, reading her annotated Bible, with a
tabbed notebook, with references easily noted.
Across the aisle, a woman sat reading a copy of
Guideposts. I homesteaded my spot on the hard
bench, determined somehow to get seated on the
jury if they did.
The process is not what I expected. Twelve
ames were drawn from a box. Judge Owens asked
them some questions, individually.
(Here there
were some assumptions that galled me, i.e., everyone was expect,ed to be married, have children, be
a regular church goer.) Then DA Macy asked them
questions as a group, followed by same from Cox
Cable's attorney: The judge then asked if anyone
on the jury felt he/she could not listen to the
testimony, 1 in~luding many hours of watching films
from the /' Playboy channel, and then decide the
c se on the legal definition of obscenity, rather
than one's personal taste. Several asked to be
excused here and other names were drawn from
the box. After lunch several others asked to be
excused becau e of child care problems and the
there were 12 that both sides agreed on. So, the
rest of us were excused, without even being
ked a single question.
I was both relieved and disappointed. I had worried so about it, but did feel I had a responsibility to serve. But, I have done a lot of thinking
about it since. You see, I used to make jokes
about pornography, "Just bring your own pornograph," but I did not realize what a threat it was
to my freedom, my life as a woman. The violence
that often accompanies the sexual aspects of
porn, so I am told, makes us all a little less safe.
I have only been exposed to "hard" porn twice in
my life and both times, I left before the film was
over. But, that is a matter of taste. I simply
don't like it. I value my reading time too much to
read it and I don't want to sit and watch it.
There are some .books I have read which some
oth
might call obscene, pornographic, ' and

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor:
Hello. I am writing this in hope that a few readers
witl remember the Class Action called "Oklahoma
Shame." I was one of the eight incarcerated people
w~o filed Terry D. v. Lloyd Rader and the Dept.
of · Human Services. I now work within the same
system for the Institute for Child Advocacy.
When we first filed the suit·,, in 1978, I could not
even imagine the changes that could occur. Later,
as things conti·nued to get better for youth, I felt
great hcipe that other young people might not be
forced to endure the pain of both physical and
emotional abuse, which I endured for so long. ![
thought at long last youth had a chance to reveal
the wrongdoings as they occur, and keep the system on track. I felt I had made a difference, that
the pain I experienced was worthwhile in that others might avoid it. There is a reason for all we do
and go through, good, bad or otherwise.
To9ay I took off my rose-colored glasses. As ![
made arrangem'e nts for an 18-year old to sleep on
the lawn of a flop house, I realized I was wrong. ·
Today I am as helpless and powerless as I was at
age 13 when I first entered this maze calletl' the
"jufvenile system."
I would like to think what is now happening to our
youth is only out of the budget. Yet, when I ta k
to people, I hear the same things, people do not
know how much the little things mean. A simple
bed, food and care would keep this 18-year old out
of prison. Yet, it does not exist, just as it did not
exist for me. I ate out of your garbage cans, I
lived in abandoned cars. And now Rodney is too.
Yet, for me someone came and saw me at my lowest and cared anyway. I was ready to do anything
that would put me back into the security of an
institution, just to survive. Abuse, loss of freedom,
none of these matter when you need food, clothes,
a bed. That is what most youth must do when they
"age out." I am white with no mafor handicaps other than ignorance. There were no resources then,
and today I looked into the mirror at a youth with
no resources now.
l am making my last effort to help. With the expertise of Bill Lofquist, we are writing my autobiography. I want to share what I had to go
through to be alive and productive today. Yet, this
is not just my story--it is the story of thousands of
young people nationwide who could put their names
on the cover and never change a word of the text.
If, and hopefully when, the book is published, I
will leave the system behind me. Every time I hear
or see a young person go down for the last time, I
hurt. I see what I could have been, and I cry. I
know they did not have that one person I had, the
on~ who literally saved my life. I cannot be obfocti e ·about t his, for I lived in their shoes. I cannot go on living these horrors with them.

Please forgive the negative aspect of this letter. I
am sharing wit h you as I would a friend. ·I perceive all of us caring equally. The book has many
goals for me and the co-author, mainly to show t he
world what happens to our youth when they are
too old for caring hands, and what happens to
their lives on the street. If this goal and the many
others I'm sure you can foresee seem worthwhile
to you, please let us know. · This is the hardest
thing I have ever done, and the most challenging
for Bill Lofquist. We need your support. The manuscript will be written. Whether or not it is published remains to be seen. There are so many of us
out there. You can lend your emotional support,
financial support and any resources--all are needed.
It is my dream that this book will give the world a
chance to live and understand what it takes to survive and do what little or much they aan to help
our youth.
Please write or call, or pray. We need you. The
youth need you. And I have always needed you.
Laura Lee
Peace!
(Editor's Note: Correspondence may be addressed
c/o Herland Sister Resources, Inc., 1630 N.W. 19,
klahoma City, OK 73106;· Attn: Laura Cnoate.>

·u h n to the childr n
Where do they go when no one's home
How can· .t hey grow when we leave them alone
Does any~;ie ' care to help the children
They aref all ours.
,\

Have you ever felt like a frightened child
in an adult body
Is our society growing physically and not
emotionally
Plead the cause for our children
They will plead our cause when we are old
Hear their cry for love.
And they will be able to hear that cry
in others
What will happen to the children
Aren't we all children with the ability
to change
Hear their cry, and they will hear yours.
Laura Choate
Midwest City

Publisher:
Editor:
Typesetter:
Advertising:
Circulation:

Herland Sister Resources, Inc .
Elaine Barton
Marian Hulsey
Marian Hulsey_, 521-8434
550

(Continued from page 1)
therein lies the trouble with censorship--who is to
say what is and what is not obscene? The Supreme Court even has trouble with that one.
Years ago I shocked a student by saying that you
could read into any book in the world, including
the Bible, anything, good or bad, that you wanted
to--if that's what you are looking for, that's what
you will find. She came up to me in tears and I
assured her I had not said the Bible is a "bad"
book.

people will buy and view anyway, let 's organize a
campaign t o demand more positive images on TV,
more educational programs about the results of
sexual and other violence to women, about teenage pregnancy, about prostitution, about continued
drug and alcohol abuse among kids, women and
lesbians in particular. I challenge you to write
one letter this fall either to a major network or
to a sponsor, commenting on their programing. We
just might make a diff erencel

How can I justify the Playboy channel's right to
be sold, an individual's right to buy it and watch
it? It would be very easy if the adults who subscribed to it could or would prohibit children's
viewing of it. This is not the case. True, there
ar.e some adults who don't care, but even if they
do, it is hard to keep kids from watching anything
they want to when you are not at home.

HERLAND COFFEEHOUSE
presents
for your entertainment
Fri~ay,

The verdict is in. Cox Cable has the right to off er the Playboy channel, and a citizen has the
right to buy it and view it. I will defend a citizen's right to read or view things in the privacy
of his/her own home, but I cannot condone acts
of sexual and other violence, physical or mental,
a .ainst women, wherever they appear.
We are surrounded by violence. In August we
watched on our local news stations, the OKC poliee gunning down two "dangerous" gunmen, the
first of which was carrying an unloaded, unfireable gun. Of course the police didn't know t e
n was unloaded, but the news clip does not
s ow him pointing the gun in as threatening a
manner as was reported after the fact. I try t o
assure myself that something can be done about
violence in general, and to women specifically, but
am not sure.
I have observed enough about human nature to believe that when you try to legislate sue~ thin s
as "Thou shalt love one another," and "Thou shalt
not watch or read what I consider to be obscene," that there will always be problems. True,
not everyone can filter and censor for him/·
herself. We, as parents and teachers, have an o ·
ligation to do some of it, but we also must teach
kids to do their own. Having grown up in Oklahoma during Prohibition, I can attest to the ease
with which kids could buy alcohol of any kind. All
it took was the $$, and there was even delivery
service. That made it just more attractive, bet we shouldn't do it. I alcause someone tho
ways figured t hat smokin' , drinkin' and dabblin' in
exual adventures ad t o be pretty neat because
my mother was so against all three.
I guess the gist of all this rambling is to relay
one person's viewpoint of what is a problem, but
e being dealt with in a very ineffective and
negative manner. Rather than censor what some

WILLIAMSO N

DONA

September 27, 1985
8:00 p.m.

Berland Sister Resources, Inc.
1630 N.W. 19
Oklahoma City

Dear Sisters:
;~

I

m moving from this location, so please remove
my name from your mailing list. I realize how much
of an expense inailing can be.
I've enjoyed- and always felt good about your newsletter. flease continue on with the fine fob that
you do. , ·
I will be looking forward to reconnecting with Berland as soon as I'm established in my new area.
Again, thank you.
-S

Apache, OK

Dear HSR:
Enclosed please find my check for $220. I have
been reading your newsletter for several months. A
friend of mine has shared it with me as I have not
subscribed to it personally. I am most impressed
with the quality of articles and reviews you have
included, and am sure this is the most inclusive
newsletter of its kind in Oklahoma.
I hope this (contribution) helps. I'm anxious to see
your work continue. I'll be in the area (in Sept.)
d am hoping to be able to stop in and see your
center.
Dr. Susan M. Andrew
Tulsa, OK

HERLAND FALL FESTIVAL TAKES TO WOODS

;--f;Ai.L"F"EsnVA'LiliiTR'E"A~F"o"Rw~M"E-;---i

Imagine sitting in a cave where Belle Starr hid
from "The Law, " where the James Brothers hid
out. Well, you· are being offered the opportunity
by Herland Sister Resources, Inc., who is sponsoring a retreat/ workshop / festival for women from
Friday evening, Oct. 25 until Sunday noon, Oct.
27, 1985, at Robbers Cave State Park, north of ·
Wilburton.

I
REGISTRATION
I
I Name(s)
I
---------------1

Musicians Mary Reynolds and Peggy Johnson will
be in concert in the park amphitheatre (weather
permitting, otherwise, in dining hall). There will be
workshops on a variety of topics for those interested, but the event is being left unstructured
enough to allow ample time for recreation and socializing.

IDeadline for pre-registration: October 11, 1985

The retreat is being held at one of the group
camps, which will accomodate 250 people. Cabins
containing bunks with mattresses and ·covers for
small groups, a large dining hall and kitchen equipped with cooking and eating utensils, and
bathrooms are provided. Bring food for the weeke , including something to cook out on Saturday ·
ni1ht, plus a dish to share with everyone. . For
those who do not care to cook, there is a cafe in
the park, plus a grocery store for items you might
forget. Other items you should bring are a bedroll
or sleeping bag, pillow, towels, toilet articles,
flashlights, musical instruments, toys, camera, fishing1 equipment.
Children and pets are welcome, but the latter
must be kept on a leash while out of doors.
There are several nice fishing spots, plus great
hiking, rock climbing and wonderful ·places for outdoor nature photography. The fall colors should be
in full glory then. Paddle boats and kayaks are
available for renting on the park's lake, and there
is a beach area, although it may be too cold to
swim. There is also a softball field.
Bring arts and crafts for exhibit or sale, plus networking information. Anyone who would like to
lead a workshop, please contact Herland by Oct.
1.
HSR must have a count on attendees so send the
pre,registration form below and your check for
$10 per person by October 11. 1985, to Kris
ek, 1137 N.W. 31, Oklahoma City, OK 73118.
0 site registration is S15 ' per person. ·

Herland has just received a new shipment of
books.
Saturday, 10:00 a .m - 6:00 p.m .
Store hours:
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

I

Address_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

I City

State
Zip- - - 1 1
llTelephone....__...L-.._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

IMail this form and your check for $10 per person
1to:
Kris Marek
.
I
1137 N.W. 31
I._ - _2,k!!...!! _!l_C_!!t:,. Qli.llU,fL _ - - - - - - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS, OCT. 6-12
Domestic Violence Awareness Week is set aside to
remember the women who have been killed by a
spouse or partner, and to reflect on women who
are still enduring the pain of life with a battering
partner. During this week, we celebrate the fact
that every year women take positive steps, often
against all odds, to stop violence in their lives.
On October 12, there . will be a commemorative
session with a speaker to be announced, at the
Air and Space Museum (Kirkpatrick Center), 50th
and Martin Luther King, sponsored by the YWCA
Crisis Intervention Services. Look for further details in the October newsletter.
UPDATE ;~: DONNA BECHTEL AND SARAH SMITH
/

Donna ijechtel, an Edmond battered woman who
shot and· killed her abusive husband last year, is
currently serving a life sentence for first degree
murder at Mable Bassett Correctional Center. A
group of concerned citizens (Citizens for Donna
Bechtel) formed in May to express community outrage at the plight of Ms. Bechtel and other battered women. The group is currently working to
call for a grand jury · investigation of Ms.
Bechtel's case, while her attorneys prepare her
appeal. Ms. Bechtel would appreciate hearing from
supporters.
Write to Donna Bechtel #146203,
MBCC SHU, P.O. Box 11492, OKC, OK 73136.
Shortly after Ms. Bechtel's sentencing in May, -a
southside battered woman, Sarah Smith, was arrested for first degree murder, in the shootii'ig
death of her battering husband. Sarah is currently
imprisoned at Oklahoma County Jail, awaiting trial.
he has been virtually deserted by family and
friends in her time of need. She receives no visits
and few letters. Sarah has no money so she
cannot communicate with anyone, even by letter.
She needs to hear from friends, especially those
with a few dollars to share. Sarah's address is
S ·ah S ith WW4, Okla. County Jail, 321 Park
Ave., OKC, OK 73102.

REFLECTIONS FROM THE MICHIGAN FESTIVAL
The 10th anniversay extravaganza, Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, Aug. 8-11, 1985, was a wonderful way for a first-time festival goer to be introduced to a very special part of womyn's culture. It
was only about a year ago that I heard such an
event took place.
My hope of attending the
festival became a possibility, then a strong maybe,
and finally, a reality.
We drove onto the land (which is being purchased
by the We Want the Music Collective, which organizes the festival) on Wednesday at noon and were
greeted by many busy, smiling womyn. The hustle
and bustle of the workers trying to move everyone
along in an orderly fashion was constant.
Eventually, we had our camping equipment and
survival necessities for the next five days at our
campsite. There seemed to be a campsite to fit
almost anyone's lifestyle. · The Twilight Zone was
for loud and rowdy folks. Bread and Roses was the
chemicalfree camping area. Jupiter Jumpoff was
the quiet zone. The DART campsite was for the
disabled, and · Bush Gardens was general camping.
Community t ents for womyn who did not have their
own gear were available in several areas.
The schedule of events for Thursday through
Sunday was filled with workshops, day stage
concerts,
acoustic
performances,
night stage
concerts, after hours cafe entertainment and
movies under the stars (after the night concerts).
Thre re were eight separate areas in which
workshops on all topics were conducted throughout
the day.
The Oasis (emotional support) led
workshops and support groups also. Topics ranged
from fun stuff like learning to mime, to the more
serious, survivors of sexual abuse.
I attended five workshops and enjoyed the atmosphere of sharing and the exchanging of information.
Hearing what is happening with other womyn from
many parts of the USA and other countries was enlightening. I did feel that two of the workshop
le ders should have done more research into the
topic they were discussing.
personal favorite performers were Alix Dobkin,
Li da Tillery, Kate Clinton and Ronnie Gilbert. Dura night concert, a short film, entitled "One
i e Day, " was shown. It was a collection of
pictures of womyn from all walks of life. T e
soundtrack was inspiring, especially when several
thousand womyn in the audience were clapping a d
voicing their appreciation.
I was impressed with the overall attitude of womyn
helping each other and caring for one another.
There seemed to be a trust among each other and
safety in the womyn-only environment.

The time to leave the festival was near. All the
programs had been completed. The tents had been
taken down and it was time to go ba ck t o our

homes. It was a time of reflections, meeting new
friends and getting in touch with ourselves. I left
with a wealth of information that will take time to
sort out.
A wonderful thing happened as we were ready to
drive away. A huge bus was stuck after sitting for
several days in the same place. Volunteers wer e
asked to help push the bus free. The passengers
got off the bus and about 30 or 35 womyn pushed
with all their strength. It took a few minutes but
ro ling, a loud cheer and
when the bus wa
congratula- tions on a joint effort was fun to be a
part of.
Jt was a good example of womyn's strength. Womyn
working together; and womyn helping each other.
The festival was exciting, fun, hard work, throughtprovoking, and I encourage everyone who has the
opportunity to go.
K.M.
· Norman, 0

T

Dr. Susan M. Andrew
t

'

CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIAN
ACUPUNCTURE

HOURS .BY APPOINTMENT
cs1te1 ees-7077

'
'.
/;.

7717 E. 21ST ST .. SUITE B
TULSA, OKLAHOMA 7412Q

'

,I

KRISTINA S. MAREK
Attorney and Counselor at Law

1137 N. W. 31st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
405-.521-8434, after .5:00 P.M.

P.O. BOX 10472
MIDWEST CITY, OK 73140
405-737 -7487

POT POUR!
..If you have seen or heard Holly Near and Ronnie Gilbert's concert or "Lifeline" album, you have
heard Bernice Johnson Reagon's (founder of Sweet
Honey in the Rock) song, "Biko," about Stephen
Biko, the young leader of the Black Consciousness
Movement in South Africa. After being arrested
on Sept. 6, 1977, Biko was interrogated and beaten by police, then put in the back of a truck and
taken hundreds of miles to a hospital, where he
died. Ronnie Gilbert on her album sings a moving
song about Biko's death.

'"

Mar'ilyn

September 12, at 7:00 p.m., on Showtime, Albert
Finney stars in and directs a special about the inquest after the death of Stephen Biko. Plan now
to view this important show. Several of us will be
taping it for further viewing.

Frye

••After patiently viewing "Brothers" for over a
year, I am ready for Cliffie to get a beau. Has
anyone else noticed that there is a lot of talk about Cliff's being gay, but no action? Come on--if
this show is going to be what the promos prom- ·
ised, let's see some actual living instead of so
much discussion. That one segment with the Rttssian wrestler and the one with the rich guy aren't
enough. And I am not talking about
offending
arey straight viewers, but it's time for Cliff to
start dating, at least.

Feminist Philosopher and Author of

"THE POLITICS OF REALITY"

••Many thanks to Terry and Laura for conducti g
the yard sale with part of the profits going to
Herland.

·
;,

.. Did you know that every time we get back
undeliverable newsletter it costs us 22 cents? You
can help by sending us your changes of address,
using the form on the cover of your newsletter .
.. Do you have five hours a month you could share
with Herland? How about signing up to work at
the resource center one weekend time period during the month?
Drop us a line if you are
interested. We have five new volunteers and are
o pleased to welcome them to the Collective.
There is room for more, and so many jobs to be
done. Get in on the excitement of a new venture
by joining Herland Sister Resources, Inc.
••This morning's perusing of the "Daily Wipe"
reminded me of how I. used to love the Cathy
comic strip and how tired I am of the direction it
has taken for the last few months. Anyone out
there want to help create our own cartoon
character? I know we could do better. Talents in
drawing, writing, thinking, observing life and
aring are needed and wanted. Let us know.

1630 N.W. 19th Street
Oklahoma City

,

Monc{ay, 6eptember G, 1G85, at 8 p,m .
·'

J> 2 donation

.

l1lw'::~,:::,,::,,~~~~:«::1:::::::::H:I!1)j.
:::=:::We want to thank you for your prayers, kind :;:;:;:;
t).houghts, beautiful flowers and plants and fruit{}
:~:!:::i>askets, for your notes and cards,
} :::
~:;:;:;
::::::::
~:;:::;And a Special Thanks to all the wonderful;:::;:;;
· r}people at the Bunkhouse and Mainliner Clubs(t
!{:!for the Benefit to help us out.
:f!:!

f !!!we

d~~~f~

also have a Special Thanks for Shotzy an
t~!!all our help and friends who worked so hard to::f::

I' ~:Pth:: ;::·~rom the bottom
of our hearts, 1.1
DJ and Pam
:;:;:;:;

::;:;:;:

:!{i~rttttt:~ttt:r:tt!f!tt!f!t!ltt:!ttt::t::tttttfttr:rt{f)

OKLA. GAY RODEO ASSOCIATION FORMS
The Oklahoma Gay Rodeo AHociation, afffillated with those in
California, Colorado, Texas and Arizona, has been formed and
is seekinc new members.
Activites planned include 1YD1khanas, horse shows, drill teams,
square dance teams and eventually an Oklahoma cay rodeo.
The organizers will be coordinatinc travel to other gay rodeo
events.
Membership is S20 per year. Please makes checks payable to
OGRA and mail to OGRA, Rt. 2, Box 300, Jones, Ok 73049, or
write for further information.

Women art ists in paintins, cra phics, photocraphy, class, jewelry,
sculpture, wood, pottery, weaving or any other creative art are
invited to exhibit free of charse, or sell for a SlO fee .
Your application to participate in exhibits, sales or performances must be received by Oct. 6. Mail to Sussy Ely, 226 S.
Knoblock, Stillwater, OK 74074, (405) 372-7678.
Display tables will be provided. If poHible, please send backcround information and B&W photos for press releases (sorry,
material is not returnable).
The 4th Annual Women in the Arts is supported by the National Orcanization for Women, OSU Women's Council and the Stillwater Arts and Humanities Council.

WOMEN'S NATIONAL FINALS RODEO TO BE IN GUTHRIE
The championships for the Women's Professional Rodeo
AIBociation will be held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13 and 14
at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie.
The finals will feature the top 15 women in the world in each
of these events: bull riding, bareback riding, team roping, steer
undecorating and calf roping.
There will be three performances, Friday at 8:00 p.m.,
Saturday at 2:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Tickets, S5 for ceneral
admission and SlO, reserved seating, are available at the
YWCA, 129 N.W. 5, Oklahoma City, at Sheplers Western Wear,
the Sheraton in Edmond, and at Walmart in Guthrie.

WE APP RCIATE OUR VOLUNTEERS

The Volunteer Training Session
egina Bennett went very well.

conducted

elcome, welcome to our five new volunteers and
thanks for your interest and support!

The YWCA Criris Intervention Services receives 25 cents for
each ticket sold.
DIGNITY TO HOST STATEWIDE RETREAT
Dicnity/OKC, in cooperation with Dignity/Intecrity of Tulsa,
will host a foint religious retreat at Camp Eagan in Tahlequah,
OK, on Sept. 6-8, 1985.
Events for this special weekend retreat will include mass and
a special liturCY provided by Dignity/OKC, and a weekend
workshop and cuest speaker provided by Dignity/lntecrity of
Tulsa.
Camp Eagan is located on Highway 62, 12 miles east of downtown Tahlequah. A dorm accomodatinc 52 people, a meeting
lounge with fireplace, and two huge bathroom facilities have
been reserved. The entire weekend, includinc two nichts lodginc and meals, costs S29.50 per person. Meals and registration
is S18 per person, if you do not plan to stay in the dorms.
The deadline for recistration was Aug. 25, so contact Dignity/.
OKC, P.O. Box 25473, OKC, OK 73125, immediately.
SHE SPORTS SPONSORS RUN FOR WOMEN
Runners, cet ready for the Run for Women, to be held Sept.
29, 8:00 a.m. at Lake Hefner in Okla. City. The 5K (3.1 miles)
race and a 1 miler will start at Stars and Stripes Park, North
Portland at Lake Hefner Dr.
The entry fee is S6 for prerecistration throuch Sept. 28, S8
on race day, when registration becins at 6:00 a.m. All entrants
will receive a T-shirt. Race packets will be available at She
Sports, Quail Sprincs Mall, from Sept. 26-29 and on-site.
Special trophies and prizes will be awarded to the top three
overall winners. The first three places in each ace division in
the 5K will receive medals. Prizes are donated by New Balance
and Women On The Run.
Recistration forms are available from She Sports, 2501 W.
Memorial Rd., Oklahoma City, OK 73134.
WOMEN IN THE ARTS TO CELEBRATE IN STILLWATER
A (:elebration of women's contributions to the visual and performinc arts will be held Saturday, Oct. 12, 1985, from 10:00
a.m. t o 3:00 p.m., at t he Garden Terrace of OSU's student
union.
Women musicians, vocalists or instrumentalists, soloists or
croups, are invited to share your talents. Sound equipment will
be provided, if needed. Creative, writers are invited to give
readinsa durinc the exhibition and sale. Performers, dancers,
mimes, homorists are invited to perform.

by

'Qi 1() 1() 1()

I~ If\\\'A\ IV I[)
/. , FOR INFORMATION
LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION
{ OF PERSON OR PERSONS
·'
who held up and shot DJ and Pam
Saturday night/Sunday morning, 3:15 a.m.
June 30, 1985

Information held in confidence

If you have information, Call
Detective Glen DeSpain
office, 252-5311, ext. 340

TERRY COCON, Representative

A.LWIWAMS
1330 N. Classen Blvd.,
IG-.5
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(If 0.5) 232-9806
A.L. llLLIAMS IS A C~P OF INDEPENDENT l~llNEllMEN ANO •OMfN
MAlittTINC LIFE INSURANCE AND OTHER FINANCIAL PROOUCH
. . . . . . . . . . . M&l.N.C"'6M'ltl W.Ml\11, 6 L,1Je C.,.,.PA"'1

&..IMlil OUcn.. AIWt&e ""9t 111

ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE EXPERT COMING TO STATE
Silena Heron, currently teachill&' botanical medicine at the Nat uropathic Medical School in Seattle, Washington, will be in this
area Sept. 11-17, and will be available by appointment for
those who seek to learn how to get well or stay healthy
through botanical medicines, supplements, proper diet and exercise to meet your specific needs.

announces
the next meeting of the Collective
Open to the Public

Heron will lead a Nature Walk Sept. 14, to teach identification
and use of local wild plant life.
Silena Heron has been teaching herbology and natural medicine for more than 10 years. She is a Registered Nurse and
has completed three years of naturopathic medical school. In
addition to her background in Western , naturopathic and Chinese medicine, she has spent many years with Native American
Indians.

Sunday, September 15, 1985, 6:30 p.m.
1630 N.W. 19

For appointments for private consultation or for further information, call Ellen McGaughy, 405-3213903 or Sequlta Hawkins
405-329-5418. Special fees are available for mother and child
consultation.
AIKIDO AND JUDO INSTRUCTION OFFERS PROTECTION

Cassia A. Mealor, M.S.

The Windsong Dojo, 1706 N.W. 16, Okla. City, offers instruction in aikido and judo to beginners and advanced students,
children and adults. Day and evening classes are available daily
except Wednesday, from 12:30-2:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. Private instruction is by appointment.

Counselor

The basic principle of aikido is love and protection for all
things. Aikido is not an offensive type of martial art--it is def ense against an aegressor rather than self-defense, which
teaches students to become aggressors. Aikido teaches how to
move around a neeative force or turn a negative force away
without striking out.

Her/and Sister Resources
1630 N. W. 19 ,
Oklahoma City, OK 73106

(405) 524·3017

Ailido may be particularly appealing to those who wish to be
enabled to protect themselves but do not want to participate
in a violent act, even when confronted with an attack.
Judo is a spendid physical sport attractine those who want to
get fit, have fun and learn to defend themselves. Judo for
youth If offered by Windsonr Dojo in are groups 6-10, 10-14
and 14 years and older. Classes will begin when school starts
and are scheduled several days a week, afternoons and early
evenings.
Aikido and judo instruction is available by contacting Charles
Caldwell, Dojo Instructor, 521-8226. The Windsong Dofo is the
only full-time dofo in OKC that pursues these two arts. Students are available for demonstrations for clubs and civic orsanizations.
Masso-meridian Balancing is a non-force energy balancing technique which opens and neutralizes the joints of the body. A
workshop will be held Oct. 12-13.

.--

1 '

TAKE A BREAK

/ New Paperbacks (Bestsellers)
Used Paperbacks (Buy or Trade)
COMPUTER CRAFTS
Posters -- Local Crafts -- Jewelry
Greeting Cards, etc.
2624 N. Classen Blvd.
Open Mon-Sat 10-6

Masso-oreano Balancine workshops will be held Sept. 28-29 and
Dec. 7-8. This is an orran atimulatine system which reduces
localized orean stress, increases blood flow and enhances organ
function. It can be used by itself or as an adjunct to Massomeridian Balancine.
Masso-diagono Balancing integrates both of the above into one
oreanic whole, creating an effective stress reduction method of
body manaeement. Attendance at the previous workshops is required. M-diagono workshops will be held Nov. 2-3, and at a
Dec. date to be announced.
The Windsone Dojo is one of only two locations in the country
for training in Masso.

948-1781

COUNCIL OF THE FEMININE FIRE TO GATHER IN CALIF..
The Council of the Feminine Fire is a 10-day intensive workahop, Nov. 8-17, at the Ojai Foundation, California.
Resident faculty includes poets Diane diPrima and Deena
Metzger; Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, anthropologist Joan Halifax; aikido black belt Colleen Kelley; phychologists Marty Kent and
Verona Fonte; gestalt therapist Christine Price; cultural historian Joan Sutherland; international consultant Gigi Coyle; Betty
Didcoct, archaeologist MarUa Gimbutas; ceremonialist Ch
Shinnah; and author and ritualist Starhawk.
The Council of the Feminine Fire is a time to bring together
the forms of the Goddess. It is a time to anneal and heal the
symbolic and the real, the ordinary and the strange, the political and the spiritual, and each of us with the other. It is about the heat of wisdom and compassion meeting in the experience of the feminine. It is about the purification of Hecate's
moon and the kindling of the hearth of the body; home and ·
temple. It is the recognition of the undying lineage of the feminine fire in the continuity of nature and culture, the rebirth
of the feminine in our era, and the mystery of that fire in our
lives today.
In this Council, through teachings, ceremonies and personal
work, participants Will explore many light and dark mirrors of
the contemporary feminine experience--the connection with the
earth Goddess and the destruction which results from the cutting of that connection; the recognition of interdependence as
well as aloneness and alienation; living the qualities of compassion and nurturing along with the qualities of anger, sorrow
and despair; the concern for coming into the body and the
widespread abuse of women's bodies; and the nature of both
feminine environment and helplessness. The images of the
Goddess and the power of her archetype throughout hi~tory
from many different tradi- tions and disciplines will be
examined. Using the teachings of the Medicine Wheels and
Keys, groups will also explore ways in which the feminine fire
can be kindled in Council and the integrated in a balanced way
into our everyday lives.

EDWINA V. JOHNSON. D.D.S.
COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY
•912 S WESTERN
OKLAHOMA CITY . OKLAHOMA 73109

OPEN FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE
MON THRU THUR 6 .00 Pt.1 · 12 00 MIDNIGHT

SUNO~Y 1().1oPI.'

r--()ignit(V;~t
i

I

A group for Lesbian and gay Catholics
and their friends

MASS CELEBRATED TWICE MONTHLY

for information call
Mary Ann
943-8249
~
-~..-c..-..

Ii

'--

Tuition is 5500. Write the Ojai Foundation, P.O., Box 1620,
Ojai, CA 93023, (805) 646-8343, for their complete program.

WOMEN'S MUSIC TOP 20
1. Holly Near/ Arlo Guthrie/ Ronnie Gilbert/ Pete
Seeger "HARP"
2. Ronnie Gilbert, "The Spirit is Free"
3. Chris Williamson, "Prairie Fire"
4. Ann Reed, "Room and Board"
5. Holly Near & Ronnie Gilbert, "Lifeline"
6. Holly Near, "Watch Out"
7. Kay Gardner, "A Rainbow Path"
8. Ferron, "Shadows on a Dime"
9. Ferron, "Testimony"
10. Teresa Trull & Barbara Higbie, "Unexpected"
ll. Chris Williamson, "Portrait"
12.
Chris Williamson, "The Changer and the
Changed"
1 . Deidre McCalla, "Don't Doubt It"
14. Tret Fure, "Terminal Hold"
15. Meg Christian, "From the Heart"
16. Gayle Marie, "Double Talk"
17. Holly Near, Inti-Illimani, "Sing to Me the
Dream"
1 . Holly Near, "Journeys"
19. Chris Williamson & Meg Christian, "Meg/ Chris
at Carnegie Hall"
20. Linda Tillery, "Secrets"

Records and cassettes available at Herland, $8.98

,' '

1

'

I

'

.I

Oeverly K. Evans, M.5.W.
527 N.W 23rd 5rreer
Oklahoma Ciry, OK 73103
(405) 521-8241

THIS SPACE FOR RENT

$10
write:

I
I

BERLAND SISTER RESOURCES, INC.
1630 N.W. 19th Street
Oklahoma · City, OK 73106
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 9
SEPTE B
1985.
THOUGHTS 0

OST GRAND JURO
by Marian Hulsey

There is something about a registered certified letter from the Court Clerk than can only be signed
for by the addressee that, when the addressee is
you, scares the shit out of you. All I _could th~nk
of was my unpaid library fine, but with shakm
hand I signed and even more shakingly, opened my
summons to appear for grand jury duty.
From the very beginning I had mixed feelings about serving. I feel strongly that it is every citize 's duty and responsibility (Judge Owens says it
is our privilege), and I was extremely interested
in the process. When there was a possibility this
jury might hear the Donna Bechtel petition, I was
determined to try to get on it. This did not turn
out to be the case, but the issue it addressed
w s an important one--pornography, obscenity and
a citizen's right to watch whatever he or she
was willing to pay for (Cable TV) in the privacy
of a home.
I talked to some people who had served, trying to
et an idea of the questions I would be asked.
Imagined questions covered my magazine reading
(Ull oh, Ms., The Utney Reader, Vanity Fair, L.C.,
I. .Y.K., the list gets worse), my hair style (I
have been growing my "tail" for a year and decided not to cut it), my style of dress (of course I
wore pants to court--Jeez, I rode my moped!), my
profession (you bet I'm a teacher), the list grew
and my answers struggled not to perforize me,
while getting me seated. For several nights before
our command appearance on Aug. 5, I did not
sleep. I also knew that the jury could go on and
on and it was almost time for school to start.
T is became more of a problem because I will be
going · to a new school, teaching new subjects. The
very thought of making out coherent and impresive lesson plans for a sub made my 30-year old
ulcer flare up royally.
J-Day arrived and we (45 of the 100 suminoned)
gathered in Judge Owens' courtroom. He a_sked all
those who thought they had good reason not to

erve to come fo ard
d about 15 people were
excused. Only t
other women had on pants--they
were both excused in that bunch. Glancing furtively around the gallery I noticed a young woman in
front · of me, reading her annotated Bible, with a
tabbed notebook, with references easily noted.
Across the aisle, a woman sat reading a copy of
Guideposts. I homesteaded my spot on the hard
bench, determined somehow to get seated on the
jury if they did.
The process is not what I expected. Twelve
ames were drawn from a box. Judge Owens asked
them some questions, individually.
(Here there
were some assumptions that galled me, i.e., everyone was expect,ed to be married, have children, be
a regular church goer.) Then DA Macy asked them
questions as a group, followed by same from Cox
Cable's attorney: The judge then asked if anyone
on the jury felt he/she could not listen to the
testimony, 1 in~luding many hours of watching films
from the /' Playboy channel, and then decide the
c se on the legal definition of obscenity, rather
than one's personal taste. Several asked to be
excused here and other names were drawn from
the box. After lunch several others asked to be
excused becau e of child care problems and the
there were 12 that both sides agreed on. So, the
rest of us were excused, without even being
ked a single question.
I was both relieved and disappointed. I had worried so about it, but did feel I had a responsibility to serve. But, I have done a lot of thinking
about it since. You see, I used to make jokes
about pornography, "Just bring your own pornograph," but I did not realize what a threat it was
to my freedom, my life as a woman. The violence
that often accompanies the sexual aspects of
porn, so I am told, makes us all a little less safe.
I have only been exposed to "hard" porn twice in
my life and both times, I left before the film was
over. But, that is a matter of taste. I simply
don't like it. I value my reading time too much to
read it and I don't want to sit and watch it.
There are some .books I have read which some
oth
might call obscene, pornographic, ' and

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor:
Hello. I am writing this in hope that a few readers
witl remember the Class Action called "Oklahoma
Shame." I was one of the eight incarcerated people
w~o filed Terry D. v. Lloyd Rader and the Dept.
of · Human Services. I now work within the same
system for the Institute for Child Advocacy.
When we first filed the suit·,, in 1978, I could not
even imagine the changes that could occur. Later,
as things conti·nued to get better for youth, I felt
great hcipe that other young people might not be
forced to endure the pain of both physical and
emotional abuse, which I endured for so long. ![
thought at long last youth had a chance to reveal
the wrongdoings as they occur, and keep the system on track. I felt I had made a difference, that
the pain I experienced was worthwhile in that others might avoid it. There is a reason for all we do
and go through, good, bad or otherwise.
To9ay I took off my rose-colored glasses. As ![
made arrangem'e nts for an 18-year old to sleep on
the lawn of a flop house, I realized I was wrong. ·
Today I am as helpless and powerless as I was at
age 13 when I first entered this maze calletl' the
"jufvenile system."
I would like to think what is now happening to our
youth is only out of the budget. Yet, when I ta k
to people, I hear the same things, people do not
know how much the little things mean. A simple
bed, food and care would keep this 18-year old out
of prison. Yet, it does not exist, just as it did not
exist for me. I ate out of your garbage cans, I
lived in abandoned cars. And now Rodney is too.
Yet, for me someone came and saw me at my lowest and cared anyway. I was ready to do anything
that would put me back into the security of an
institution, just to survive. Abuse, loss of freedom,
none of these matter when you need food, clothes,
a bed. That is what most youth must do when they
"age out." I am white with no mafor handicaps other than ignorance. There were no resources then,
and today I looked into the mirror at a youth with
no resources now.
l am making my last effort to help. With the expertise of Bill Lofquist, we are writing my autobiography. I want to share what I had to go
through to be alive and productive today. Yet, this
is not just my story--it is the story of thousands of
young people nationwide who could put their names
on the cover and never change a word of the text.
If, and hopefully when, the book is published, I
will leave the system behind me. Every time I hear
or see a young person go down for the last time, I
hurt. I see what I could have been, and I cry. I
know they did not have that one person I had, the
on~ who literally saved my life. I cannot be obfocti e ·about t his, for I lived in their shoes. I cannot go on living these horrors with them.

Please forgive the negative aspect of this letter. I
am sharing wit h you as I would a friend. ·I perceive all of us caring equally. The book has many
goals for me and the co-author, mainly to show t he
world what happens to our youth when they are
too old for caring hands, and what happens to
their lives on the street. If this goal and the many
others I'm sure you can foresee seem worthwhile
to you, please let us know. · This is the hardest
thing I have ever done, and the most challenging
for Bill Lofquist. We need your support. The manuscript will be written. Whether or not it is published remains to be seen. There are so many of us
out there. You can lend your emotional support,
financial support and any resources--all are needed.
It is my dream that this book will give the world a
chance to live and understand what it takes to survive and do what little or much they aan to help
our youth.
Please write or call, or pray. We need you. The
youth need you. And I have always needed you.
Laura Lee
Peace!
(Editor's Note: Correspondence may be addressed
c/o Herland Sister Resources, Inc., 1630 N.W. 19,
klahoma City, OK 73106;· Attn: Laura Cnoate.>

·u h n to the childr n
Where do they go when no one's home
How can· .t hey grow when we leave them alone
Does any~;ie ' care to help the children
They aref all ours.
,\

Have you ever felt like a frightened child
in an adult body
Is our society growing physically and not
emotionally
Plead the cause for our children
They will plead our cause when we are old
Hear their cry for love.
And they will be able to hear that cry
in others
What will happen to the children
Aren't we all children with the ability
to change
Hear their cry, and they will hear yours.
Laura Choate
Midwest City

Publisher:
Editor:
Typesetter:
Advertising:
Circulation:

Herland Sister Resources, Inc .
Elaine Barton
Marian Hulsey
Marian Hulsey_, 521-8434
550

(Continued from page 1)
therein lies the trouble with censorship--who is to
say what is and what is not obscene? The Supreme Court even has trouble with that one.
Years ago I shocked a student by saying that you
could read into any book in the world, including
the Bible, anything, good or bad, that you wanted
to--if that's what you are looking for, that's what
you will find. She came up to me in tears and I
assured her I had not said the Bible is a "bad"
book.

people will buy and view anyway, let 's organize a
campaign t o demand more positive images on TV,
more educational programs about the results of
sexual and other violence to women, about teenage pregnancy, about prostitution, about continued
drug and alcohol abuse among kids, women and
lesbians in particular. I challenge you to write
one letter this fall either to a major network or
to a sponsor, commenting on their programing. We
just might make a diff erencel

How can I justify the Playboy channel's right to
be sold, an individual's right to buy it and watch
it? It would be very easy if the adults who subscribed to it could or would prohibit children's
viewing of it. This is not the case. True, there
ar.e some adults who don't care, but even if they
do, it is hard to keep kids from watching anything
they want to when you are not at home.

HERLAND COFFEEHOUSE
presents
for your entertainment
Fri~ay,

The verdict is in. Cox Cable has the right to off er the Playboy channel, and a citizen has the
right to buy it and view it. I will defend a citizen's right to read or view things in the privacy
of his/her own home, but I cannot condone acts
of sexual and other violence, physical or mental,
a .ainst women, wherever they appear.
We are surrounded by violence. In August we
watched on our local news stations, the OKC poliee gunning down two "dangerous" gunmen, the
first of which was carrying an unloaded, unfireable gun. Of course the police didn't know t e
n was unloaded, but the news clip does not
s ow him pointing the gun in as threatening a
manner as was reported after the fact. I try t o
assure myself that something can be done about
violence in general, and to women specifically, but
am not sure.
I have observed enough about human nature to believe that when you try to legislate sue~ thin s
as "Thou shalt love one another," and "Thou shalt
not watch or read what I consider to be obscene," that there will always be problems. True,
not everyone can filter and censor for him/·
herself. We, as parents and teachers, have an o ·
ligation to do some of it, but we also must teach
kids to do their own. Having grown up in Oklahoma during Prohibition, I can attest to the ease
with which kids could buy alcohol of any kind. All
it took was the $$, and there was even delivery
service. That made it just more attractive, bet we shouldn't do it. I alcause someone tho
ways figured t hat smokin' , drinkin' and dabblin' in
exual adventures ad t o be pretty neat because
my mother was so against all three.
I guess the gist of all this rambling is to relay
one person's viewpoint of what is a problem, but
e being dealt with in a very ineffective and
negative manner. Rather than censor what some

WILLIAMSO N

DONA

September 27, 1985
8:00 p.m.

Berland Sister Resources, Inc.
1630 N.W. 19
Oklahoma City

Dear Sisters:
;~

I

m moving from this location, so please remove
my name from your mailing list. I realize how much
of an expense inailing can be.
I've enjoyed- and always felt good about your newsletter. flease continue on with the fine fob that
you do. , ·
I will be looking forward to reconnecting with Berland as soon as I'm established in my new area.
Again, thank you.
-S

Apache, OK

Dear HSR:
Enclosed please find my check for $220. I have
been reading your newsletter for several months. A
friend of mine has shared it with me as I have not
subscribed to it personally. I am most impressed
with the quality of articles and reviews you have
included, and am sure this is the most inclusive
newsletter of its kind in Oklahoma.
I hope this (contribution) helps. I'm anxious to see
your work continue. I'll be in the area (in Sept.)
d am hoping to be able to stop in and see your
center.
Dr. Susan M. Andrew
Tulsa, OK

HERLAND FALL FESTIVAL TAKES TO WOODS

;--f;Ai.L"F"EsnVA'LiliiTR'E"A~F"o"Rw~M"E-;---i

Imagine sitting in a cave where Belle Starr hid
from "The Law, " where the James Brothers hid
out. Well, you· are being offered the opportunity
by Herland Sister Resources, Inc., who is sponsoring a retreat/ workshop / festival for women from
Friday evening, Oct. 25 until Sunday noon, Oct.
27, 1985, at Robbers Cave State Park, north of ·
Wilburton.

I
REGISTRATION
I
I Name(s)
I
---------------1

Musicians Mary Reynolds and Peggy Johnson will
be in concert in the park amphitheatre (weather
permitting, otherwise, in dining hall). There will be
workshops on a variety of topics for those interested, but the event is being left unstructured
enough to allow ample time for recreation and socializing.

IDeadline for pre-registration: October 11, 1985

The retreat is being held at one of the group
camps, which will accomodate 250 people. Cabins
containing bunks with mattresses and ·covers for
small groups, a large dining hall and kitchen equipped with cooking and eating utensils, and
bathrooms are provided. Bring food for the weeke , including something to cook out on Saturday ·
ni1ht, plus a dish to share with everyone. . For
those who do not care to cook, there is a cafe in
the park, plus a grocery store for items you might
forget. Other items you should bring are a bedroll
or sleeping bag, pillow, towels, toilet articles,
flashlights, musical instruments, toys, camera, fishing1 equipment.
Children and pets are welcome, but the latter
must be kept on a leash while out of doors.
There are several nice fishing spots, plus great
hiking, rock climbing and wonderful ·places for outdoor nature photography. The fall colors should be
in full glory then. Paddle boats and kayaks are
available for renting on the park's lake, and there
is a beach area, although it may be too cold to
swim. There is also a softball field.
Bring arts and crafts for exhibit or sale, plus networking information. Anyone who would like to
lead a workshop, please contact Herland by Oct.
1.
HSR must have a count on attendees so send the
pre,registration form below and your check for
$10 per person by October 11. 1985, to Kris
ek, 1137 N.W. 31, Oklahoma City, OK 73118.
0 site registration is S15 ' per person. ·

Herland has just received a new shipment of
books.
Saturday, 10:00 a .m - 6:00 p.m .
Store hours:
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

I

Address_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

I City

State
Zip- - - 1 1
llTelephone....__...L-.._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

IMail this form and your check for $10 per person
1to:
Kris Marek
.
I
1137 N.W. 31
I._ - _2,k!!...!! _!l_C_!!t:,. Qli.llU,fL _ - - - - - - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS, OCT. 6-12
Domestic Violence Awareness Week is set aside to
remember the women who have been killed by a
spouse or partner, and to reflect on women who
are still enduring the pain of life with a battering
partner. During this week, we celebrate the fact
that every year women take positive steps, often
against all odds, to stop violence in their lives.
On October 12, there . will be a commemorative
session with a speaker to be announced, at the
Air and Space Museum (Kirkpatrick Center), 50th
and Martin Luther King, sponsored by the YWCA
Crisis Intervention Services. Look for further details in the October newsletter.
UPDATE ;~: DONNA BECHTEL AND SARAH SMITH
/

Donna ijechtel, an Edmond battered woman who
shot and· killed her abusive husband last year, is
currently serving a life sentence for first degree
murder at Mable Bassett Correctional Center. A
group of concerned citizens (Citizens for Donna
Bechtel) formed in May to express community outrage at the plight of Ms. Bechtel and other battered women. The group is currently working to
call for a grand jury · investigation of Ms.
Bechtel's case, while her attorneys prepare her
appeal. Ms. Bechtel would appreciate hearing from
supporters.
Write to Donna Bechtel #146203,
MBCC SHU, P.O. Box 11492, OKC, OK 73136.
Shortly after Ms. Bechtel's sentencing in May, -a
southside battered woman, Sarah Smith, was arrested for first degree murder, in the shootii'ig
death of her battering husband. Sarah is currently
imprisoned at Oklahoma County Jail, awaiting trial.
he has been virtually deserted by family and
friends in her time of need. She receives no visits
and few letters. Sarah has no money so she
cannot communicate with anyone, even by letter.
She needs to hear from friends, especially those
with a few dollars to share. Sarah's address is
S ·ah S ith WW4, Okla. County Jail, 321 Park
Ave., OKC, OK 73102.

REFLECTIONS FROM THE MICHIGAN FESTIVAL
The 10th anniversay extravaganza, Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, Aug. 8-11, 1985, was a wonderful way for a first-time festival goer to be introduced to a very special part of womyn's culture. It
was only about a year ago that I heard such an
event took place.
My hope of attending the
festival became a possibility, then a strong maybe,
and finally, a reality.
We drove onto the land (which is being purchased
by the We Want the Music Collective, which organizes the festival) on Wednesday at noon and were
greeted by many busy, smiling womyn. The hustle
and bustle of the workers trying to move everyone
along in an orderly fashion was constant.
Eventually, we had our camping equipment and
survival necessities for the next five days at our
campsite. There seemed to be a campsite to fit
almost anyone's lifestyle. · The Twilight Zone was
for loud and rowdy folks. Bread and Roses was the
chemicalfree camping area. Jupiter Jumpoff was
the quiet zone. The DART campsite was for the
disabled, and · Bush Gardens was general camping.
Community t ents for womyn who did not have their
own gear were available in several areas.
The schedule of events for Thursday through
Sunday was filled with workshops, day stage
concerts,
acoustic
performances,
night stage
concerts, after hours cafe entertainment and
movies under the stars (after the night concerts).
Thre re were eight separate areas in which
workshops on all topics were conducted throughout
the day.
The Oasis (emotional support) led
workshops and support groups also. Topics ranged
from fun stuff like learning to mime, to the more
serious, survivors of sexual abuse.
I attended five workshops and enjoyed the atmosphere of sharing and the exchanging of information.
Hearing what is happening with other womyn from
many parts of the USA and other countries was enlightening. I did feel that two of the workshop
le ders should have done more research into the
topic they were discussing.
personal favorite performers were Alix Dobkin,
Li da Tillery, Kate Clinton and Ronnie Gilbert. Dura night concert, a short film, entitled "One
i e Day, " was shown. It was a collection of
pictures of womyn from all walks of life. T e
soundtrack was inspiring, especially when several
thousand womyn in the audience were clapping a d
voicing their appreciation.
I was impressed with the overall attitude of womyn
helping each other and caring for one another.
There seemed to be a trust among each other and
safety in the womyn-only environment.

The time to leave the festival was near. All the
programs had been completed. The tents had been
taken down and it was time to go ba ck t o our

homes. It was a time of reflections, meeting new
friends and getting in touch with ourselves. I left
with a wealth of information that will take time to
sort out.
A wonderful thing happened as we were ready to
drive away. A huge bus was stuck after sitting for
several days in the same place. Volunteers wer e
asked to help push the bus free. The passengers
got off the bus and about 30 or 35 womyn pushed
with all their strength. It took a few minutes but
ro ling, a loud cheer and
when the bus wa
congratula- tions on a joint effort was fun to be a
part of.
Jt was a good example of womyn's strength. Womyn
working together; and womyn helping each other.
The festival was exciting, fun, hard work, throughtprovoking, and I encourage everyone who has the
opportunity to go.
K.M.
· Norman, 0

T

Dr. Susan M. Andrew
t

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CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIAN
ACUPUNCTURE

HOURS .BY APPOINTMENT
cs1te1 ees-7077

'
'.
/;.

7717 E. 21ST ST .. SUITE B
TULSA, OKLAHOMA 7412Q

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KRISTINA S. MAREK
Attorney and Counselor at Law

1137 N. W. 31st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
405-.521-8434, after .5:00 P.M.

P.O. BOX 10472
MIDWEST CITY, OK 73140
405-737 -7487

POT POUR!
..If you have seen or heard Holly Near and Ronnie Gilbert's concert or "Lifeline" album, you have
heard Bernice Johnson Reagon's (founder of Sweet
Honey in the Rock) song, "Biko," about Stephen
Biko, the young leader of the Black Consciousness
Movement in South Africa. After being arrested
on Sept. 6, 1977, Biko was interrogated and beaten by police, then put in the back of a truck and
taken hundreds of miles to a hospital, where he
died. Ronnie Gilbert on her album sings a moving
song about Biko's death.

'"

Mar'ilyn

September 12, at 7:00 p.m., on Showtime, Albert
Finney stars in and directs a special about the inquest after the death of Stephen Biko. Plan now
to view this important show. Several of us will be
taping it for further viewing.

Frye

••After patiently viewing "Brothers" for over a
year, I am ready for Cliffie to get a beau. Has
anyone else noticed that there is a lot of talk about Cliff's being gay, but no action? Come on--if
this show is going to be what the promos prom- ·
ised, let's see some actual living instead of so
much discussion. That one segment with the Rttssian wrestler and the one with the rich guy aren't
enough. And I am not talking about
offending
arey straight viewers, but it's time for Cliff to
start dating, at least.

Feminist Philosopher and Author of

"THE POLITICS OF REALITY"

••Many thanks to Terry and Laura for conducti g
the yard sale with part of the profits going to
Herland.

·
;,

.. Did you know that every time we get back
undeliverable newsletter it costs us 22 cents? You
can help by sending us your changes of address,
using the form on the cover of your newsletter .
.. Do you have five hours a month you could share
with Herland? How about signing up to work at
the resource center one weekend time period during the month?
Drop us a line if you are
interested. We have five new volunteers and are
o pleased to welcome them to the Collective.
There is room for more, and so many jobs to be
done. Get in on the excitement of a new venture
by joining Herland Sister Resources, Inc.
••This morning's perusing of the "Daily Wipe"
reminded me of how I. used to love the Cathy
comic strip and how tired I am of the direction it
has taken for the last few months. Anyone out
there want to help create our own cartoon
character? I know we could do better. Talents in
drawing, writing, thinking, observing life and
aring are needed and wanted. Let us know.

1630 N.W. 19th Street
Oklahoma City

,

Monc{ay, 6eptember G, 1G85, at 8 p,m .
·'

J> 2 donation

.

l1lw'::~,:::,,::,,~~~~:«::1:::::::::H:I!1)j.
:::=:::We want to thank you for your prayers, kind :;:;:;:;
t).houghts, beautiful flowers and plants and fruit{}
:~:!:::i>askets, for your notes and cards,
} :::
~:;:;:;
::::::::
~:;:::;And a Special Thanks to all the wonderful;:::;:;;
· r}people at the Bunkhouse and Mainliner Clubs(t
!{:!for the Benefit to help us out.
:f!:!

f !!!we

d~~~f~

also have a Special Thanks for Shotzy an
t~!!all our help and friends who worked so hard to::f::

I' ~:Pth:: ;::·~rom the bottom
of our hearts, 1.1
DJ and Pam
:;:;:;:;

::;:;:;:

:!{i~rttttt:~ttt:r:tt!f!tt!f!t!ltt:!ttt::t::tttttfttr:rt{f)

OKLA. GAY RODEO ASSOCIATION FORMS
The Oklahoma Gay Rodeo AHociation, afffillated with those in
California, Colorado, Texas and Arizona, has been formed and
is seekinc new members.
Activites planned include 1YD1khanas, horse shows, drill teams,
square dance teams and eventually an Oklahoma cay rodeo.
The organizers will be coordinatinc travel to other gay rodeo
events.
Membership is S20 per year. Please makes checks payable to
OGRA and mail to OGRA, Rt. 2, Box 300, Jones, Ok 73049, or
write for further information.

Women art ists in paintins, cra phics, photocraphy, class, jewelry,
sculpture, wood, pottery, weaving or any other creative art are
invited to exhibit free of charse, or sell for a SlO fee .
Your application to participate in exhibits, sales or performances must be received by Oct. 6. Mail to Sussy Ely, 226 S.
Knoblock, Stillwater, OK 74074, (405) 372-7678.
Display tables will be provided. If poHible, please send backcround information and B&W photos for press releases (sorry,
material is not returnable).
The 4th Annual Women in the Arts is supported by the National Orcanization for Women, OSU Women's Council and the Stillwater Arts and Humanities Council.

WOMEN'S NATIONAL FINALS RODEO TO BE IN GUTHRIE
The championships for the Women's Professional Rodeo
AIBociation will be held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13 and 14
at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie.
The finals will feature the top 15 women in the world in each
of these events: bull riding, bareback riding, team roping, steer
undecorating and calf roping.
There will be three performances, Friday at 8:00 p.m.,
Saturday at 2:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Tickets, S5 for ceneral
admission and SlO, reserved seating, are available at the
YWCA, 129 N.W. 5, Oklahoma City, at Sheplers Western Wear,
the Sheraton in Edmond, and at Walmart in Guthrie.

WE APP RCIATE OUR VOLUNTEERS

The Volunteer Training Session
egina Bennett went very well.

conducted

elcome, welcome to our five new volunteers and
thanks for your interest and support!

The YWCA Criris Intervention Services receives 25 cents for
each ticket sold.
DIGNITY TO HOST STATEWIDE RETREAT
Dicnity/OKC, in cooperation with Dignity/Intecrity of Tulsa,
will host a foint religious retreat at Camp Eagan in Tahlequah,
OK, on Sept. 6-8, 1985.
Events for this special weekend retreat will include mass and
a special liturCY provided by Dignity/OKC, and a weekend
workshop and cuest speaker provided by Dignity/lntecrity of
Tulsa.
Camp Eagan is located on Highway 62, 12 miles east of downtown Tahlequah. A dorm accomodatinc 52 people, a meeting
lounge with fireplace, and two huge bathroom facilities have
been reserved. The entire weekend, includinc two nichts lodginc and meals, costs S29.50 per person. Meals and registration
is S18 per person, if you do not plan to stay in the dorms.
The deadline for recistration was Aug. 25, so contact Dignity/.
OKC, P.O. Box 25473, OKC, OK 73125, immediately.
SHE SPORTS SPONSORS RUN FOR WOMEN
Runners, cet ready for the Run for Women, to be held Sept.
29, 8:00 a.m. at Lake Hefner in Okla. City. The 5K (3.1 miles)
race and a 1 miler will start at Stars and Stripes Park, North
Portland at Lake Hefner Dr.
The entry fee is S6 for prerecistration throuch Sept. 28, S8
on race day, when registration becins at 6:00 a.m. All entrants
will receive a T-shirt. Race packets will be available at She
Sports, Quail Sprincs Mall, from Sept. 26-29 and on-site.
Special trophies and prizes will be awarded to the top three
overall winners. The first three places in each ace division in
the 5K will receive medals. Prizes are donated by New Balance
and Women On The Run.
Recistration forms are available from She Sports, 2501 W.
Memorial Rd., Oklahoma City, OK 73134.
WOMEN IN THE ARTS TO CELEBRATE IN STILLWATER
A (:elebration of women's contributions to the visual and performinc arts will be held Saturday, Oct. 12, 1985, from 10:00
a.m. t o 3:00 p.m., at t he Garden Terrace of OSU's student
union.
Women musicians, vocalists or instrumentalists, soloists or
croups, are invited to share your talents. Sound equipment will
be provided, if needed. Creative, writers are invited to give
readinsa durinc the exhibition and sale. Performers, dancers,
mimes, homorists are invited to perform.

by

'Qi 1() 1() 1()

I~ If\\\'A\ IV I[)
/. , FOR INFORMATION
LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION
{ OF PERSON OR PERSONS
·'
who held up and shot DJ and Pam
Saturday night/Sunday morning, 3:15 a.m.
June 30, 1985

Information held in confidence

If you have information, Call
Detective Glen DeSpain
office, 252-5311, ext. 340

TERRY COCON, Representative

A.LWIWAMS
1330 N. Classen Blvd.,
IG-.5
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(If 0.5) 232-9806
A.L. llLLIAMS IS A C~P OF INDEPENDENT l~llNEllMEN ANO •OMfN
MAlittTINC LIFE INSURANCE AND OTHER FINANCIAL PROOUCH
. . . . . . . . . . . M&l.N.C"'6M'ltl W.Ml\11, 6 L,1Je C.,.,.PA"'1

&..IMlil OUcn.. AIWt&e ""9t 111

ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE EXPERT COMING TO STATE
Silena Heron, currently teachill&' botanical medicine at the Nat uropathic Medical School in Seattle, Washington, will be in this
area Sept. 11-17, and will be available by appointment for
those who seek to learn how to get well or stay healthy
through botanical medicines, supplements, proper diet and exercise to meet your specific needs.

announces
the next meeting of the Collective
Open to the Public

Heron will lead a Nature Walk Sept. 14, to teach identification
and use of local wild plant life.
Silena Heron has been teaching herbology and natural medicine for more than 10 years. She is a Registered Nurse and
has completed three years of naturopathic medical school. In
addition to her background in Western , naturopathic and Chinese medicine, she has spent many years with Native American
Indians.

Sunday, September 15, 1985, 6:30 p.m.
1630 N.W. 19

For appointments for private consultation or for further information, call Ellen McGaughy, 405-3213903 or Sequlta Hawkins
405-329-5418. Special fees are available for mother and child
consultation.
AIKIDO AND JUDO INSTRUCTION OFFERS PROTECTION

Cassia A. Mealor, M.S.

The Windsong Dojo, 1706 N.W. 16, Okla. City, offers instruction in aikido and judo to beginners and advanced students,
children and adults. Day and evening classes are available daily
except Wednesday, from 12:30-2:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. Private instruction is by appointment.

Counselor

The basic principle of aikido is love and protection for all
things. Aikido is not an offensive type of martial art--it is def ense against an aegressor rather than self-defense, which
teaches students to become aggressors. Aikido teaches how to
move around a neeative force or turn a negative force away
without striking out.

Her/and Sister Resources
1630 N. W. 19 ,
Oklahoma City, OK 73106

(405) 524·3017

Ailido may be particularly appealing to those who wish to be
enabled to protect themselves but do not want to participate
in a violent act, even when confronted with an attack.
Judo is a spendid physical sport attractine those who want to
get fit, have fun and learn to defend themselves. Judo for
youth If offered by Windsonr Dojo in are groups 6-10, 10-14
and 14 years and older. Classes will begin when school starts
and are scheduled several days a week, afternoons and early
evenings.
Aikido and judo instruction is available by contacting Charles
Caldwell, Dojo Instructor, 521-8226. The Windsong Dofo is the
only full-time dofo in OKC that pursues these two arts. Students are available for demonstrations for clubs and civic orsanizations.
Masso-meridian Balancing is a non-force energy balancing technique which opens and neutralizes the joints of the body. A
workshop will be held Oct. 12-13.

.--

1 '

TAKE A BREAK

/ New Paperbacks (Bestsellers)
Used Paperbacks (Buy or Trade)
COMPUTER CRAFTS
Posters -- Local Crafts -- Jewelry
Greeting Cards, etc.
2624 N. Classen Blvd.
Open Mon-Sat 10-6

Masso-oreano Balancine workshops will be held Sept. 28-29 and
Dec. 7-8. This is an orran atimulatine system which reduces
localized orean stress, increases blood flow and enhances organ
function. It can be used by itself or as an adjunct to Massomeridian Balancine.
Masso-diagono Balancing integrates both of the above into one
oreanic whole, creating an effective stress reduction method of
body manaeement. Attendance at the previous workshops is required. M-diagono workshops will be held Nov. 2-3, and at a
Dec. date to be announced.
The Windsone Dojo is one of only two locations in the country
for training in Masso.

948-1781

COUNCIL OF THE FEMININE FIRE TO GATHER IN CALIF..
The Council of the Feminine Fire is a 10-day intensive workahop, Nov. 8-17, at the Ojai Foundation, California.
Resident faculty includes poets Diane diPrima and Deena
Metzger; Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, anthropologist Joan Halifax; aikido black belt Colleen Kelley; phychologists Marty Kent and
Verona Fonte; gestalt therapist Christine Price; cultural historian Joan Sutherland; international consultant Gigi Coyle; Betty
Didcoct, archaeologist MarUa Gimbutas; ceremonialist Ch
Shinnah; and author and ritualist Starhawk.
The Council of the Feminine Fire is a time to bring together
the forms of the Goddess. It is a time to anneal and heal the
symbolic and the real, the ordinary and the strange, the political and the spiritual, and each of us with the other. It is about the heat of wisdom and compassion meeting in the experience of the feminine. It is about the purification of Hecate's
moon and the kindling of the hearth of the body; home and ·
temple. It is the recognition of the undying lineage of the feminine fire in the continuity of nature and culture, the rebirth
of the feminine in our era, and the mystery of that fire in our
lives today.
In this Council, through teachings, ceremonies and personal
work, participants Will explore many light and dark mirrors of
the contemporary feminine experience--the connection with the
earth Goddess and the destruction which results from the cutting of that connection; the recognition of interdependence as
well as aloneness and alienation; living the qualities of compassion and nurturing along with the qualities of anger, sorrow
and despair; the concern for coming into the body and the
widespread abuse of women's bodies; and the nature of both
feminine environment and helplessness. The images of the
Goddess and the power of her archetype throughout hi~tory
from many different tradi- tions and disciplines will be
examined. Using the teachings of the Medicine Wheels and
Keys, groups will also explore ways in which the feminine fire
can be kindled in Council and the integrated in a balanced way
into our everyday lives.

EDWINA V. JOHNSON. D.D.S.
COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY
•912 S WESTERN
OKLAHOMA CITY . OKLAHOMA 73109

OPEN FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE
MON THRU THUR 6 .00 Pt.1 · 12 00 MIDNIGHT

SUNO~Y 1().1oPI.'

r--()ignit(V;~t
i

I

A group for Lesbian and gay Catholics
and their friends

MASS CELEBRATED TWICE MONTHLY

for information call
Mary Ann
943-8249
~
-~..-c..-..

Ii

'--

Tuition is 5500. Write the Ojai Foundation, P.O., Box 1620,
Ojai, CA 93023, (805) 646-8343, for their complete program.

WOMEN'S MUSIC TOP 20
1. Holly Near/ Arlo Guthrie/ Ronnie Gilbert/ Pete
Seeger "HARP"
2. Ronnie Gilbert, "The Spirit is Free"
3. Chris Williamson, "Prairie Fire"
4. Ann Reed, "Room and Board"
5. Holly Near & Ronnie Gilbert, "Lifeline"
6. Holly Near, "Watch Out"
7. Kay Gardner, "A Rainbow Path"
8. Ferron, "Shadows on a Dime"
9. Ferron, "Testimony"
10. Teresa Trull & Barbara Higbie, "Unexpected"
ll. Chris Williamson, "Portrait"
12.
Chris Williamson, "The Changer and the
Changed"
1 . Deidre McCalla, "Don't Doubt It"
14. Tret Fure, "Terminal Hold"
15. Meg Christian, "From the Heart"
16. Gayle Marie, "Double Talk"
17. Holly Near, Inti-Illimani, "Sing to Me the
Dream"
1 . Holly Near, "Journeys"
19. Chris Williamson & Meg Christian, "Meg/ Chris
at Carnegie Hall"
20. Linda Tillery, "Secrets"

Records and cassettes available at Herland, $8.98

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1

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Oeverly K. Evans, M.5.W.
527 N.W 23rd 5rreer
Oklahoma Ciry, OK 73103
(405) 521-8241

THIS SPACE FOR RENT

$10
write:

I
I

BERLAND SISTER RESOURCES, INC.
1630 N.W. 19th Street
Oklahoma · City, OK 73106
Temporal Coverage
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