extracted text

NEWSLETTER

HERLAND
r· e s

0

VOLUME l, NUMBER 7
JULY, 1985

USIC. IDEAS 'BLOOM' AT NWMF
by Marian Hulsey
It was our fifth year to attend the National

Women's Music Festival, held at the University
of Indiana at Bloomington, and, although I have
not attended any other women's music festivals,
I still contend that this one is different.
It is a weekend of "dreams come true";

of
music--three-hour concerts each night, three
hours of Showcase acts in the afternoon (for up
and coming artists), the open mike sessions going on throughout the day and after hours; of
workshops covering spirituality, creativity, wellness, the music industry, all aspects of sober .
support, relationships, third-world issues; of living in a dorm with excellent meals; of seeing
friends you've made at previous festivals and
meeting new ones; of expanding your levels of
consciousness almost to the point of overload.
One workshop I attended explored the question,
"Do I have to be in physical or emotional
pain to be creative?" The consensus was that
we can learn to create from positive rather
th n negative experiences, but that it takes retraining one's work habits. "You must create
from a positive self image," according to workshop leader Toni Herring, a sculptor.
A very metaphysical workshop, led by Jan
Whitely, explored "Reclaiming the Spiritual
Self," stressing that our real strength comes
from accepting diversity. "It is important to
find the things on which we can agree and then
accept diversity," said Whitely, continuing,
"There is no more radical act than taking your
own power, claiming yourself."
Novelist Lee Lynch and poet/teacher/essayist
Judy Grahn led workshops and autographed cop- ,
ies of their books. I attended both sessions of
Grahn's, the first being primarily a poetry reading and discussion of her works.
She paraphrased Sappho as saying that our culture is
what we have when we- have each other and
what we will never have if we don't have each

SISTER
u r c e s
0

BERLAND SISTER RESOURCES , INC.
1630 N.W. 19, Oklah
City, 0 73106

other. Sappho believed (600 B.C.) that death
. was "falling out of the House of the Muse. "
In the lecture hour that followed the readings,
we moved outside (the auditorium was too cold)
and Grahn enlightened the group on many of t he
things we do and like, i.e. the color purple (signifying high spirituality, transformation), t he
amethist, which raises vibrations of spirituality,
opals do the same. Wearing a ring on your little
finger comes naturally because the left little
finger was named for Mercury, a gay god.
Fairies wore green and their favorite day of t he
week was Thursday, their favorite holiday, Halloween.
r.
Certain tribes of American Indians had gay t raditions, in which high offices were held by both
gay ~ud lesbian priests.
There was crossdressi~ and it was considered good fortune to
have shch a person in the family. A child could
choosJ which role to take on (male or female).
From this came the Ceremonial Dyke. The Indians also believed that being gay meant t hat
there were two people in one body and therefore, imbued with special powers. Grahn's books
Another Mother Toyue and The Highest Apple
explore these and other traditions in great detail. She teaches Gay and Lesbian Studies . at
New College of San Francisco, and women's
writing at Mama Bear's
Coffeehouse in
Berkeley/Oakland.
The Festival's Main Stage was opened by
Ronnie Gilbert, accompanied by Adrienne Torf.
They had not rehearsed and it took several
songs for them to get together, but once t hey
did, it was a good segment. The energy level
was not that of the Gilbert/Holly Near concert
in Dallas last fall, but that would have been
asking too much. Gilbert is broadening her musical repertoire, as a result of her tour and r ecord with Near, and she brings such a social
consciousness to the "message" songs she
shares.
(Continued on page 3)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor:

Dear Editor:

We are the world. We are the children. We are the
ones who make a better day. The key word is
"WE," and all of us together make WE. Herland
Sister Resources, Inc., offers women in Oklahoma
and surrounding areas a chance to come together
and form the WE that is needed to make a better
day.

We have come to a time in our society when alcohol c ons umption is not only the norm, it is expected. Social gatherings, parties, picnics, sports events,
etc ., are all "appropriate" places to drink. This letter is intended for those women who feel they consume more alcohol or drugs than they really want
or intend to.
If, when you honestly look at your drinking pattern, you find that you get drunk more often than
you want, or you drink much more than you intended, it is time for you to take charge of your life
and your habits.
If .YOU are experiencing "blackouts," mental lapses
while you are still awake, or if you are experiencing changes in your behavior while drinking that
cause you humiliation or embarrassment, there is
something you can do to help you get rid of your
desire to drink.
My hope is that this letter makes you think and
look deep within for the honesty and courage you
will need to objectively look at yourself and your ·
drinking pattern. If you think there may be a problem, quit for 30 days and see if your attitude and
life improve. If you have tried to quit, but were
unable to, please write to me through Herland.

This is no laughing matter--drinking too much can
kill you, and some throughtful introspection may
save your life.
J. L.
Oklahoma City

HERLAND COFFEEHOUSE
presents
MARY

BLACK

for your entertainment
Friday, July 26, 1985
8:00 p.m.
Herland Sister Resources, Inc.
1630 N.W. 19
Oklahoma City

Publisher:
Editor:
Typesetter:
Advertising:
Circulation:

Herland Sister Resources, Inc.
Elaine Barton
Marian Hulsey
Kris Marek, 521-8434
525

Herland
has grown from Herland Bookstore and
s everal musical events a year, to Herland Sister
Resources, Inc., with a monthly coffeehouse and
musical guest. We now also offer workshops and
special events throughout the year, designed to
help make a better day.
HSR has and will always need your donations, but
equally important, HSR needs your ideas, resources
and attendance. HSR is here to benefit all who
wan~ to make life better and more enjoyable.
In
order for us to do so, we must have your imput.
We need to know what events you would like to
see HSR sponsor.
For us to know what you want, you must tell us.
If you are like most people, you're too busy to sit
down and write a letter, containing your suggestions, and far to busy to mail it. To make your job
, a little easier, listed below are activities in which
you might en.ioy participating. Place a check in t he
blanks that interest you, tear it out and mail it to
Dona Williamsen, HSR, Inc., 1630 N.W. 19 OKC
OK 73106.
.
'
'
I am interested in:
Lesbym 'parents support group
_
_
Wompn's health workshop series
_
Other educational workshops (specify)
_
Special musical/ cultural events (specify)
_
Monthly women's poetry night
_
Okla. women's retreat
_
Travel to music festivals, N.O.W. Conference,
W.A.N.D. Ribbon Wrapping Ceremony; others
(specify)
_
Exhibition for women artists
_
Camping, canoeing, skiing (snow, water), swimming, hiking trips; scuba diving expedition;
softball (game or team); other sports activities (specify)
Your ideas:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-

PLEASE USE ADDITIONAL SHEET IF NEEDED
There are many ways you can contribute to worn"
en's causes and equality. HSR has many needs and
plans for future growth. Your suggestions and ideas
in these areas are needed. Everyone who contributes, whether it be money, time, resources or
ideas, is helping to give women something to be
proud of and a place to go and be relaxed and
free.
Dona W.
OKC

(Continued from page 1)
Ferron f ans were t hrilled by her performance,
but I still don't like her voice. She writes great
music and I know I am in the minority, but her
"Bob Dylan" voice gets in the way of my enjoying her songs.
Linda Tillery has a great voice, but
presence has not loosened up any.
many songs from her new album, and
treat of her set was getting to see
J uli Homi on keyboards. She's a fine
ci n.
June Millington also played
backup.

her stage
She sang
a special
and hear
jazz musiand sang

Fridajr night's emcees were Alexander & Noelle,
a twosome from Chicago who sang at Showcase
last year. They do quite a bit of comedy, but
when they settled down to music, it was very
good.
Unfortunately, Tricia Alexander has
decided to strike out as a solo act.
Saturday's opener was Toshi Reagon, with very
political songs delivered in a good voice, and
excellent guitar playing. She also sang with sever 1 other performers. Reagon (pronounced Reegon) was also a Showcase performer last year.
J une Millington--so nice to look at and listen to.
A little more electronic sound that I like, but a
great performance. June is also a fine producer
of women's records.
Then, the act I was waiting for on this night-Alive!, minus Carolyn Bandy, plus Stacy Rolls on
horns. I am always taken aback by changes in
accompanists, groups, etc., but this is one
addition that really adds a nice sound. This was
t he fourth time I have seen Alive!, plus viewing
them on the Arts Channel's "Women in Jazz"
se ies, and their blend just gets more complimentary. Rhiannon appeared in a dress with a
dropped waistline, and she spent the whole
evening tugging at hip sash. (Performers should
always wear all actual show clothes at several
rehearsals, so they will get used to it. Old trick
from speech training days.)
The evening's emcee was Robin Tyler who also
did a short comedy routine. She used to be my
very favorite, but she was not funny at NWMF
in '83, at least not to me. She was better this
year, although she did use stories she had told
before "Never a Bridesmaid." It seems to me
that she has not kept ·current. She looks different--a little heavier, her hair not as becoming. She had just come from the Southern Festival and was glad to come among those who
were "rustically challenged." Maybe I am the
one who has changed.
Sunday's concert was begun by a new-to-me artist, Beth York, who accompanied vocally and
on piano, The Wright Dance Company. York's
music was very different from the rest of the

festival's performers, but extremely interesting
and beautiful. Her soft, southern accent seemed
reflected in some of the sounds from her piano.
The dancers were also good, seeming to be a
part of the music itself. The dance company is
based in Bloomington and York in Georgia, but
the two expressions were very complimentary.
I cannot say enough about Kate Clinton.
Appearing with a "new" haircut, bleached part
of front and a little squiggle on the side,
looking as provocative as ever, she mesmerized
the audience at an afternoon Showcase, and on
the Sunday night Main Stage. Her humor was as
current as that very afternoon, with, "One of
the · collections going around is for the
Bloomington Land Fund. Yes, we are going t o
bay the University of Indiana. Now, wouldn't
yo~ just love to own a piece of Read Hall?"
One of the funniest things that occurred was
when Kate asked, "How many of you watched
the inauguration?" and not one person in the
500+ audience had seen it. She was flustered,
started laughing, looked at her list and recoyered. She was hot! Although many of her jokes
are even funnier if you were brought up in a
Catholic background, there is enough commonality to make even those jokes funny. She was
introduced as "someone I wish had been my high
school Englishr. teacher." Wouldn't we all!!
Serving as ~mcee and sharing several of her
characters was Judy Sloan, who has revived the
oral tradition · of storytelling. She says, "I gave
birth at~ age 23 to an 85 year old woman,
So~hie, find I think there is a Sophie in each of
us.
:.,
The final act of this year's festival was
Casselberry and Dupree, a duo who performed
last year to enthusiastic fans. They seem to be
concentrating so heavily on their political
essages, acceptable to all when sung but
bordering on too much when spoken between
songs, that they have lost some of the moment um they started a year ago with this particular
f an. They "do" reggae about as well as it can
be done, but somehow their act this year did
not have the appeal it did last June. They advertise that their music comes from many parts
of the America they have experienced as Black
women, but it did not come out sounding like
different experiences, different sounds. I was
sorely disappointed.
Toshi Reagon sang with
them on several numbers.
Maybe it is because there was no concert that
a bsolutely bowled me over as in years past, but
I did not come home with that feeling of emot ional overload.
Maybe that's good. It was
ereat, I learned a lot and I will certainly go
back every year. Maybe I'm just growing up in
this new life.

--~--------------------------------------·--

COMMENTS FROM FESTIVAL NEWGOERS
I was one of several women from Oklahoma who
attended the NWMF in Bloomington. My outlook
may vary from others because this was my f irst
Festival.
I was enthralled. The residents of Bloomington
opened their doors and their community to this
event and the women attending. My lover and I
walked the streets comfortably holding hands. I
have never felt so safe.
The University was beautiful. The one fountain
on campus depicted the "Birth of Venus." . It
seemed as though the University was made for
women. Maybe that's why the Festival fit so
naturally in this environment.
I would recommend this Festival to anyone in
any fiQancial status. It cost me less than $200
for a full pass, dorm for three days, gas
(divided among four persons), food and t he
experience of a lifetime.
Craftswomen from all over the country were
present with sliding scale prices for jewelry,
clothes, crafts, books, periodicals, etc.
The musicians and comedians were all at th ir
best. I saw for the first time June Millington
Alive!, Ronnie Gilbert, Robin Tyler and many
others. They also interacted easily with folks
during the entire Festival.
Next year, consider this Festival for a few days
of entertainment for yourself and family. You
may want to contact Herland about getting in a
· caravan and pooling resources.
See Ya There ...
Laura Choate
We drove and drove and drove. Then it happened. Many of my friends had told me that it
was an experience I would long remember; something for which I would plan year after year.
We were in Bloomington, Indiana, at the National Women's Music Festival.
The campus was breathtaking! Trees grew so
tall that grass flourished under them. Trees of
all kinds reached up to the clouds. A bjOok ran

Cassia A. Mealor, M.S.

down, around and through the campus. Wooden
bridges let you cross at will, built strong and
enduring. Squirrels, chipmonks and rabbits call it
their .home and their playground. I stood in
calm serenity, breathless·~
It only seems natural that the NWMF be held

there. Women of all races and nations gathered
in a spirit of peace and love to share a part of
themselves.
Not only were we all entertained by such greats
as Ronnie Gilbert, Ferron, June Millington,
Alive!, Robin Tyler, Kate Clinton, Casselberry
and DuPree, and Linda Tillery, but many artists
also held workshops. We also had the good fort une of meeting and speaking with the artists.
The NWMF is a place of learning and of sharing ourselves and what we have learned. Like
the surroundings, the women blended together in
harmony.
T e NWMF is held every year and should be
included on everyone's priority list. You will
leave exhausted and yet filled with a warm
glow that will light your dreams until the next
year.
Dona W.
OKC

when i think of comfort or of love
your ha?,ds ·are the only hands
and youf breasts, the only breasts
the musi c of your voice is the wings
of my spirit
and the many lights in your eyes weave
my days together day
after day after
day and
your face is home
thistle
Fayetteville, AR

HER LAND SISTER RESOURCES , I NC.
. .. a specialty center for women

Counselor
Resource Librar y

Monthl y Ne w sletter

Educational Publi c Program s

Books. Mus ic. Art Sales

Cultural Events

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

w.

(405) 524-3017

Counseling and Referral s

SAT. 10-6, SUN . 1- 6
1630 N.W. 19 ST., OKLAHOMA CITY

ACCIDENT DIVIDES MINNESOTA FAMILY
For four years, K.T. and S.K., 28, lived together in a lesbian relationship. They bought a house on Briggs Lake near
St. Cloud, MN, and took out life insurance on each other.
Then, on Nov. 13, 1983, their lives changed suddenly when
S. suffered brain damage and was left quadriplegic after a
car accident, caused by a drunken driver. Now, their relationship and who should supervise S's care is at the center
of a hotly disputed legal battle between K. and S's parents.
The parents questioned K's daily involvement with S's care
and wanted to limit her visiting hours, so K. filed for auardianship. K. then "came out" to S's parents and the dispute
became embittered. S's father denied his daughter's lesbianism and accused K. of being "sick" and "crazy." A Sherburne County District Court judse later awarded custody to
S's parents, with the provision that K. be granted "equal
access" to visitation and medical staff consultations, and
that S. remain in St. Cloud. During this time, K. taught S.
to communicate with an electric typewriter. After lying
comatose for four months, she seemed to be making remarkable progress towards a partial recovery, In September, the
family filed successfully to have her moved to Duluth,
where she quickly regressed. K. continues to fight to get S.
moved back to St. Cloud.
-from Equal Times, reprinted in L.C., Vol. 8, No. 1
PROTECTING OURSELVES AND OUR LOVERS
In reference to (the above news item), K. obviously believes·
that the loving doesn't stop when the going gets tough!
Good for you, K. If put in that position, I can ontY pray
that I would have that kind of courage and patience.

knowing that you wanted to be cremated with your ashes
spread amonr some place special to the two of you, but
having no 8ay if your parents want a traditional burial
somewhere else.
Why take a chance? Be sure that your partner won't be
left with nothing, except for maybe a few unpaid bills for
the property that may end up going to your family.

Bozeman, MT., from L.C., Vol. 8, No. 1
FORESIGHT CAN BE 20/20. TOO
I would like to comment on the above articles. I live in
one of the most conservative states in the nation. My
family is old school Southern Baptist. If I were to be
incapacitated or die, they would probably react very
similarly to the above.
I

I do not want to be kept alive by artificial means, nor do I
want to be in a nursing home, should I not be able to care
for my own needs.
I strongly urge all Oklahoma lesbians to look into a Will
and a Living Will and name the person of your choice as
~cutor of your estate and your living needs. You may
feel you do not have enough personal possessions to warrant a will. Take a few moments to inventory these things
and what your personal needs are. You may find a great
value to your peace of mind is just as important as making
sure things are taken care of to your satisfaction rather
than your family's.
Laura Choate
OKC

A lot of this grief and at least some of the $30,000 in legal bills that K. has incurred so far could have been avoided if the wimmin had had a legal document stating the desire to be responsible for each other in case of an illness
or accident. You probably have furniture, vehicles, land, a
home, etc., that have been purchased together. If both your
names aren't on the title, or if the purchase isn't made
through a joint checking account, and there is not a will
stating that your partner is entitled to that property
through partnership--it can end up going to your family.
Laws vary from state to state, but a "Right to Die" document is becoming more popular every day. You need to let
your family know how you feel about being hooked up to a
machine. Othei-wise, all your partner can do is watch your
death being prolonged. Name a contingent executor, someone
who knows both of you and will speak for you in case the
tragedy involves you both. She can fight for your right to
die because you have given her that power. Sounds rather
messy, right? Well, it happens every day, in every lifestyle.
We are considered single wimmin, so we need to let our
families, friends, lawyers and doctors know how we feel on
legal matters. Without a "will," the responsibility of a single
womyn belongs to the parents, including disposal of the
body. Think about how helpless your partner would feel,

~

SHATZY WATSON

.,~ ~._of' ~e:,

~-~ ~~ ~~
~\; ~' ~~~ p 0 BOX 10472
.A~ ~"
MIDWEST CITY
l\v-~~..:OKLA.
73140
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PHONE: 737-7487
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ALPHA PAINTING
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Commercial - Residential
900 N. FRETZ
EDMOND, OK 73034

P:D. REYNOLDS
( 405) 341 ·9492

PAULA HARDEMAN
( 405) 524·0868

• E•tate Liquidations • Appraiaau -

1008 N. May
942-0124

C5olb

After 6 P.M.
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HERL ND NEWS
It's official--Herland is very pleased to announce
our non-profit status under section 501(c)(3) has
been approved. Thanks to Kris Marek, our legal
counselor, for her outstanding work and many donat ed hours. Over the past six months we have
done the groundwork for an organizational structure
which should prove accessible and responsive to
the public; flexible and functional enough to provide a base for service for many years to come.
The support from our community has allowed us to
maintain activities and expand. Thanks to everyone
who supports our programs with your good words,
smiling faces, suggestions and criticisms. If you
haven't already done so, consider getting involved.
We need you.
To our newsletter readers, beginning with the last
issue, we added "Address Correction Requested: Return Postage Guaranteed." For each return we are
charged $.30, in addition to the 12.5 cents initial
postage. To insure your newsletter reaching the
right place, please let us know if you move. You
won't miss a single issue and you will save us
money.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS

NEW

ADDRESS~~~~~~~~~-

OLD ADDRESS_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

DATE(S) EFFECTIVE_ _ _ _ _ __

WOMEN EXPLORE DISCRIMINATION ISSUES
The following outline is taken from the homophobia workshop
conducted by Suzanne Pharr, Director, Arkansas Women's
Project, May 4, 1985.
Manifestations of Internalized Homophobia:
Aversion to nurturance, of yourself and of others, · f
, ,,::,.:/ ., _, and from others to yourself
Self-critical and low self-esteem
Pear and terror (of bodily harm, economic, loss of children,
family, friends ... )
Self-oppression and oppressing others
Passing as straight and pretending to be eomone you're not
Self-silencing
Destructive relationships
Additions - drugs, alcohol, food, etc.
Suicide
Pear of success
Settling for less
Unrealistic demands of ourselves and of others
New stereotypes/reverse stereotypes (PC,PI, butch, femme,
·etc.)
Invalidation of our social roles (in caretaking professions)
because we're lesbians
Owing society more than our share/Seeking outside permission to live
Horizontal hostility toward each other and internal hostility
toward ourselves are misdirected anger
Avoidance of intimacy
Cutting ourselves off from straight women
Internal (community) prejudice
Withholding support for each other because of our diversity
Depression and stress, displaying protective body language
Statements Whicli are True F'or All Lesbians:
We are very' diverse
We have a ~ame sex orientation
We are all women
~, ·of us live ordinary lives
We icJentify with other lesbians (?)
We ~ave commonlities with other women
We iill live in a homophobic world
Solutions to the Problems of Internalized Homophobia:

HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES, INC.
announces
our next Collective meeting
Open to Public
j.11\..P- -<,....., ,..-~c

.1

6:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 1•1.•°"'"" Q~ 55 \\ ~\.P"
at Herland, 1630 N.W. 19
Call 524-3017, 946-5395

TERRY COCON, Representative

A.LWIWAMS
1330 N. Classen Blvd.,
ilG-5
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(405) 232-9806
A.L. llLLIAMS II A CO-OP OF INDEPENDENT BUllNEISMEN AND ~OMEN
MARltfTINC LIFE INSURANCE A•D OTHER FINANCIAL PROOUCH
1..,,~acnt11"I Maa.uclw•f' t U
Lil• Comp.a.ny
le&~

''*"'"''' *

OU.en, A.U.,ua

~111

Learn our lineage-either the line of women in our family,
or our lesbian heritage
Talk about how we would like to be, as a community and
interpersonally
Set personal, freemg goals/Push the limits (of our
expression of ourselves as lesbians)
Build family, community, coalition. Create HOME: safety and
acceptance
Establish a lesbian presence
Build strong, healing, nurturing relationships/ friendships
Create space for ourselves
Organize events to bring lesbians together--events that af.
firm us
Do public education/internal education
Form support groups/political action groups
Build coalitions with other oppressed groups-connected oppressions
Re-tribalize, seek lesbian role models
Share our stories
Share energy, resources, skills, needs...
Create/reclaim rituals and celebrations to meet our needs
for support and acknowledgement
Find allies and supporters
Rehearse for facing homophobia
Self-educate ourselves about our diversity
Develop strategies for defense

ACTIONS FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
There's plenty happening in commemoration of
the 40th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima
and Nagasaki. Large activities in which you can
pa11ticipate include: 1) the Pantex Pligrimage,
August 3-9, an encampment outside the Pantex
Plant, contact Nathaniel Batchelder at 524-5577 or
Rex Friend at 232-2512 for information; 2) The
August Desert Witness, a non-violent witness at the
Nevada Nuclear Weapons Test Site near Las Vegas,
contact 702-646-4814; 3) The Ribbon Wrapping of
the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Sunday,
August 4, contact Lillian Pawlik at 514-5577. (from
Scissortail)
CONFERENCES
Southern Women: Portraits in Diversity. Tulane University, New Orleans. September 26-28, 1985 ... with
Florence Howe and Toni Cade Bambara. For inform tion, call the Newcomb Women's Center, 504-8655238, or write Beth Willingen, Newcomb Women's
Center, Newcomb College, New Orleans, LA 70118
New Jewish Agenda National Conference, Ann ·
Arbor, Michigan, July 18-21, 1985 ... will be addressing the "most troubling issues of our time" 'in a
progre~sive way. For information, write 149 Church
St., #2-N, New York, NY 10007
Women and Technology, Portland Oregon, August 3,
1985... will focus on workplace technology such as
electronics, information processing and telecommunications. For information, write P.O. Box 40244,·
Portland, OR 97240
Racism in the Americas, Cape Cod, August 21-25,
1985 ... sponsored by the Union for Radical Political
Economics. For information, write URPE Conference, 155 West 23rd St., 12th Fl., New York, NY
10011 (212-691-5722)

WHYPPERWILLOW WOMEN SEEK OTHERS
Wbypperwillow is 320 acres of meadows and woods,
with seasonal springs and a creek running through
the middle of the land to the waterfalls. There is
one central year-round well, no electricity, no
plumbing. One main rough and rocky road leads
down into the hollow and lots of new and old
paths can be found. Access may deter some. While
offering a sense of "other worldness" in her isolation, Wbypperwillow is only about 7 miles from Eureka Springs and 35 miles from Fayetteville, Arkansas. Both offer opportuniti
for employment and
city socializing.
Wbypperwillow is seeking other wymin to join her.
No specific "rules" or "conditions" exist that one
must complete to be eligible for membership. We
ea ch have our own interests and needs regarding

this land. We feel a magic here and look forward
to the journeys of other wY111in as they spiral their
ways here and home.
Wbypperwillow Wymin, Route 1, Box 198, Eureka
Springs, AR 72632
WOMEN'S PROGRAMS AT ROSE STATE COLLEGE
The Office of Women's Programs at Rose State
College, 6420 S.E. 15th Street, Midwest City,
seeks to provide a support system for students new
to college or those re-entering the academic environment. Special services provided include counseling on class schedules and role conflicts, information on study skills and career selections, and special seminars and classes designed to meet the
needs of women on campus.
For additional information, contact the Office of
Women's Programs, Administration Bldg., Rm. 106,
or call 733-7389.
A CLOSER LOOK AT "DOUBLE TALK"
Review by Sara Miller
Singer/songwriter Gayle Marie has released her
second album, "Double Talk." For those already
enchant ·e d by Gayle's lyrical voice and mellow love
songs, you won't be disappointed, but watch
out--"cause you're headed for a pretty wild ride."
1'

"Double Talk" 'i ncludes that blues-ballad "Love Triangle" and "Love's Sweet Song," but Gayle has also
wandered into the land of funk and jazz. The title
cut is an· upbeat cynical look at the double talk
that spotfts 'from the mouths of our nation's leaders.

f

...

"Versatile" is the adjective most often used to describe Gayle Marie. She is able to sing her love
songs with a poignant simplicity that can send shivers dancing up and down your spine, but then she
shifts into high gear and it's your feet that are
dancing.
·
Take Gayle's dare:
... come a little bit closer
... can't you taste the excitement?" You won't
regret it and that's not double talk!
"Double Talk" available on record or cassette order
from Herland, $8.98

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

BOOKS OP INTEREST
Fran Peavey, Heart Politics (New Society, 19.95)

J udy Grahn, Another Mother Tongue (Beacon Press, 116.95)

Teacher, comedian and social change catalyst Peavey of the
"Atomic Comics" tells of her encounters
with the fears and hopes we all carry inside us. Hers is a
journey of connections-with elderly tenants facing eviction
from their residential hotel, with alcoholics and street people
loncing for self-respect, with ordinary Americans awakening
to the threat of nuclear war, with Indians dedicated to
clean.inc up the Ganges River, with prostitutes in Banskok
worried about their children's education, with civilians caucht
in the tragedy of the Middle Bast conflict. Her tales show
us that we can respond to the critical issues of our lives
with humanity and humor.

Why is lavendar a 1ay color?

Who were the "manly hearted
women" of the Sioux Indians? What is the oricin of the word
bulldyke? Weaving tales of mythology, the occult, witch rituals and Indian tribal customs with her own personal history,
Grahn explores the roots of 1ay culture from ancient times
to today. Her own stories (in the military, in the gay bars of
the fifties) told to the memory of her first lover are witty
and startingly honest. (See NWMP article, page 1)

intemationally-to:ur~ng

Louise Brdich, Love Medicine (HRW, 113.95)
Brdich weaves this tale about the Kashpaws and the Samartines on and around a North Dakota reservation from 19341984. The lives and loves of this exiled people are keenly
and tenderly recreated.

Lisa Alther, Other Women (Knopf, 115.95)
Caroline Kelley discovers that Hannah, her confident and
successful therapist, is as strong, stubborn, determined-and
civing--as herself. If you liked Judith Roamer's AYIY!!!. you'll
find Other Women as compelling, but more fun.
Marge Piercy,

My

Also by Brdich, Jacklight, 16.95
Brdich, a Native American woman whose depiction of the
Midwest is broucht to life with keen vision; her poems conjure passion and macic.

Mother's Body (Knopf, 17.95)

Gloria Naylor, Linden Hills (Ticknor & Fields, S16.95)

Marge Piercy's tenth book of poetry features a powerful
sequence of poems to her mother. Poems of Jewish identity,
of nature and themes central to women's lives find the beautiful in the everyday.

Naylor, whiner of the American Book Award for The Women
of Brewster Place (14.95), returns with a novel about a
middle-class black community. "Naylor is not afraid to grapple with life's big subjects: sex, birth, love, death, lrief. Her
talent 1lows like beaten copper."
Washioston Post Book
World

Janet Kauffman, Places in the World a Woman Could Walk
(Penguin, 14.95)
Janet Kauffman's writing is bold, sparse and at times sensuous. _To quote from one selection, "My Mother Surrounded
Me," each story is a "hand-held charm." This collection of
short stories is now out in paper.
Ursula Owens, ed.,
(Pantheon, 17.95)

Fathers:

Reflections

by

Mary Renault, The Friendly Young Ladies (Random House,
16.95)
Originally published as The Middle Mist in 1945, Renault
wrote this bold and forthright novel at a time when few lesbian novels were ';in print. The story is of two modem young
women, Helen and Leo, in thirties London, who have been
living and loving for several years on a houseboat on the
Thames. When Leo's teenage sister comes to stay, their
cheerful Bohemian life is turned upside down.

Daughters

Several writers have recently explored the mother/dauchter
relationship, but until now, little has been written of the
father/dauchter relationship, one that is perhaps more complex and unresolved. Major American and British writers,
among them Doris Lessing, Mary Gordon, Alice Munro,
Adrienne Rich and Grace Paley, discuss their fathers and
how they shaped their lives.

~ ·. '

,'

i:

1

KRISTINA S. MAREK

Rosemary Curb, Nancy Manahan, eds., Lesbian Nuns: Breaking
Silence (Naiad Press, 19.95)

Attorney and Counselor at Law

We always knew there were lesbian nuns, didn't we? Now,
after centurie'.s of silence, the editors have gathered fifty
"coming out" stories told by lesbian nuns and ex-nuns. Told
with candor, warmth and humor, these women share their discovery of "particular friendships" and their sometimes painful
struggle to remain true to the Church and to themselves.
Many of the women's commitment to achieve humanitarian
goals remains as strong, but has been redirected into the
lesbian/feminist community. Photographs.

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

m

WJ_W

I
I

G

THIS SPACE FOR RENT

Phone 63, -1546

'

$10

EDWINA V. JOHNSON. D.D.S.
COMPREHENSI VE DENTISTRY
4912 S WESTERN
OKLAHOMA CITY . OKLAHOMA 73109
I

OPEN FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE
MON THAU THUR. 6:00 PM · 12·00 MIDNIGHT

SUNOAY 10-10PM

write:

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

I

Janice Radway, Reading the Romance: Women. Patriarchy and
Popular Literature (Univ. of N. Carolina Press, S7.95)
Examines the enormous popularity of romance fiction:
the readers and their romances, the act of reading, the ideal
romance novel, and the patriarchal implications shrouded in
the romances.

Th*' Celibate Woman provides a communication network amonr women who are interested in explorinr new and meaninrful ways of relating to others-including those with whom
they are intimate-rather than taking their affections in a
sexual direction. Published irrerularly, subscriptions are S4
per issue from 3306 Ross Place, N.W., Washington, D.C.

Bell Hooks, Feminist Theory: From Marsin to Center (South
Bnd Preas, S8.00)
Usinc examples that are close to home, Hooks strives
to imasine a feminist movement that encompasses the diversity of all women's experiences. Includes separate chapters on
Black women, men: comrades in opposition, educating women,
and parenting.

Aurora is a marazine containing material about science fiction and fantasy with a decidedly feminist bias. Subscriptions
are SB per year for 3 issues from P.O. Box 1624, Madison,
WI 53704.

Andrea Freud Lowenstein, This Place (Pandora)
An important first novel that recreates daily life in a
woman'• prison throuch the eyes of four women on both
sides of the bars.
Judith L. Weidman, Women Ministers (Harper & Row)
An updated and expanded edition of the collective of
firsthand accounts of clef'IYWomen workinc in parish settings.
Three new chapters discuss spiritual direction, healinc and
spirituality and community ministry.
Lynn V. Andrews, Jyuar Woman: And the Wisdom of the

Butterfly Tree (Harper & Row)
Continuing the story begun in Medicine Woman and carried throush Flight of the Seventh Moon, this sripping account shares Lynn Andrews' onroing quest for inner, knowledce and the power of women as expressed in Native American culture. In Yucatan, she encounters the mysteries of
ancient Mayan eoddesses and discovers the secrets of the
•Jquar Woman.•
Wendy Chavkin, ed., Double Exposure: Women's Health Hazanls on the Job and at Home (New Feminist Library, SlO)
Covers occupations such as nursinc. office work, electronics, farmwork and housework. The essays are rich in research, statistics, law and critical analysis.
Zillah Bisenstein, ed., Capitalist Patriarchy and the Case for
· Socialist Feminism (New Feminist Library, S8.00)
Fourteen provocative papers on the oppression of women in capitalist countries, coupled with three articles on the
subordinate position of women in two communist countries,
Cuba and China.

Ruth Mueller, The Exe of the Child (New Society Publishers,
S7.95)
A hauntinr tale of the future in which a six-year-old
IYP8Y rirl. abandoned on the outskirts of The Sprawl learns
that she can speak Bird. Living atop an abandoned rarbare
dump and communinr with the natural world, she shares in a
knowledre we have always had, yet never truly known.
Joanna Rorers Macy, Despair and Personal Power in the
Nuclear Are (New Society Publishers, $8.95)
A rroundbreaking work for overcominr the •psychic
numbing• which prevents us from coming to terms with the
real threats of nuclear and ecolorical disaster.
.IT'S AVAILABLE

Lesbian and Gav Issues: A Resource Manual for Social Work-

.m is available from the National Asociation of Social Work-

ers,

Inc., 7981 Eastern Ave., Silver Sprincs, MD 20910.

Attorney's Directory, published by Gay .and lesbian Advocates
and Defenders, a leral support rroup operating in the New
Bncland area. For copies, write to P.O. Box 218, Boston, MA
02112.

20008.

Connexions is a quarterly journal specializinr in Bnrlish translations of work from the feminist press outside the U.S.
Subscriptions are S12 from 4228 Telerraph Ave., Oakland,
CA 94609.
Minerva was established as an aid to networkinc for the
many croups and individuals concerned with some aspect of
women and the militar.y. Subscripsions are 130 for 4 issues
from 1101 S. Arlinrton Ridre Rd. #210, Arlinrton, VA 22202.
Women's Sports and Fituess is the official publication of the
Women's Sports Foundation, a non-profit corporation founded
in 1974 by a rroup of women athletes (headed by Billie Jean
Kinr and Donna de Varona) to encourace women of all ages
to participate in sports and work toward equality for women
in sports. Subscriptions are 112 for 12 issues from P.O. Box
612, Holmes, PA 19043.
Aegis provides practical information and resources on rape,
batterinr. child sexual assault, sexual harassment and other
forms of violence against women. Subscriptions are Sl0.50
for 4 issues from P.O. Box 21033, Washington, D.C. 20009.
Trivia publishes current non-academic feminist theory and
scholarship. Subscriptions are SlO for 3 issues from P.O. Box
606, N. Amherst, F.MA 01059.
Cassandra is the ' newsletter of Cassandra, a radical feminist
nurses' network. Subscriptions for 3 issues are S35 for
women in nursing; S25 for those not in nursing from P.O.
Box 341, Williamsville, NY 14221.
I

·'

I

The Natioia.l Women's Health Report provides clear and understandablfj' health care information for women of all aces.
Subscriptions are S18 for the monthly from P.O. Box 25307,
Georretown Stn., Washington, D.C. 20007.
Women in Business is the publication of the American Business Women's Association. Subscriptions are SlO for the bimonthly from 9100 Ward Parkway, P.O. Box 8728, Kansas
City, MO 64114.
The Childbirth Alternatives QuarterlY provides consumeroriented information on alternatives in childbirth, home birth,
midwifery and maternal/child health. Subscriptions are SlO
for 4 issues from Bin 62, SLAC, Stanford, CA 94305.
Women Artists News contains reviews, feature articles, resources of interest to women in the visual arts. Subscriptions are S8.50 for the bimonthly from P.O. Box 3304, Grand
Central Station, New York, NY 10163.
Women & Performance is the first journal to address performance from a feminist perspective. Subscriptions are S9 for
2 issues from 51 W. 4th St., Rm. 300, New York University,
New York, NY 10012.
The Feminist Teacher is a quarterly publication for teachers
from preschool to rraduate school. Subscriptions are S12 frm
Ballantine 442, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405.
Tradeswoman Mgazine is about women working in nontraditional blue collar jobs. Subscriptions are SlO for 4 issues
from P.O. Box 40664, San Francisco, CA 94140.
9-5 Newsletter addresses issues of concern to clerical workers. Subscriptions are S15-S20 for the bimonthly from 1224
Huron Road, Cleveland, OH 44115.



NEWSLETTER

HERLAND
r· e s

0

VOLUME l, NUMBER 7
JULY, 1985

USIC. IDEAS 'BLOOM' AT NWMF
by Marian Hulsey
It was our fifth year to attend the National

Women's Music Festival, held at the University
of Indiana at Bloomington, and, although I have
not attended any other women's music festivals,
I still contend that this one is different.
It is a weekend of "dreams come true";

of
music--three-hour concerts each night, three
hours of Showcase acts in the afternoon (for up
and coming artists), the open mike sessions going on throughout the day and after hours; of
workshops covering spirituality, creativity, wellness, the music industry, all aspects of sober .
support, relationships, third-world issues; of living in a dorm with excellent meals; of seeing
friends you've made at previous festivals and
meeting new ones; of expanding your levels of
consciousness almost to the point of overload.
One workshop I attended explored the question,
"Do I have to be in physical or emotional
pain to be creative?" The consensus was that
we can learn to create from positive rather
th n negative experiences, but that it takes retraining one's work habits. "You must create
from a positive self image," according to workshop leader Toni Herring, a sculptor.
A very metaphysical workshop, led by Jan
Whitely, explored "Reclaiming the Spiritual
Self," stressing that our real strength comes
from accepting diversity. "It is important to
find the things on which we can agree and then
accept diversity," said Whitely, continuing,
"There is no more radical act than taking your
own power, claiming yourself."
Novelist Lee Lynch and poet/teacher/essayist
Judy Grahn led workshops and autographed cop- ,
ies of their books. I attended both sessions of
Grahn's, the first being primarily a poetry reading and discussion of her works.
She paraphrased Sappho as saying that our culture is
what we have when we- have each other and
what we will never have if we don't have each

SISTER
u r c e s
0

BERLAND SISTER RESOURCES , INC.
1630 N.W. 19, Oklah
City, 0 73106

other. Sappho believed (600 B.C.) that death
. was "falling out of the House of the Muse. "
In the lecture hour that followed the readings,
we moved outside (the auditorium was too cold)
and Grahn enlightened the group on many of t he
things we do and like, i.e. the color purple (signifying high spirituality, transformation), t he
amethist, which raises vibrations of spirituality,
opals do the same. Wearing a ring on your little
finger comes naturally because the left little
finger was named for Mercury, a gay god.
Fairies wore green and their favorite day of t he
week was Thursday, their favorite holiday, Halloween.
r.
Certain tribes of American Indians had gay t raditions, in which high offices were held by both
gay ~ud lesbian priests.
There was crossdressi~ and it was considered good fortune to
have shch a person in the family. A child could
choosJ which role to take on (male or female).
From this came the Ceremonial Dyke. The Indians also believed that being gay meant t hat
there were two people in one body and therefore, imbued with special powers. Grahn's books
Another Mother Toyue and The Highest Apple
explore these and other traditions in great detail. She teaches Gay and Lesbian Studies . at
New College of San Francisco, and women's
writing at Mama Bear's
Coffeehouse in
Berkeley/Oakland.
The Festival's Main Stage was opened by
Ronnie Gilbert, accompanied by Adrienne Torf.
They had not rehearsed and it took several
songs for them to get together, but once t hey
did, it was a good segment. The energy level
was not that of the Gilbert/Holly Near concert
in Dallas last fall, but that would have been
asking too much. Gilbert is broadening her musical repertoire, as a result of her tour and r ecord with Near, and she brings such a social
consciousness to the "message" songs she
shares.
(Continued on page 3)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor:

Dear Editor:

We are the world. We are the children. We are the
ones who make a better day. The key word is
"WE," and all of us together make WE. Herland
Sister Resources, Inc., offers women in Oklahoma
and surrounding areas a chance to come together
and form the WE that is needed to make a better
day.

We have come to a time in our society when alcohol c ons umption is not only the norm, it is expected. Social gatherings, parties, picnics, sports events,
etc ., are all "appropriate" places to drink. This letter is intended for those women who feel they consume more alcohol or drugs than they really want
or intend to.
If, when you honestly look at your drinking pattern, you find that you get drunk more often than
you want, or you drink much more than you intended, it is time for you to take charge of your life
and your habits.
If .YOU are experiencing "blackouts," mental lapses
while you are still awake, or if you are experiencing changes in your behavior while drinking that
cause you humiliation or embarrassment, there is
something you can do to help you get rid of your
desire to drink.
My hope is that this letter makes you think and
look deep within for the honesty and courage you
will need to objectively look at yourself and your ·
drinking pattern. If you think there may be a problem, quit for 30 days and see if your attitude and
life improve. If you have tried to quit, but were
unable to, please write to me through Herland.

This is no laughing matter--drinking too much can
kill you, and some throughtful introspection may
save your life.
J. L.
Oklahoma City

HERLAND COFFEEHOUSE
presents
MARY

BLACK

for your entertainment
Friday, July 26, 1985
8:00 p.m.
Herland Sister Resources, Inc.
1630 N.W. 19
Oklahoma City

Publisher:
Editor:
Typesetter:
Advertising:
Circulation:

Herland Sister Resources, Inc.
Elaine Barton
Marian Hulsey
Kris Marek, 521-8434
525

Herland
has grown from Herland Bookstore and
s everal musical events a year, to Herland Sister
Resources, Inc., with a monthly coffeehouse and
musical guest. We now also offer workshops and
special events throughout the year, designed to
help make a better day.
HSR has and will always need your donations, but
equally important, HSR needs your ideas, resources
and attendance. HSR is here to benefit all who
wan~ to make life better and more enjoyable.
In
order for us to do so, we must have your imput.
We need to know what events you would like to
see HSR sponsor.
For us to know what you want, you must tell us.
If you are like most people, you're too busy to sit
down and write a letter, containing your suggestions, and far to busy to mail it. To make your job
, a little easier, listed below are activities in which
you might en.ioy participating. Place a check in t he
blanks that interest you, tear it out and mail it to
Dona Williamsen, HSR, Inc., 1630 N.W. 19 OKC
OK 73106.
.
'
'
I am interested in:
Lesbym 'parents support group
_
_
Wompn's health workshop series
_
Other educational workshops (specify)
_
Special musical/ cultural events (specify)
_
Monthly women's poetry night
_
Okla. women's retreat
_
Travel to music festivals, N.O.W. Conference,
W.A.N.D. Ribbon Wrapping Ceremony; others
(specify)
_
Exhibition for women artists
_
Camping, canoeing, skiing (snow, water), swimming, hiking trips; scuba diving expedition;
softball (game or team); other sports activities (specify)
Your ideas:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-

PLEASE USE ADDITIONAL SHEET IF NEEDED
There are many ways you can contribute to worn"
en's causes and equality. HSR has many needs and
plans for future growth. Your suggestions and ideas
in these areas are needed. Everyone who contributes, whether it be money, time, resources or
ideas, is helping to give women something to be
proud of and a place to go and be relaxed and
free.
Dona W.
OKC

(Continued from page 1)
Ferron f ans were t hrilled by her performance,
but I still don't like her voice. She writes great
music and I know I am in the minority, but her
"Bob Dylan" voice gets in the way of my enjoying her songs.
Linda Tillery has a great voice, but
presence has not loosened up any.
many songs from her new album, and
treat of her set was getting to see
J uli Homi on keyboards. She's a fine
ci n.
June Millington also played
backup.

her stage
She sang
a special
and hear
jazz musiand sang

Fridajr night's emcees were Alexander & Noelle,
a twosome from Chicago who sang at Showcase
last year. They do quite a bit of comedy, but
when they settled down to music, it was very
good.
Unfortunately, Tricia Alexander has
decided to strike out as a solo act.
Saturday's opener was Toshi Reagon, with very
political songs delivered in a good voice, and
excellent guitar playing. She also sang with sever 1 other performers. Reagon (pronounced Reegon) was also a Showcase performer last year.
J une Millington--so nice to look at and listen to.
A little more electronic sound that I like, but a
great performance. June is also a fine producer
of women's records.
Then, the act I was waiting for on this night-Alive!, minus Carolyn Bandy, plus Stacy Rolls on
horns. I am always taken aback by changes in
accompanists, groups, etc., but this is one
addition that really adds a nice sound. This was
t he fourth time I have seen Alive!, plus viewing
them on the Arts Channel's "Women in Jazz"
se ies, and their blend just gets more complimentary. Rhiannon appeared in a dress with a
dropped waistline, and she spent the whole
evening tugging at hip sash. (Performers should
always wear all actual show clothes at several
rehearsals, so they will get used to it. Old trick
from speech training days.)
The evening's emcee was Robin Tyler who also
did a short comedy routine. She used to be my
very favorite, but she was not funny at NWMF
in '83, at least not to me. She was better this
year, although she did use stories she had told
before "Never a Bridesmaid." It seems to me
that she has not kept ·current. She looks different--a little heavier, her hair not as becoming. She had just come from the Southern Festival and was glad to come among those who
were "rustically challenged." Maybe I am the
one who has changed.
Sunday's concert was begun by a new-to-me artist, Beth York, who accompanied vocally and
on piano, The Wright Dance Company. York's
music was very different from the rest of the

festival's performers, but extremely interesting
and beautiful. Her soft, southern accent seemed
reflected in some of the sounds from her piano.
The dancers were also good, seeming to be a
part of the music itself. The dance company is
based in Bloomington and York in Georgia, but
the two expressions were very complimentary.
I cannot say enough about Kate Clinton.
Appearing with a "new" haircut, bleached part
of front and a little squiggle on the side,
looking as provocative as ever, she mesmerized
the audience at an afternoon Showcase, and on
the Sunday night Main Stage. Her humor was as
current as that very afternoon, with, "One of
the · collections going around is for the
Bloomington Land Fund. Yes, we are going t o
bay the University of Indiana. Now, wouldn't
yo~ just love to own a piece of Read Hall?"
One of the funniest things that occurred was
when Kate asked, "How many of you watched
the inauguration?" and not one person in the
500+ audience had seen it. She was flustered,
started laughing, looked at her list and recoyered. She was hot! Although many of her jokes
are even funnier if you were brought up in a
Catholic background, there is enough commonality to make even those jokes funny. She was
introduced as "someone I wish had been my high
school Englishr. teacher." Wouldn't we all!!
Serving as ~mcee and sharing several of her
characters was Judy Sloan, who has revived the
oral tradition · of storytelling. She says, "I gave
birth at~ age 23 to an 85 year old woman,
So~hie, find I think there is a Sophie in each of
us.
:.,
The final act of this year's festival was
Casselberry and Dupree, a duo who performed
last year to enthusiastic fans. They seem to be
concentrating so heavily on their political
essages, acceptable to all when sung but
bordering on too much when spoken between
songs, that they have lost some of the moment um they started a year ago with this particular
f an. They "do" reggae about as well as it can
be done, but somehow their act this year did
not have the appeal it did last June. They advertise that their music comes from many parts
of the America they have experienced as Black
women, but it did not come out sounding like
different experiences, different sounds. I was
sorely disappointed.
Toshi Reagon sang with
them on several numbers.
Maybe it is because there was no concert that
a bsolutely bowled me over as in years past, but
I did not come home with that feeling of emot ional overload.
Maybe that's good. It was
ereat, I learned a lot and I will certainly go
back every year. Maybe I'm just growing up in
this new life.

--~--------------------------------------·--

COMMENTS FROM FESTIVAL NEWGOERS
I was one of several women from Oklahoma who
attended the NWMF in Bloomington. My outlook
may vary from others because this was my f irst
Festival.
I was enthralled. The residents of Bloomington
opened their doors and their community to this
event and the women attending. My lover and I
walked the streets comfortably holding hands. I
have never felt so safe.
The University was beautiful. The one fountain
on campus depicted the "Birth of Venus." . It
seemed as though the University was made for
women. Maybe that's why the Festival fit so
naturally in this environment.
I would recommend this Festival to anyone in
any fiQancial status. It cost me less than $200
for a full pass, dorm for three days, gas
(divided among four persons), food and t he
experience of a lifetime.
Craftswomen from all over the country were
present with sliding scale prices for jewelry,
clothes, crafts, books, periodicals, etc.
The musicians and comedians were all at th ir
best. I saw for the first time June Millington
Alive!, Ronnie Gilbert, Robin Tyler and many
others. They also interacted easily with folks
during the entire Festival.
Next year, consider this Festival for a few days
of entertainment for yourself and family. You
may want to contact Herland about getting in a
· caravan and pooling resources.
See Ya There ...
Laura Choate
We drove and drove and drove. Then it happened. Many of my friends had told me that it
was an experience I would long remember; something for which I would plan year after year.
We were in Bloomington, Indiana, at the National Women's Music Festival.
The campus was breathtaking! Trees grew so
tall that grass flourished under them. Trees of
all kinds reached up to the clouds. A bjOok ran

Cassia A. Mealor, M.S.

down, around and through the campus. Wooden
bridges let you cross at will, built strong and
enduring. Squirrels, chipmonks and rabbits call it
their .home and their playground. I stood in
calm serenity, breathless·~
It only seems natural that the NWMF be held

there. Women of all races and nations gathered
in a spirit of peace and love to share a part of
themselves.
Not only were we all entertained by such greats
as Ronnie Gilbert, Ferron, June Millington,
Alive!, Robin Tyler, Kate Clinton, Casselberry
and DuPree, and Linda Tillery, but many artists
also held workshops. We also had the good fort une of meeting and speaking with the artists.
The NWMF is a place of learning and of sharing ourselves and what we have learned. Like
the surroundings, the women blended together in
harmony.
T e NWMF is held every year and should be
included on everyone's priority list. You will
leave exhausted and yet filled with a warm
glow that will light your dreams until the next
year.
Dona W.
OKC

when i think of comfort or of love
your ha?,ds ·are the only hands
and youf breasts, the only breasts
the musi c of your voice is the wings
of my spirit
and the many lights in your eyes weave
my days together day
after day after
day and
your face is home
thistle
Fayetteville, AR

HER LAND SISTER RESOURCES , I NC.
. .. a specialty center for women

Counselor
Resource Librar y

Monthl y Ne w sletter

Educational Publi c Program s

Books. Mus ic. Art Sales

Cultural Events

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

w.

(405) 524-3017

Counseling and Referral s

SAT. 10-6, SUN . 1- 6
1630 N.W. 19 ST., OKLAHOMA CITY

ACCIDENT DIVIDES MINNESOTA FAMILY
For four years, K.T. and S.K., 28, lived together in a lesbian relationship. They bought a house on Briggs Lake near
St. Cloud, MN, and took out life insurance on each other.
Then, on Nov. 13, 1983, their lives changed suddenly when
S. suffered brain damage and was left quadriplegic after a
car accident, caused by a drunken driver. Now, their relationship and who should supervise S's care is at the center
of a hotly disputed legal battle between K. and S's parents.
The parents questioned K's daily involvement with S's care
and wanted to limit her visiting hours, so K. filed for auardianship. K. then "came out" to S's parents and the dispute
became embittered. S's father denied his daughter's lesbianism and accused K. of being "sick" and "crazy." A Sherburne County District Court judse later awarded custody to
S's parents, with the provision that K. be granted "equal
access" to visitation and medical staff consultations, and
that S. remain in St. Cloud. During this time, K. taught S.
to communicate with an electric typewriter. After lying
comatose for four months, she seemed to be making remarkable progress towards a partial recovery, In September, the
family filed successfully to have her moved to Duluth,
where she quickly regressed. K. continues to fight to get S.
moved back to St. Cloud.
-from Equal Times, reprinted in L.C., Vol. 8, No. 1
PROTECTING OURSELVES AND OUR LOVERS
In reference to (the above news item), K. obviously believes·
that the loving doesn't stop when the going gets tough!
Good for you, K. If put in that position, I can ontY pray
that I would have that kind of courage and patience.

knowing that you wanted to be cremated with your ashes
spread amonr some place special to the two of you, but
having no 8ay if your parents want a traditional burial
somewhere else.
Why take a chance? Be sure that your partner won't be
left with nothing, except for maybe a few unpaid bills for
the property that may end up going to your family.

Bozeman, MT., from L.C., Vol. 8, No. 1
FORESIGHT CAN BE 20/20. TOO
I would like to comment on the above articles. I live in
one of the most conservative states in the nation. My
family is old school Southern Baptist. If I were to be
incapacitated or die, they would probably react very
similarly to the above.
I

I do not want to be kept alive by artificial means, nor do I
want to be in a nursing home, should I not be able to care
for my own needs.
I strongly urge all Oklahoma lesbians to look into a Will
and a Living Will and name the person of your choice as
~cutor of your estate and your living needs. You may
feel you do not have enough personal possessions to warrant a will. Take a few moments to inventory these things
and what your personal needs are. You may find a great
value to your peace of mind is just as important as making
sure things are taken care of to your satisfaction rather
than your family's.
Laura Choate
OKC

A lot of this grief and at least some of the $30,000 in legal bills that K. has incurred so far could have been avoided if the wimmin had had a legal document stating the desire to be responsible for each other in case of an illness
or accident. You probably have furniture, vehicles, land, a
home, etc., that have been purchased together. If both your
names aren't on the title, or if the purchase isn't made
through a joint checking account, and there is not a will
stating that your partner is entitled to that property
through partnership--it can end up going to your family.
Laws vary from state to state, but a "Right to Die" document is becoming more popular every day. You need to let
your family know how you feel about being hooked up to a
machine. Othei-wise, all your partner can do is watch your
death being prolonged. Name a contingent executor, someone
who knows both of you and will speak for you in case the
tragedy involves you both. She can fight for your right to
die because you have given her that power. Sounds rather
messy, right? Well, it happens every day, in every lifestyle.
We are considered single wimmin, so we need to let our
families, friends, lawyers and doctors know how we feel on
legal matters. Without a "will," the responsibility of a single
womyn belongs to the parents, including disposal of the
body. Think about how helpless your partner would feel,

~

SHATZY WATSON

.,~ ~._of' ~e:,

~-~ ~~ ~~
~\; ~' ~~~ p 0 BOX 10472
.A~ ~"
MIDWEST CITY
l\v-~~..:OKLA.
73140
~ ~o
PHONE: 737-7487
•

I

I

,

(

ALPHA PAINTING
i'

Commercial - Residential
900 N. FRETZ
EDMOND, OK 73034

P:D. REYNOLDS
( 405) 341 ·9492

PAULA HARDEMAN
( 405) 524·0868

• E•tate Liquidations • Appraiaau -

1008 N. May
942-0124

C5olb

After 6 P.M.
524-3073

8Hurr

[u.etnm alrwrlry & lrnthrr flrsign
\Iµ .l..ppoinhnrnl ©nlµ'

1403' 323 -83 .:!4

1507 N.11. 281~ @itrrrl
~kla~oma C:itµ, ©klahoma i'Jl06

HERL ND NEWS
It's official--Herland is very pleased to announce
our non-profit status under section 501(c)(3) has
been approved. Thanks to Kris Marek, our legal
counselor, for her outstanding work and many donat ed hours. Over the past six months we have
done the groundwork for an organizational structure
which should prove accessible and responsive to
the public; flexible and functional enough to provide a base for service for many years to come.
The support from our community has allowed us to
maintain activities and expand. Thanks to everyone
who supports our programs with your good words,
smiling faces, suggestions and criticisms. If you
haven't already done so, consider getting involved.
We need you.
To our newsletter readers, beginning with the last
issue, we added "Address Correction Requested: Return Postage Guaranteed." For each return we are
charged $.30, in addition to the 12.5 cents initial
postage. To insure your newsletter reaching the
right place, please let us know if you move. You
won't miss a single issue and you will save us
money.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS

NEW

ADDRESS~~~~~~~~~-

OLD ADDRESS_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

DATE(S) EFFECTIVE_ _ _ _ _ __

WOMEN EXPLORE DISCRIMINATION ISSUES
The following outline is taken from the homophobia workshop
conducted by Suzanne Pharr, Director, Arkansas Women's
Project, May 4, 1985.
Manifestations of Internalized Homophobia:
Aversion to nurturance, of yourself and of others, · f
, ,,::,.:/ ., _, and from others to yourself
Self-critical and low self-esteem
Pear and terror (of bodily harm, economic, loss of children,
family, friends ... )
Self-oppression and oppressing others
Passing as straight and pretending to be eomone you're not
Self-silencing
Destructive relationships
Additions - drugs, alcohol, food, etc.
Suicide
Pear of success
Settling for less
Unrealistic demands of ourselves and of others
New stereotypes/reverse stereotypes (PC,PI, butch, femme,
·etc.)
Invalidation of our social roles (in caretaking professions)
because we're lesbians
Owing society more than our share/Seeking outside permission to live
Horizontal hostility toward each other and internal hostility
toward ourselves are misdirected anger
Avoidance of intimacy
Cutting ourselves off from straight women
Internal (community) prejudice
Withholding support for each other because of our diversity
Depression and stress, displaying protective body language
Statements Whicli are True F'or All Lesbians:
We are very' diverse
We have a ~ame sex orientation
We are all women
~, ·of us live ordinary lives
We icJentify with other lesbians (?)
We ~ave commonlities with other women
We iill live in a homophobic world
Solutions to the Problems of Internalized Homophobia:

HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES, INC.
announces
our next Collective meeting
Open to Public
j.11\..P- -<,....., ,..-~c

.1

6:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 1•1.•°"'"" Q~ 55 \\ ~\.P"
at Herland, 1630 N.W. 19
Call 524-3017, 946-5395

TERRY COCON, Representative

A.LWIWAMS
1330 N. Classen Blvd.,
ilG-5
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(405) 232-9806
A.L. llLLIAMS II A CO-OP OF INDEPENDENT BUllNEISMEN AND ~OMEN
MARltfTINC LIFE INSURANCE A•D OTHER FINANCIAL PROOUCH
1..,,~acnt11"I Maa.uclw•f' t U
Lil• Comp.a.ny
le&~

''*"'"''' *

OU.en, A.U.,ua

~111

Learn our lineage-either the line of women in our family,
or our lesbian heritage
Talk about how we would like to be, as a community and
interpersonally
Set personal, freemg goals/Push the limits (of our
expression of ourselves as lesbians)
Build family, community, coalition. Create HOME: safety and
acceptance
Establish a lesbian presence
Build strong, healing, nurturing relationships/ friendships
Create space for ourselves
Organize events to bring lesbians together--events that af.
firm us
Do public education/internal education
Form support groups/political action groups
Build coalitions with other oppressed groups-connected oppressions
Re-tribalize, seek lesbian role models
Share our stories
Share energy, resources, skills, needs...
Create/reclaim rituals and celebrations to meet our needs
for support and acknowledgement
Find allies and supporters
Rehearse for facing homophobia
Self-educate ourselves about our diversity
Develop strategies for defense

ACTIONS FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
There's plenty happening in commemoration of
the 40th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima
and Nagasaki. Large activities in which you can
pa11ticipate include: 1) the Pantex Pligrimage,
August 3-9, an encampment outside the Pantex
Plant, contact Nathaniel Batchelder at 524-5577 or
Rex Friend at 232-2512 for information; 2) The
August Desert Witness, a non-violent witness at the
Nevada Nuclear Weapons Test Site near Las Vegas,
contact 702-646-4814; 3) The Ribbon Wrapping of
the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Sunday,
August 4, contact Lillian Pawlik at 514-5577. (from
Scissortail)
CONFERENCES
Southern Women: Portraits in Diversity. Tulane University, New Orleans. September 26-28, 1985 ... with
Florence Howe and Toni Cade Bambara. For inform tion, call the Newcomb Women's Center, 504-8655238, or write Beth Willingen, Newcomb Women's
Center, Newcomb College, New Orleans, LA 70118
New Jewish Agenda National Conference, Ann ·
Arbor, Michigan, July 18-21, 1985 ... will be addressing the "most troubling issues of our time" 'in a
progre~sive way. For information, write 149 Church
St., #2-N, New York, NY 10007
Women and Technology, Portland Oregon, August 3,
1985... will focus on workplace technology such as
electronics, information processing and telecommunications. For information, write P.O. Box 40244,·
Portland, OR 97240
Racism in the Americas, Cape Cod, August 21-25,
1985 ... sponsored by the Union for Radical Political
Economics. For information, write URPE Conference, 155 West 23rd St., 12th Fl., New York, NY
10011 (212-691-5722)

WHYPPERWILLOW WOMEN SEEK OTHERS
Wbypperwillow is 320 acres of meadows and woods,
with seasonal springs and a creek running through
the middle of the land to the waterfalls. There is
one central year-round well, no electricity, no
plumbing. One main rough and rocky road leads
down into the hollow and lots of new and old
paths can be found. Access may deter some. While
offering a sense of "other worldness" in her isolation, Wbypperwillow is only about 7 miles from Eureka Springs and 35 miles from Fayetteville, Arkansas. Both offer opportuniti
for employment and
city socializing.
Wbypperwillow is seeking other wymin to join her.
No specific "rules" or "conditions" exist that one
must complete to be eligible for membership. We
ea ch have our own interests and needs regarding

this land. We feel a magic here and look forward
to the journeys of other wY111in as they spiral their
ways here and home.
Wbypperwillow Wymin, Route 1, Box 198, Eureka
Springs, AR 72632
WOMEN'S PROGRAMS AT ROSE STATE COLLEGE
The Office of Women's Programs at Rose State
College, 6420 S.E. 15th Street, Midwest City,
seeks to provide a support system for students new
to college or those re-entering the academic environment. Special services provided include counseling on class schedules and role conflicts, information on study skills and career selections, and special seminars and classes designed to meet the
needs of women on campus.
For additional information, contact the Office of
Women's Programs, Administration Bldg., Rm. 106,
or call 733-7389.
A CLOSER LOOK AT "DOUBLE TALK"
Review by Sara Miller
Singer/songwriter Gayle Marie has released her
second album, "Double Talk." For those already
enchant ·e d by Gayle's lyrical voice and mellow love
songs, you won't be disappointed, but watch
out--"cause you're headed for a pretty wild ride."
1'

"Double Talk" 'i ncludes that blues-ballad "Love Triangle" and "Love's Sweet Song," but Gayle has also
wandered into the land of funk and jazz. The title
cut is an· upbeat cynical look at the double talk
that spotfts 'from the mouths of our nation's leaders.

f

...

"Versatile" is the adjective most often used to describe Gayle Marie. She is able to sing her love
songs with a poignant simplicity that can send shivers dancing up and down your spine, but then she
shifts into high gear and it's your feet that are
dancing.
·
Take Gayle's dare:
... come a little bit closer
... can't you taste the excitement?" You won't
regret it and that's not double talk!
"Double Talk" available on record or cassette order
from Herland, $8.98

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

BOOKS OP INTEREST
Fran Peavey, Heart Politics (New Society, 19.95)

J udy Grahn, Another Mother Tongue (Beacon Press, 116.95)

Teacher, comedian and social change catalyst Peavey of the
"Atomic Comics" tells of her encounters
with the fears and hopes we all carry inside us. Hers is a
journey of connections-with elderly tenants facing eviction
from their residential hotel, with alcoholics and street people
loncing for self-respect, with ordinary Americans awakening
to the threat of nuclear war, with Indians dedicated to
clean.inc up the Ganges River, with prostitutes in Banskok
worried about their children's education, with civilians caucht
in the tragedy of the Middle Bast conflict. Her tales show
us that we can respond to the critical issues of our lives
with humanity and humor.

Why is lavendar a 1ay color?

Who were the "manly hearted
women" of the Sioux Indians? What is the oricin of the word
bulldyke? Weaving tales of mythology, the occult, witch rituals and Indian tribal customs with her own personal history,
Grahn explores the roots of 1ay culture from ancient times
to today. Her own stories (in the military, in the gay bars of
the fifties) told to the memory of her first lover are witty
and startingly honest. (See NWMP article, page 1)

intemationally-to:ur~ng

Louise Brdich, Love Medicine (HRW, 113.95)
Brdich weaves this tale about the Kashpaws and the Samartines on and around a North Dakota reservation from 19341984. The lives and loves of this exiled people are keenly
and tenderly recreated.

Lisa Alther, Other Women (Knopf, 115.95)
Caroline Kelley discovers that Hannah, her confident and
successful therapist, is as strong, stubborn, determined-and
civing--as herself. If you liked Judith Roamer's AYIY!!!. you'll
find Other Women as compelling, but more fun.
Marge Piercy,

My

Also by Brdich, Jacklight, 16.95
Brdich, a Native American woman whose depiction of the
Midwest is broucht to life with keen vision; her poems conjure passion and macic.

Mother's Body (Knopf, 17.95)

Gloria Naylor, Linden Hills (Ticknor & Fields, S16.95)

Marge Piercy's tenth book of poetry features a powerful
sequence of poems to her mother. Poems of Jewish identity,
of nature and themes central to women's lives find the beautiful in the everyday.

Naylor, whiner of the American Book Award for The Women
of Brewster Place (14.95), returns with a novel about a
middle-class black community. "Naylor is not afraid to grapple with life's big subjects: sex, birth, love, death, lrief. Her
talent 1lows like beaten copper."
Washioston Post Book
World

Janet Kauffman, Places in the World a Woman Could Walk
(Penguin, 14.95)
Janet Kauffman's writing is bold, sparse and at times sensuous. _To quote from one selection, "My Mother Surrounded
Me," each story is a "hand-held charm." This collection of
short stories is now out in paper.
Ursula Owens, ed.,
(Pantheon, 17.95)

Fathers:

Reflections

by

Mary Renault, The Friendly Young Ladies (Random House,
16.95)
Originally published as The Middle Mist in 1945, Renault
wrote this bold and forthright novel at a time when few lesbian novels were ';in print. The story is of two modem young
women, Helen and Leo, in thirties London, who have been
living and loving for several years on a houseboat on the
Thames. When Leo's teenage sister comes to stay, their
cheerful Bohemian life is turned upside down.

Daughters

Several writers have recently explored the mother/dauchter
relationship, but until now, little has been written of the
father/dauchter relationship, one that is perhaps more complex and unresolved. Major American and British writers,
among them Doris Lessing, Mary Gordon, Alice Munro,
Adrienne Rich and Grace Paley, discuss their fathers and
how they shaped their lives.

~ ·. '

,'

i:

1

KRISTINA S. MAREK

Rosemary Curb, Nancy Manahan, eds., Lesbian Nuns: Breaking
Silence (Naiad Press, 19.95)

Attorney and Counselor at Law

We always knew there were lesbian nuns, didn't we? Now,
after centurie'.s of silence, the editors have gathered fifty
"coming out" stories told by lesbian nuns and ex-nuns. Told
with candor, warmth and humor, these women share their discovery of "particular friendships" and their sometimes painful
struggle to remain true to the Church and to themselves.
Many of the women's commitment to achieve humanitarian
goals remains as strong, but has been redirected into the
lesbian/feminist community. Photographs.

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

m

WJ_W

I
I

G

THIS SPACE FOR RENT

Phone 63, -1546

'

$10

EDWINA V. JOHNSON. D.D.S.
COMPREHENSI VE DENTISTRY
4912 S WESTERN
OKLAHOMA CITY . OKLAHOMA 73109
I

OPEN FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE
MON THAU THUR. 6:00 PM · 12·00 MIDNIGHT

SUNOAY 10-10PM

write:

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

I

Janice Radway, Reading the Romance: Women. Patriarchy and
Popular Literature (Univ. of N. Carolina Press, S7.95)
Examines the enormous popularity of romance fiction:
the readers and their romances, the act of reading, the ideal
romance novel, and the patriarchal implications shrouded in
the romances.

Th*' Celibate Woman provides a communication network amonr women who are interested in explorinr new and meaninrful ways of relating to others-including those with whom
they are intimate-rather than taking their affections in a
sexual direction. Published irrerularly, subscriptions are S4
per issue from 3306 Ross Place, N.W., Washington, D.C.

Bell Hooks, Feminist Theory: From Marsin to Center (South
Bnd Preas, S8.00)
Usinc examples that are close to home, Hooks strives
to imasine a feminist movement that encompasses the diversity of all women's experiences. Includes separate chapters on
Black women, men: comrades in opposition, educating women,
and parenting.

Aurora is a marazine containing material about science fiction and fantasy with a decidedly feminist bias. Subscriptions
are SB per year for 3 issues from P.O. Box 1624, Madison,
WI 53704.

Andrea Freud Lowenstein, This Place (Pandora)
An important first novel that recreates daily life in a
woman'• prison throuch the eyes of four women on both
sides of the bars.
Judith L. Weidman, Women Ministers (Harper & Row)
An updated and expanded edition of the collective of
firsthand accounts of clef'IYWomen workinc in parish settings.
Three new chapters discuss spiritual direction, healinc and
spirituality and community ministry.
Lynn V. Andrews, Jyuar Woman: And the Wisdom of the

Butterfly Tree (Harper & Row)
Continuing the story begun in Medicine Woman and carried throush Flight of the Seventh Moon, this sripping account shares Lynn Andrews' onroing quest for inner, knowledce and the power of women as expressed in Native American culture. In Yucatan, she encounters the mysteries of
ancient Mayan eoddesses and discovers the secrets of the
•Jquar Woman.•
Wendy Chavkin, ed., Double Exposure: Women's Health Hazanls on the Job and at Home (New Feminist Library, SlO)
Covers occupations such as nursinc. office work, electronics, farmwork and housework. The essays are rich in research, statistics, law and critical analysis.
Zillah Bisenstein, ed., Capitalist Patriarchy and the Case for
· Socialist Feminism (New Feminist Library, S8.00)
Fourteen provocative papers on the oppression of women in capitalist countries, coupled with three articles on the
subordinate position of women in two communist countries,
Cuba and China.

Ruth Mueller, The Exe of the Child (New Society Publishers,
S7.95)
A hauntinr tale of the future in which a six-year-old
IYP8Y rirl. abandoned on the outskirts of The Sprawl learns
that she can speak Bird. Living atop an abandoned rarbare
dump and communinr with the natural world, she shares in a
knowledre we have always had, yet never truly known.
Joanna Rorers Macy, Despair and Personal Power in the
Nuclear Are (New Society Publishers, $8.95)
A rroundbreaking work for overcominr the •psychic
numbing• which prevents us from coming to terms with the
real threats of nuclear and ecolorical disaster.
.IT'S AVAILABLE

Lesbian and Gav Issues: A Resource Manual for Social Work-

.m is available from the National Asociation of Social Work-

ers,

Inc., 7981 Eastern Ave., Silver Sprincs, MD 20910.

Attorney's Directory, published by Gay .and lesbian Advocates
and Defenders, a leral support rroup operating in the New
Bncland area. For copies, write to P.O. Box 218, Boston, MA
02112.

20008.

Connexions is a quarterly journal specializinr in Bnrlish translations of work from the feminist press outside the U.S.
Subscriptions are S12 from 4228 Telerraph Ave., Oakland,
CA 94609.
Minerva was established as an aid to networkinc for the
many croups and individuals concerned with some aspect of
women and the militar.y. Subscripsions are 130 for 4 issues
from 1101 S. Arlinrton Ridre Rd. #210, Arlinrton, VA 22202.
Women's Sports and Fituess is the official publication of the
Women's Sports Foundation, a non-profit corporation founded
in 1974 by a rroup of women athletes (headed by Billie Jean
Kinr and Donna de Varona) to encourace women of all ages
to participate in sports and work toward equality for women
in sports. Subscriptions are 112 for 12 issues from P.O. Box
612, Holmes, PA 19043.
Aegis provides practical information and resources on rape,
batterinr. child sexual assault, sexual harassment and other
forms of violence against women. Subscriptions are Sl0.50
for 4 issues from P.O. Box 21033, Washington, D.C. 20009.
Trivia publishes current non-academic feminist theory and
scholarship. Subscriptions are SlO for 3 issues from P.O. Box
606, N. Amherst, F.MA 01059.
Cassandra is the ' newsletter of Cassandra, a radical feminist
nurses' network. Subscriptions for 3 issues are S35 for
women in nursing; S25 for those not in nursing from P.O.
Box 341, Williamsville, NY 14221.
I

·'

I

The Natioia.l Women's Health Report provides clear and understandablfj' health care information for women of all aces.
Subscriptions are S18 for the monthly from P.O. Box 25307,
Georretown Stn., Washington, D.C. 20007.
Women in Business is the publication of the American Business Women's Association. Subscriptions are SlO for the bimonthly from 9100 Ward Parkway, P.O. Box 8728, Kansas
City, MO 64114.
The Childbirth Alternatives QuarterlY provides consumeroriented information on alternatives in childbirth, home birth,
midwifery and maternal/child health. Subscriptions are SlO
for 4 issues from Bin 62, SLAC, Stanford, CA 94305.
Women Artists News contains reviews, feature articles, resources of interest to women in the visual arts. Subscriptions are S8.50 for the bimonthly from P.O. Box 3304, Grand
Central Station, New York, NY 10163.
Women & Performance is the first journal to address performance from a feminist perspective. Subscriptions are S9 for
2 issues from 51 W. 4th St., Rm. 300, New York University,
New York, NY 10012.
The Feminist Teacher is a quarterly publication for teachers
from preschool to rraduate school. Subscriptions are S12 frm
Ballantine 442, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405.
Tradeswoman Mgazine is about women working in nontraditional blue collar jobs. Subscriptions are SlO for 4 issues
from P.O. Box 40664, San Francisco, CA 94140.
9-5 Newsletter addresses issues of concern to clerical workers. Subscriptions are S15-S20 for the bimonthly from 1224
Huron Road, Cleveland, OH 44115.



NEWSLETTER

HERLAND
r· e s

0

VOLUME l, NUMBER 7
JULY, 1985

USIC. IDEAS 'BLOOM' AT NWMF
by Marian Hulsey
It was our fifth year to attend the National

Women's Music Festival, held at the University
of Indiana at Bloomington, and, although I have
not attended any other women's music festivals,
I still contend that this one is different.
It is a weekend of "dreams come true";

of
music--three-hour concerts each night, three
hours of Showcase acts in the afternoon (for up
and coming artists), the open mike sessions going on throughout the day and after hours; of
workshops covering spirituality, creativity, wellness, the music industry, all aspects of sober .
support, relationships, third-world issues; of living in a dorm with excellent meals; of seeing
friends you've made at previous festivals and
meeting new ones; of expanding your levels of
consciousness almost to the point of overload.
One workshop I attended explored the question,
"Do I have to be in physical or emotional
pain to be creative?" The consensus was that
we can learn to create from positive rather
th n negative experiences, but that it takes retraining one's work habits. "You must create
from a positive self image," according to workshop leader Toni Herring, a sculptor.
A very metaphysical workshop, led by Jan
Whitely, explored "Reclaiming the Spiritual
Self," stressing that our real strength comes
from accepting diversity. "It is important to
find the things on which we can agree and then
accept diversity," said Whitely, continuing,
"There is no more radical act than taking your
own power, claiming yourself."
Novelist Lee Lynch and poet/teacher/essayist
Judy Grahn led workshops and autographed cop- ,
ies of their books. I attended both sessions of
Grahn's, the first being primarily a poetry reading and discussion of her works.
She paraphrased Sappho as saying that our culture is
what we have when we- have each other and
what we will never have if we don't have each

SISTER
u r c e s
0

BERLAND SISTER RESOURCES , INC.
1630 N.W. 19, Oklah
City, 0 73106

other. Sappho believed (600 B.C.) that death
. was "falling out of the House of the Muse. "
In the lecture hour that followed the readings,
we moved outside (the auditorium was too cold)
and Grahn enlightened the group on many of t he
things we do and like, i.e. the color purple (signifying high spirituality, transformation), t he
amethist, which raises vibrations of spirituality,
opals do the same. Wearing a ring on your little
finger comes naturally because the left little
finger was named for Mercury, a gay god.
Fairies wore green and their favorite day of t he
week was Thursday, their favorite holiday, Halloween.
r.
Certain tribes of American Indians had gay t raditions, in which high offices were held by both
gay ~ud lesbian priests.
There was crossdressi~ and it was considered good fortune to
have shch a person in the family. A child could
choosJ which role to take on (male or female).
From this came the Ceremonial Dyke. The Indians also believed that being gay meant t hat
there were two people in one body and therefore, imbued with special powers. Grahn's books
Another Mother Toyue and The Highest Apple
explore these and other traditions in great detail. She teaches Gay and Lesbian Studies . at
New College of San Francisco, and women's
writing at Mama Bear's
Coffeehouse in
Berkeley/Oakland.
The Festival's Main Stage was opened by
Ronnie Gilbert, accompanied by Adrienne Torf.
They had not rehearsed and it took several
songs for them to get together, but once t hey
did, it was a good segment. The energy level
was not that of the Gilbert/Holly Near concert
in Dallas last fall, but that would have been
asking too much. Gilbert is broadening her musical repertoire, as a result of her tour and r ecord with Near, and she brings such a social
consciousness to the "message" songs she
shares.
(Continued on page 3)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor:

Dear Editor:

We are the world. We are the children. We are the
ones who make a better day. The key word is
"WE," and all of us together make WE. Herland
Sister Resources, Inc., offers women in Oklahoma
and surrounding areas a chance to come together
and form the WE that is needed to make a better
day.

We have come to a time in our society when alcohol c ons umption is not only the norm, it is expected. Social gatherings, parties, picnics, sports events,
etc ., are all "appropriate" places to drink. This letter is intended for those women who feel they consume more alcohol or drugs than they really want
or intend to.
If, when you honestly look at your drinking pattern, you find that you get drunk more often than
you want, or you drink much more than you intended, it is time for you to take charge of your life
and your habits.
If .YOU are experiencing "blackouts," mental lapses
while you are still awake, or if you are experiencing changes in your behavior while drinking that
cause you humiliation or embarrassment, there is
something you can do to help you get rid of your
desire to drink.
My hope is that this letter makes you think and
look deep within for the honesty and courage you
will need to objectively look at yourself and your ·
drinking pattern. If you think there may be a problem, quit for 30 days and see if your attitude and
life improve. If you have tried to quit, but were
unable to, please write to me through Herland.

This is no laughing matter--drinking too much can
kill you, and some throughtful introspection may
save your life.
J. L.
Oklahoma City

HERLAND COFFEEHOUSE
presents
MARY

BLACK

for your entertainment
Friday, July 26, 1985
8:00 p.m.
Herland Sister Resources, Inc.
1630 N.W. 19
Oklahoma City

Publisher:
Editor:
Typesetter:
Advertising:
Circulation:

Herland Sister Resources, Inc.
Elaine Barton
Marian Hulsey
Kris Marek, 521-8434
525

Herland
has grown from Herland Bookstore and
s everal musical events a year, to Herland Sister
Resources, Inc., with a monthly coffeehouse and
musical guest. We now also offer workshops and
special events throughout the year, designed to
help make a better day.
HSR has and will always need your donations, but
equally important, HSR needs your ideas, resources
and attendance. HSR is here to benefit all who
wan~ to make life better and more enjoyable.
In
order for us to do so, we must have your imput.
We need to know what events you would like to
see HSR sponsor.
For us to know what you want, you must tell us.
If you are like most people, you're too busy to sit
down and write a letter, containing your suggestions, and far to busy to mail it. To make your job
, a little easier, listed below are activities in which
you might en.ioy participating. Place a check in t he
blanks that interest you, tear it out and mail it to
Dona Williamsen, HSR, Inc., 1630 N.W. 19 OKC
OK 73106.
.
'
'
I am interested in:
Lesbym 'parents support group
_
_
Wompn's health workshop series
_
Other educational workshops (specify)
_
Special musical/ cultural events (specify)
_
Monthly women's poetry night
_
Okla. women's retreat
_
Travel to music festivals, N.O.W. Conference,
W.A.N.D. Ribbon Wrapping Ceremony; others
(specify)
_
Exhibition for women artists
_
Camping, canoeing, skiing (snow, water), swimming, hiking trips; scuba diving expedition;
softball (game or team); other sports activities (specify)
Your ideas:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-

PLEASE USE ADDITIONAL SHEET IF NEEDED
There are many ways you can contribute to worn"
en's causes and equality. HSR has many needs and
plans for future growth. Your suggestions and ideas
in these areas are needed. Everyone who contributes, whether it be money, time, resources or
ideas, is helping to give women something to be
proud of and a place to go and be relaxed and
free.
Dona W.
OKC

(Continued from page 1)
Ferron f ans were t hrilled by her performance,
but I still don't like her voice. She writes great
music and I know I am in the minority, but her
"Bob Dylan" voice gets in the way of my enjoying her songs.
Linda Tillery has a great voice, but
presence has not loosened up any.
many songs from her new album, and
treat of her set was getting to see
J uli Homi on keyboards. She's a fine
ci n.
June Millington also played
backup.

her stage
She sang
a special
and hear
jazz musiand sang

Fridajr night's emcees were Alexander & Noelle,
a twosome from Chicago who sang at Showcase
last year. They do quite a bit of comedy, but
when they settled down to music, it was very
good.
Unfortunately, Tricia Alexander has
decided to strike out as a solo act.
Saturday's opener was Toshi Reagon, with very
political songs delivered in a good voice, and
excellent guitar playing. She also sang with sever 1 other performers. Reagon (pronounced Reegon) was also a Showcase performer last year.
J une Millington--so nice to look at and listen to.
A little more electronic sound that I like, but a
great performance. June is also a fine producer
of women's records.
Then, the act I was waiting for on this night-Alive!, minus Carolyn Bandy, plus Stacy Rolls on
horns. I am always taken aback by changes in
accompanists, groups, etc., but this is one
addition that really adds a nice sound. This was
t he fourth time I have seen Alive!, plus viewing
them on the Arts Channel's "Women in Jazz"
se ies, and their blend just gets more complimentary. Rhiannon appeared in a dress with a
dropped waistline, and she spent the whole
evening tugging at hip sash. (Performers should
always wear all actual show clothes at several
rehearsals, so they will get used to it. Old trick
from speech training days.)
The evening's emcee was Robin Tyler who also
did a short comedy routine. She used to be my
very favorite, but she was not funny at NWMF
in '83, at least not to me. She was better this
year, although she did use stories she had told
before "Never a Bridesmaid." It seems to me
that she has not kept ·current. She looks different--a little heavier, her hair not as becoming. She had just come from the Southern Festival and was glad to come among those who
were "rustically challenged." Maybe I am the
one who has changed.
Sunday's concert was begun by a new-to-me artist, Beth York, who accompanied vocally and
on piano, The Wright Dance Company. York's
music was very different from the rest of the

festival's performers, but extremely interesting
and beautiful. Her soft, southern accent seemed
reflected in some of the sounds from her piano.
The dancers were also good, seeming to be a
part of the music itself. The dance company is
based in Bloomington and York in Georgia, but
the two expressions were very complimentary.
I cannot say enough about Kate Clinton.
Appearing with a "new" haircut, bleached part
of front and a little squiggle on the side,
looking as provocative as ever, she mesmerized
the audience at an afternoon Showcase, and on
the Sunday night Main Stage. Her humor was as
current as that very afternoon, with, "One of
the · collections going around is for the
Bloomington Land Fund. Yes, we are going t o
bay the University of Indiana. Now, wouldn't
yo~ just love to own a piece of Read Hall?"
One of the funniest things that occurred was
when Kate asked, "How many of you watched
the inauguration?" and not one person in the
500+ audience had seen it. She was flustered,
started laughing, looked at her list and recoyered. She was hot! Although many of her jokes
are even funnier if you were brought up in a
Catholic background, there is enough commonality to make even those jokes funny. She was
introduced as "someone I wish had been my high
school Englishr. teacher." Wouldn't we all!!
Serving as ~mcee and sharing several of her
characters was Judy Sloan, who has revived the
oral tradition · of storytelling. She says, "I gave
birth at~ age 23 to an 85 year old woman,
So~hie, find I think there is a Sophie in each of
us.
:.,
The final act of this year's festival was
Casselberry and Dupree, a duo who performed
last year to enthusiastic fans. They seem to be
concentrating so heavily on their political
essages, acceptable to all when sung but
bordering on too much when spoken between
songs, that they have lost some of the moment um they started a year ago with this particular
f an. They "do" reggae about as well as it can
be done, but somehow their act this year did
not have the appeal it did last June. They advertise that their music comes from many parts
of the America they have experienced as Black
women, but it did not come out sounding like
different experiences, different sounds. I was
sorely disappointed.
Toshi Reagon sang with
them on several numbers.
Maybe it is because there was no concert that
a bsolutely bowled me over as in years past, but
I did not come home with that feeling of emot ional overload.
Maybe that's good. It was
ereat, I learned a lot and I will certainly go
back every year. Maybe I'm just growing up in
this new life.

--~--------------------------------------·--

COMMENTS FROM FESTIVAL NEWGOERS
I was one of several women from Oklahoma who
attended the NWMF in Bloomington. My outlook
may vary from others because this was my f irst
Festival.
I was enthralled. The residents of Bloomington
opened their doors and their community to this
event and the women attending. My lover and I
walked the streets comfortably holding hands. I
have never felt so safe.
The University was beautiful. The one fountain
on campus depicted the "Birth of Venus." . It
seemed as though the University was made for
women. Maybe that's why the Festival fit so
naturally in this environment.
I would recommend this Festival to anyone in
any fiQancial status. It cost me less than $200
for a full pass, dorm for three days, gas
(divided among four persons), food and t he
experience of a lifetime.
Craftswomen from all over the country were
present with sliding scale prices for jewelry,
clothes, crafts, books, periodicals, etc.
The musicians and comedians were all at th ir
best. I saw for the first time June Millington
Alive!, Ronnie Gilbert, Robin Tyler and many
others. They also interacted easily with folks
during the entire Festival.
Next year, consider this Festival for a few days
of entertainment for yourself and family. You
may want to contact Herland about getting in a
· caravan and pooling resources.
See Ya There ...
Laura Choate
We drove and drove and drove. Then it happened. Many of my friends had told me that it
was an experience I would long remember; something for which I would plan year after year.
We were in Bloomington, Indiana, at the National Women's Music Festival.
The campus was breathtaking! Trees grew so
tall that grass flourished under them. Trees of
all kinds reached up to the clouds. A bjOok ran

Cassia A. Mealor, M.S.

down, around and through the campus. Wooden
bridges let you cross at will, built strong and
enduring. Squirrels, chipmonks and rabbits call it
their .home and their playground. I stood in
calm serenity, breathless·~
It only seems natural that the NWMF be held

there. Women of all races and nations gathered
in a spirit of peace and love to share a part of
themselves.
Not only were we all entertained by such greats
as Ronnie Gilbert, Ferron, June Millington,
Alive!, Robin Tyler, Kate Clinton, Casselberry
and DuPree, and Linda Tillery, but many artists
also held workshops. We also had the good fort une of meeting and speaking with the artists.
The NWMF is a place of learning and of sharing ourselves and what we have learned. Like
the surroundings, the women blended together in
harmony.
T e NWMF is held every year and should be
included on everyone's priority list. You will
leave exhausted and yet filled with a warm
glow that will light your dreams until the next
year.
Dona W.
OKC

when i think of comfort or of love
your ha?,ds ·are the only hands
and youf breasts, the only breasts
the musi c of your voice is the wings
of my spirit
and the many lights in your eyes weave
my days together day
after day after
day and
your face is home
thistle
Fayetteville, AR

HER LAND SISTER RESOURCES , I NC.
. .. a specialty center for women

Counselor
Resource Librar y

Monthl y Ne w sletter

Educational Publi c Program s

Books. Mus ic. Art Sales

Cultural Events

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

w.

(405) 524-3017

Counseling and Referral s

SAT. 10-6, SUN . 1- 6
1630 N.W. 19 ST., OKLAHOMA CITY

ACCIDENT DIVIDES MINNESOTA FAMILY
For four years, K.T. and S.K., 28, lived together in a lesbian relationship. They bought a house on Briggs Lake near
St. Cloud, MN, and took out life insurance on each other.
Then, on Nov. 13, 1983, their lives changed suddenly when
S. suffered brain damage and was left quadriplegic after a
car accident, caused by a drunken driver. Now, their relationship and who should supervise S's care is at the center
of a hotly disputed legal battle between K. and S's parents.
The parents questioned K's daily involvement with S's care
and wanted to limit her visiting hours, so K. filed for auardianship. K. then "came out" to S's parents and the dispute
became embittered. S's father denied his daughter's lesbianism and accused K. of being "sick" and "crazy." A Sherburne County District Court judse later awarded custody to
S's parents, with the provision that K. be granted "equal
access" to visitation and medical staff consultations, and
that S. remain in St. Cloud. During this time, K. taught S.
to communicate with an electric typewriter. After lying
comatose for four months, she seemed to be making remarkable progress towards a partial recovery, In September, the
family filed successfully to have her moved to Duluth,
where she quickly regressed. K. continues to fight to get S.
moved back to St. Cloud.
-from Equal Times, reprinted in L.C., Vol. 8, No. 1
PROTECTING OURSELVES AND OUR LOVERS
In reference to (the above news item), K. obviously believes·
that the loving doesn't stop when the going gets tough!
Good for you, K. If put in that position, I can ontY pray
that I would have that kind of courage and patience.

knowing that you wanted to be cremated with your ashes
spread amonr some place special to the two of you, but
having no 8ay if your parents want a traditional burial
somewhere else.
Why take a chance? Be sure that your partner won't be
left with nothing, except for maybe a few unpaid bills for
the property that may end up going to your family.

Bozeman, MT., from L.C., Vol. 8, No. 1
FORESIGHT CAN BE 20/20. TOO
I would like to comment on the above articles. I live in
one of the most conservative states in the nation. My
family is old school Southern Baptist. If I were to be
incapacitated or die, they would probably react very
similarly to the above.
I

I do not want to be kept alive by artificial means, nor do I
want to be in a nursing home, should I not be able to care
for my own needs.
I strongly urge all Oklahoma lesbians to look into a Will
and a Living Will and name the person of your choice as
~cutor of your estate and your living needs. You may
feel you do not have enough personal possessions to warrant a will. Take a few moments to inventory these things
and what your personal needs are. You may find a great
value to your peace of mind is just as important as making
sure things are taken care of to your satisfaction rather
than your family's.
Laura Choate
OKC

A lot of this grief and at least some of the $30,000 in legal bills that K. has incurred so far could have been avoided if the wimmin had had a legal document stating the desire to be responsible for each other in case of an illness
or accident. You probably have furniture, vehicles, land, a
home, etc., that have been purchased together. If both your
names aren't on the title, or if the purchase isn't made
through a joint checking account, and there is not a will
stating that your partner is entitled to that property
through partnership--it can end up going to your family.
Laws vary from state to state, but a "Right to Die" document is becoming more popular every day. You need to let
your family know how you feel about being hooked up to a
machine. Othei-wise, all your partner can do is watch your
death being prolonged. Name a contingent executor, someone
who knows both of you and will speak for you in case the
tragedy involves you both. She can fight for your right to
die because you have given her that power. Sounds rather
messy, right? Well, it happens every day, in every lifestyle.
We are considered single wimmin, so we need to let our
families, friends, lawyers and doctors know how we feel on
legal matters. Without a "will," the responsibility of a single
womyn belongs to the parents, including disposal of the
body. Think about how helpless your partner would feel,

~

SHATZY WATSON

.,~ ~._of' ~e:,

~-~ ~~ ~~
~\; ~' ~~~ p 0 BOX 10472
.A~ ~"
MIDWEST CITY
l\v-~~..:OKLA.
73140
~ ~o
PHONE: 737-7487
•

I

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ALPHA PAINTING
i'

Commercial - Residential
900 N. FRETZ
EDMOND, OK 73034

P:D. REYNOLDS
( 405) 341 ·9492

PAULA HARDEMAN
( 405) 524·0868

• E•tate Liquidations • Appraiaau -

1008 N. May
942-0124

C5olb

After 6 P.M.
524-3073

8Hurr

[u.etnm alrwrlry & lrnthrr flrsign
\Iµ .l..ppoinhnrnl ©nlµ'

1403' 323 -83 .:!4

1507 N.11. 281~ @itrrrl
~kla~oma C:itµ, ©klahoma i'Jl06

HERL ND NEWS
It's official--Herland is very pleased to announce
our non-profit status under section 501(c)(3) has
been approved. Thanks to Kris Marek, our legal
counselor, for her outstanding work and many donat ed hours. Over the past six months we have
done the groundwork for an organizational structure
which should prove accessible and responsive to
the public; flexible and functional enough to provide a base for service for many years to come.
The support from our community has allowed us to
maintain activities and expand. Thanks to everyone
who supports our programs with your good words,
smiling faces, suggestions and criticisms. If you
haven't already done so, consider getting involved.
We need you.
To our newsletter readers, beginning with the last
issue, we added "Address Correction Requested: Return Postage Guaranteed." For each return we are
charged $.30, in addition to the 12.5 cents initial
postage. To insure your newsletter reaching the
right place, please let us know if you move. You
won't miss a single issue and you will save us
money.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS

NEW

ADDRESS~~~~~~~~~-

OLD ADDRESS_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

DATE(S) EFFECTIVE_ _ _ _ _ __

WOMEN EXPLORE DISCRIMINATION ISSUES
The following outline is taken from the homophobia workshop
conducted by Suzanne Pharr, Director, Arkansas Women's
Project, May 4, 1985.
Manifestations of Internalized Homophobia:
Aversion to nurturance, of yourself and of others, · f
, ,,::,.:/ ., _, and from others to yourself
Self-critical and low self-esteem
Pear and terror (of bodily harm, economic, loss of children,
family, friends ... )
Self-oppression and oppressing others
Passing as straight and pretending to be eomone you're not
Self-silencing
Destructive relationships
Additions - drugs, alcohol, food, etc.
Suicide
Pear of success
Settling for less
Unrealistic demands of ourselves and of others
New stereotypes/reverse stereotypes (PC,PI, butch, femme,
·etc.)
Invalidation of our social roles (in caretaking professions)
because we're lesbians
Owing society more than our share/Seeking outside permission to live
Horizontal hostility toward each other and internal hostility
toward ourselves are misdirected anger
Avoidance of intimacy
Cutting ourselves off from straight women
Internal (community) prejudice
Withholding support for each other because of our diversity
Depression and stress, displaying protective body language
Statements Whicli are True F'or All Lesbians:
We are very' diverse
We have a ~ame sex orientation
We are all women
~, ·of us live ordinary lives
We icJentify with other lesbians (?)
We ~ave commonlities with other women
We iill live in a homophobic world
Solutions to the Problems of Internalized Homophobia:

HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES, INC.
announces
our next Collective meeting
Open to Public
j.11\..P- -<,....., ,..-~c

.1

6:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 1•1.•°"'"" Q~ 55 \\ ~\.P"
at Herland, 1630 N.W. 19
Call 524-3017, 946-5395

TERRY COCON, Representative

A.LWIWAMS
1330 N. Classen Blvd.,
ilG-5
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(405) 232-9806
A.L. llLLIAMS II A CO-OP OF INDEPENDENT BUllNEISMEN AND ~OMEN
MARltfTINC LIFE INSURANCE A•D OTHER FINANCIAL PROOUCH
1..,,~acnt11"I Maa.uclw•f' t U
Lil• Comp.a.ny
le&~

''*"'"''' *

OU.en, A.U.,ua

~111

Learn our lineage-either the line of women in our family,
or our lesbian heritage
Talk about how we would like to be, as a community and
interpersonally
Set personal, freemg goals/Push the limits (of our
expression of ourselves as lesbians)
Build family, community, coalition. Create HOME: safety and
acceptance
Establish a lesbian presence
Build strong, healing, nurturing relationships/ friendships
Create space for ourselves
Organize events to bring lesbians together--events that af.
firm us
Do public education/internal education
Form support groups/political action groups
Build coalitions with other oppressed groups-connected oppressions
Re-tribalize, seek lesbian role models
Share our stories
Share energy, resources, skills, needs...
Create/reclaim rituals and celebrations to meet our needs
for support and acknowledgement
Find allies and supporters
Rehearse for facing homophobia
Self-educate ourselves about our diversity
Develop strategies for defense

ACTIONS FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
There's plenty happening in commemoration of
the 40th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima
and Nagasaki. Large activities in which you can
pa11ticipate include: 1) the Pantex Pligrimage,
August 3-9, an encampment outside the Pantex
Plant, contact Nathaniel Batchelder at 524-5577 or
Rex Friend at 232-2512 for information; 2) The
August Desert Witness, a non-violent witness at the
Nevada Nuclear Weapons Test Site near Las Vegas,
contact 702-646-4814; 3) The Ribbon Wrapping of
the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Sunday,
August 4, contact Lillian Pawlik at 514-5577. (from
Scissortail)
CONFERENCES
Southern Women: Portraits in Diversity. Tulane University, New Orleans. September 26-28, 1985 ... with
Florence Howe and Toni Cade Bambara. For inform tion, call the Newcomb Women's Center, 504-8655238, or write Beth Willingen, Newcomb Women's
Center, Newcomb College, New Orleans, LA 70118
New Jewish Agenda National Conference, Ann ·
Arbor, Michigan, July 18-21, 1985 ... will be addressing the "most troubling issues of our time" 'in a
progre~sive way. For information, write 149 Church
St., #2-N, New York, NY 10007
Women and Technology, Portland Oregon, August 3,
1985... will focus on workplace technology such as
electronics, information processing and telecommunications. For information, write P.O. Box 40244,·
Portland, OR 97240
Racism in the Americas, Cape Cod, August 21-25,
1985 ... sponsored by the Union for Radical Political
Economics. For information, write URPE Conference, 155 West 23rd St., 12th Fl., New York, NY
10011 (212-691-5722)

WHYPPERWILLOW WOMEN SEEK OTHERS
Wbypperwillow is 320 acres of meadows and woods,
with seasonal springs and a creek running through
the middle of the land to the waterfalls. There is
one central year-round well, no electricity, no
plumbing. One main rough and rocky road leads
down into the hollow and lots of new and old
paths can be found. Access may deter some. While
offering a sense of "other worldness" in her isolation, Wbypperwillow is only about 7 miles from Eureka Springs and 35 miles from Fayetteville, Arkansas. Both offer opportuniti
for employment and
city socializing.
Wbypperwillow is seeking other wymin to join her.
No specific "rules" or "conditions" exist that one
must complete to be eligible for membership. We
ea ch have our own interests and needs regarding

this land. We feel a magic here and look forward
to the journeys of other wY111in as they spiral their
ways here and home.
Wbypperwillow Wymin, Route 1, Box 198, Eureka
Springs, AR 72632
WOMEN'S PROGRAMS AT ROSE STATE COLLEGE
The Office of Women's Programs at Rose State
College, 6420 S.E. 15th Street, Midwest City,
seeks to provide a support system for students new
to college or those re-entering the academic environment. Special services provided include counseling on class schedules and role conflicts, information on study skills and career selections, and special seminars and classes designed to meet the
needs of women on campus.
For additional information, contact the Office of
Women's Programs, Administration Bldg., Rm. 106,
or call 733-7389.
A CLOSER LOOK AT "DOUBLE TALK"
Review by Sara Miller
Singer/songwriter Gayle Marie has released her
second album, "Double Talk." For those already
enchant ·e d by Gayle's lyrical voice and mellow love
songs, you won't be disappointed, but watch
out--"cause you're headed for a pretty wild ride."
1'

"Double Talk" 'i ncludes that blues-ballad "Love Triangle" and "Love's Sweet Song," but Gayle has also
wandered into the land of funk and jazz. The title
cut is an· upbeat cynical look at the double talk
that spotfts 'from the mouths of our nation's leaders.

f

...

"Versatile" is the adjective most often used to describe Gayle Marie. She is able to sing her love
songs with a poignant simplicity that can send shivers dancing up and down your spine, but then she
shifts into high gear and it's your feet that are
dancing.
·
Take Gayle's dare:
... come a little bit closer
... can't you taste the excitement?" You won't
regret it and that's not double talk!
"Double Talk" available on record or cassette order
from Herland, $8.98

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

BOOKS OP INTEREST
Fran Peavey, Heart Politics (New Society, 19.95)

J udy Grahn, Another Mother Tongue (Beacon Press, 116.95)

Teacher, comedian and social change catalyst Peavey of the
"Atomic Comics" tells of her encounters
with the fears and hopes we all carry inside us. Hers is a
journey of connections-with elderly tenants facing eviction
from their residential hotel, with alcoholics and street people
loncing for self-respect, with ordinary Americans awakening
to the threat of nuclear war, with Indians dedicated to
clean.inc up the Ganges River, with prostitutes in Banskok
worried about their children's education, with civilians caucht
in the tragedy of the Middle Bast conflict. Her tales show
us that we can respond to the critical issues of our lives
with humanity and humor.

Why is lavendar a 1ay color?

Who were the "manly hearted
women" of the Sioux Indians? What is the oricin of the word
bulldyke? Weaving tales of mythology, the occult, witch rituals and Indian tribal customs with her own personal history,
Grahn explores the roots of 1ay culture from ancient times
to today. Her own stories (in the military, in the gay bars of
the fifties) told to the memory of her first lover are witty
and startingly honest. (See NWMP article, page 1)

intemationally-to:ur~ng

Louise Brdich, Love Medicine (HRW, 113.95)
Brdich weaves this tale about the Kashpaws and the Samartines on and around a North Dakota reservation from 19341984. The lives and loves of this exiled people are keenly
and tenderly recreated.

Lisa Alther, Other Women (Knopf, 115.95)
Caroline Kelley discovers that Hannah, her confident and
successful therapist, is as strong, stubborn, determined-and
civing--as herself. If you liked Judith Roamer's AYIY!!!. you'll
find Other Women as compelling, but more fun.
Marge Piercy,

My

Also by Brdich, Jacklight, 16.95
Brdich, a Native American woman whose depiction of the
Midwest is broucht to life with keen vision; her poems conjure passion and macic.

Mother's Body (Knopf, 17.95)

Gloria Naylor, Linden Hills (Ticknor & Fields, S16.95)

Marge Piercy's tenth book of poetry features a powerful
sequence of poems to her mother. Poems of Jewish identity,
of nature and themes central to women's lives find the beautiful in the everyday.

Naylor, whiner of the American Book Award for The Women
of Brewster Place (14.95), returns with a novel about a
middle-class black community. "Naylor is not afraid to grapple with life's big subjects: sex, birth, love, death, lrief. Her
talent 1lows like beaten copper."
Washioston Post Book
World

Janet Kauffman, Places in the World a Woman Could Walk
(Penguin, 14.95)
Janet Kauffman's writing is bold, sparse and at times sensuous. _To quote from one selection, "My Mother Surrounded
Me," each story is a "hand-held charm." This collection of
short stories is now out in paper.
Ursula Owens, ed.,
(Pantheon, 17.95)

Fathers:

Reflections

by

Mary Renault, The Friendly Young Ladies (Random House,
16.95)
Originally published as The Middle Mist in 1945, Renault
wrote this bold and forthright novel at a time when few lesbian novels were ';in print. The story is of two modem young
women, Helen and Leo, in thirties London, who have been
living and loving for several years on a houseboat on the
Thames. When Leo's teenage sister comes to stay, their
cheerful Bohemian life is turned upside down.

Daughters

Several writers have recently explored the mother/dauchter
relationship, but until now, little has been written of the
father/dauchter relationship, one that is perhaps more complex and unresolved. Major American and British writers,
among them Doris Lessing, Mary Gordon, Alice Munro,
Adrienne Rich and Grace Paley, discuss their fathers and
how they shaped their lives.

~ ·. '

,'

i:

1

KRISTINA S. MAREK

Rosemary Curb, Nancy Manahan, eds., Lesbian Nuns: Breaking
Silence (Naiad Press, 19.95)

Attorney and Counselor at Law

We always knew there were lesbian nuns, didn't we? Now,
after centurie'.s of silence, the editors have gathered fifty
"coming out" stories told by lesbian nuns and ex-nuns. Told
with candor, warmth and humor, these women share their discovery of "particular friendships" and their sometimes painful
struggle to remain true to the Church and to themselves.
Many of the women's commitment to achieve humanitarian
goals remains as strong, but has been redirected into the
lesbian/feminist community. Photographs.

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

m

WJ_W

I
I

G

THIS SPACE FOR RENT

Phone 63, -1546

'

$10

EDWINA V. JOHNSON. D.D.S.
COMPREHENSI VE DENTISTRY
4912 S WESTERN
OKLAHOMA CITY . OKLAHOMA 73109
I

OPEN FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE
MON THAU THUR. 6:00 PM · 12·00 MIDNIGHT

SUNOAY 10-10PM

write:

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

I

Janice Radway, Reading the Romance: Women. Patriarchy and
Popular Literature (Univ. of N. Carolina Press, S7.95)
Examines the enormous popularity of romance fiction:
the readers and their romances, the act of reading, the ideal
romance novel, and the patriarchal implications shrouded in
the romances.

Th*' Celibate Woman provides a communication network amonr women who are interested in explorinr new and meaninrful ways of relating to others-including those with whom
they are intimate-rather than taking their affections in a
sexual direction. Published irrerularly, subscriptions are S4
per issue from 3306 Ross Place, N.W., Washington, D.C.

Bell Hooks, Feminist Theory: From Marsin to Center (South
Bnd Preas, S8.00)
Usinc examples that are close to home, Hooks strives
to imasine a feminist movement that encompasses the diversity of all women's experiences. Includes separate chapters on
Black women, men: comrades in opposition, educating women,
and parenting.

Aurora is a marazine containing material about science fiction and fantasy with a decidedly feminist bias. Subscriptions
are SB per year for 3 issues from P.O. Box 1624, Madison,
WI 53704.

Andrea Freud Lowenstein, This Place (Pandora)
An important first novel that recreates daily life in a
woman'• prison throuch the eyes of four women on both
sides of the bars.
Judith L. Weidman, Women Ministers (Harper & Row)
An updated and expanded edition of the collective of
firsthand accounts of clef'IYWomen workinc in parish settings.
Three new chapters discuss spiritual direction, healinc and
spirituality and community ministry.
Lynn V. Andrews, Jyuar Woman: And the Wisdom of the

Butterfly Tree (Harper & Row)
Continuing the story begun in Medicine Woman and carried throush Flight of the Seventh Moon, this sripping account shares Lynn Andrews' onroing quest for inner, knowledce and the power of women as expressed in Native American culture. In Yucatan, she encounters the mysteries of
ancient Mayan eoddesses and discovers the secrets of the
•Jquar Woman.•
Wendy Chavkin, ed., Double Exposure: Women's Health Hazanls on the Job and at Home (New Feminist Library, SlO)
Covers occupations such as nursinc. office work, electronics, farmwork and housework. The essays are rich in research, statistics, law and critical analysis.
Zillah Bisenstein, ed., Capitalist Patriarchy and the Case for
· Socialist Feminism (New Feminist Library, S8.00)
Fourteen provocative papers on the oppression of women in capitalist countries, coupled with three articles on the
subordinate position of women in two communist countries,
Cuba and China.

Ruth Mueller, The Exe of the Child (New Society Publishers,
S7.95)
A hauntinr tale of the future in which a six-year-old
IYP8Y rirl. abandoned on the outskirts of The Sprawl learns
that she can speak Bird. Living atop an abandoned rarbare
dump and communinr with the natural world, she shares in a
knowledre we have always had, yet never truly known.
Joanna Rorers Macy, Despair and Personal Power in the
Nuclear Are (New Society Publishers, $8.95)
A rroundbreaking work for overcominr the •psychic
numbing• which prevents us from coming to terms with the
real threats of nuclear and ecolorical disaster.
.IT'S AVAILABLE

Lesbian and Gav Issues: A Resource Manual for Social Work-

.m is available from the National Asociation of Social Work-

ers,

Inc., 7981 Eastern Ave., Silver Sprincs, MD 20910.

Attorney's Directory, published by Gay .and lesbian Advocates
and Defenders, a leral support rroup operating in the New
Bncland area. For copies, write to P.O. Box 218, Boston, MA
02112.

20008.

Connexions is a quarterly journal specializinr in Bnrlish translations of work from the feminist press outside the U.S.
Subscriptions are S12 from 4228 Telerraph Ave., Oakland,
CA 94609.
Minerva was established as an aid to networkinc for the
many croups and individuals concerned with some aspect of
women and the militar.y. Subscripsions are 130 for 4 issues
from 1101 S. Arlinrton Ridre Rd. #210, Arlinrton, VA 22202.
Women's Sports and Fituess is the official publication of the
Women's Sports Foundation, a non-profit corporation founded
in 1974 by a rroup of women athletes (headed by Billie Jean
Kinr and Donna de Varona) to encourace women of all ages
to participate in sports and work toward equality for women
in sports. Subscriptions are 112 for 12 issues from P.O. Box
612, Holmes, PA 19043.
Aegis provides practical information and resources on rape,
batterinr. child sexual assault, sexual harassment and other
forms of violence against women. Subscriptions are Sl0.50
for 4 issues from P.O. Box 21033, Washington, D.C. 20009.
Trivia publishes current non-academic feminist theory and
scholarship. Subscriptions are SlO for 3 issues from P.O. Box
606, N. Amherst, F.MA 01059.
Cassandra is the ' newsletter of Cassandra, a radical feminist
nurses' network. Subscriptions for 3 issues are S35 for
women in nursing; S25 for those not in nursing from P.O.
Box 341, Williamsville, NY 14221.
I

·'

I

The Natioia.l Women's Health Report provides clear and understandablfj' health care information for women of all aces.
Subscriptions are S18 for the monthly from P.O. Box 25307,
Georretown Stn., Washington, D.C. 20007.
Women in Business is the publication of the American Business Women's Association. Subscriptions are SlO for the bimonthly from 9100 Ward Parkway, P.O. Box 8728, Kansas
City, MO 64114.
The Childbirth Alternatives QuarterlY provides consumeroriented information on alternatives in childbirth, home birth,
midwifery and maternal/child health. Subscriptions are SlO
for 4 issues from Bin 62, SLAC, Stanford, CA 94305.
Women Artists News contains reviews, feature articles, resources of interest to women in the visual arts. Subscriptions are S8.50 for the bimonthly from P.O. Box 3304, Grand
Central Station, New York, NY 10163.
Women & Performance is the first journal to address performance from a feminist perspective. Subscriptions are S9 for
2 issues from 51 W. 4th St., Rm. 300, New York University,
New York, NY 10012.
The Feminist Teacher is a quarterly publication for teachers
from preschool to rraduate school. Subscriptions are S12 frm
Ballantine 442, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405.
Tradeswoman Mgazine is about women working in nontraditional blue collar jobs. Subscriptions are SlO for 4 issues
from P.O. Box 40664, San Francisco, CA 94140.
9-5 Newsletter addresses issues of concern to clerical workers. Subscriptions are S15-S20 for the bimonthly from 1224
Huron Road, Cleveland, OH 44115.



NEWSLETTER

HERLAND
r· e s

0

VOLUME l, NUMBER 7
JULY, 1985

USIC. IDEAS 'BLOOM' AT NWMF
by Marian Hulsey
It was our fifth year to attend the National

Women's Music Festival, held at the University
of Indiana at Bloomington, and, although I have
not attended any other women's music festivals,
I still contend that this one is different.
It is a weekend of "dreams come true";

of
music--three-hour concerts each night, three
hours of Showcase acts in the afternoon (for up
and coming artists), the open mike sessions going on throughout the day and after hours; of
workshops covering spirituality, creativity, wellness, the music industry, all aspects of sober .
support, relationships, third-world issues; of living in a dorm with excellent meals; of seeing
friends you've made at previous festivals and
meeting new ones; of expanding your levels of
consciousness almost to the point of overload.
One workshop I attended explored the question,
"Do I have to be in physical or emotional
pain to be creative?" The consensus was that
we can learn to create from positive rather
th n negative experiences, but that it takes retraining one's work habits. "You must create
from a positive self image," according to workshop leader Toni Herring, a sculptor.
A very metaphysical workshop, led by Jan
Whitely, explored "Reclaiming the Spiritual
Self," stressing that our real strength comes
from accepting diversity. "It is important to
find the things on which we can agree and then
accept diversity," said Whitely, continuing,
"There is no more radical act than taking your
own power, claiming yourself."
Novelist Lee Lynch and poet/teacher/essayist
Judy Grahn led workshops and autographed cop- ,
ies of their books. I attended both sessions of
Grahn's, the first being primarily a poetry reading and discussion of her works.
She paraphrased Sappho as saying that our culture is
what we have when we- have each other and
what we will never have if we don't have each

SISTER
u r c e s
0

BERLAND SISTER RESOURCES , INC.
1630 N.W. 19, Oklah
City, 0 73106

other. Sappho believed (600 B.C.) that death
. was "falling out of the House of the Muse. "
In the lecture hour that followed the readings,
we moved outside (the auditorium was too cold)
and Grahn enlightened the group on many of t he
things we do and like, i.e. the color purple (signifying high spirituality, transformation), t he
amethist, which raises vibrations of spirituality,
opals do the same. Wearing a ring on your little
finger comes naturally because the left little
finger was named for Mercury, a gay god.
Fairies wore green and their favorite day of t he
week was Thursday, their favorite holiday, Halloween.
r.
Certain tribes of American Indians had gay t raditions, in which high offices were held by both
gay ~ud lesbian priests.
There was crossdressi~ and it was considered good fortune to
have shch a person in the family. A child could
choosJ which role to take on (male or female).
From this came the Ceremonial Dyke. The Indians also believed that being gay meant t hat
there were two people in one body and therefore, imbued with special powers. Grahn's books
Another Mother Toyue and The Highest Apple
explore these and other traditions in great detail. She teaches Gay and Lesbian Studies . at
New College of San Francisco, and women's
writing at Mama Bear's
Coffeehouse in
Berkeley/Oakland.
The Festival's Main Stage was opened by
Ronnie Gilbert, accompanied by Adrienne Torf.
They had not rehearsed and it took several
songs for them to get together, but once t hey
did, it was a good segment. The energy level
was not that of the Gilbert/Holly Near concert
in Dallas last fall, but that would have been
asking too much. Gilbert is broadening her musical repertoire, as a result of her tour and r ecord with Near, and she brings such a social
consciousness to the "message" songs she
shares.
(Continued on page 3)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor:

Dear Editor:

We are the world. We are the children. We are the
ones who make a better day. The key word is
"WE," and all of us together make WE. Herland
Sister Resources, Inc., offers women in Oklahoma
and surrounding areas a chance to come together
and form the WE that is needed to make a better
day.

We have come to a time in our society when alcohol c ons umption is not only the norm, it is expected. Social gatherings, parties, picnics, sports events,
etc ., are all "appropriate" places to drink. This letter is intended for those women who feel they consume more alcohol or drugs than they really want
or intend to.
If, when you honestly look at your drinking pattern, you find that you get drunk more often than
you want, or you drink much more than you intended, it is time for you to take charge of your life
and your habits.
If .YOU are experiencing "blackouts," mental lapses
while you are still awake, or if you are experiencing changes in your behavior while drinking that
cause you humiliation or embarrassment, there is
something you can do to help you get rid of your
desire to drink.
My hope is that this letter makes you think and
look deep within for the honesty and courage you
will need to objectively look at yourself and your ·
drinking pattern. If you think there may be a problem, quit for 30 days and see if your attitude and
life improve. If you have tried to quit, but were
unable to, please write to me through Herland.

This is no laughing matter--drinking too much can
kill you, and some throughtful introspection may
save your life.
J. L.
Oklahoma City

HERLAND COFFEEHOUSE
presents
MARY

BLACK

for your entertainment
Friday, July 26, 1985
8:00 p.m.
Herland Sister Resources, Inc.
1630 N.W. 19
Oklahoma City

Publisher:
Editor:
Typesetter:
Advertising:
Circulation:

Herland Sister Resources, Inc.
Elaine Barton
Marian Hulsey
Kris Marek, 521-8434
525

Herland
has grown from Herland Bookstore and
s everal musical events a year, to Herland Sister
Resources, Inc., with a monthly coffeehouse and
musical guest. We now also offer workshops and
special events throughout the year, designed to
help make a better day.
HSR has and will always need your donations, but
equally important, HSR needs your ideas, resources
and attendance. HSR is here to benefit all who
wan~ to make life better and more enjoyable.
In
order for us to do so, we must have your imput.
We need to know what events you would like to
see HSR sponsor.
For us to know what you want, you must tell us.
If you are like most people, you're too busy to sit
down and write a letter, containing your suggestions, and far to busy to mail it. To make your job
, a little easier, listed below are activities in which
you might en.ioy participating. Place a check in t he
blanks that interest you, tear it out and mail it to
Dona Williamsen, HSR, Inc., 1630 N.W. 19 OKC
OK 73106.
.
'
'
I am interested in:
Lesbym 'parents support group
_
_
Wompn's health workshop series
_
Other educational workshops (specify)
_
Special musical/ cultural events (specify)
_
Monthly women's poetry night
_
Okla. women's retreat
_
Travel to music festivals, N.O.W. Conference,
W.A.N.D. Ribbon Wrapping Ceremony; others
(specify)
_
Exhibition for women artists
_
Camping, canoeing, skiing (snow, water), swimming, hiking trips; scuba diving expedition;
softball (game or team); other sports activities (specify)
Your ideas:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-

PLEASE USE ADDITIONAL SHEET IF NEEDED
There are many ways you can contribute to worn"
en's causes and equality. HSR has many needs and
plans for future growth. Your suggestions and ideas
in these areas are needed. Everyone who contributes, whether it be money, time, resources or
ideas, is helping to give women something to be
proud of and a place to go and be relaxed and
free.
Dona W.
OKC

(Continued from page 1)
Ferron f ans were t hrilled by her performance,
but I still don't like her voice. She writes great
music and I know I am in the minority, but her
"Bob Dylan" voice gets in the way of my enjoying her songs.
Linda Tillery has a great voice, but
presence has not loosened up any.
many songs from her new album, and
treat of her set was getting to see
J uli Homi on keyboards. She's a fine
ci n.
June Millington also played
backup.

her stage
She sang
a special
and hear
jazz musiand sang

Fridajr night's emcees were Alexander & Noelle,
a twosome from Chicago who sang at Showcase
last year. They do quite a bit of comedy, but
when they settled down to music, it was very
good.
Unfortunately, Tricia Alexander has
decided to strike out as a solo act.
Saturday's opener was Toshi Reagon, with very
political songs delivered in a good voice, and
excellent guitar playing. She also sang with sever 1 other performers. Reagon (pronounced Reegon) was also a Showcase performer last year.
J une Millington--so nice to look at and listen to.
A little more electronic sound that I like, but a
great performance. June is also a fine producer
of women's records.
Then, the act I was waiting for on this night-Alive!, minus Carolyn Bandy, plus Stacy Rolls on
horns. I am always taken aback by changes in
accompanists, groups, etc., but this is one
addition that really adds a nice sound. This was
t he fourth time I have seen Alive!, plus viewing
them on the Arts Channel's "Women in Jazz"
se ies, and their blend just gets more complimentary. Rhiannon appeared in a dress with a
dropped waistline, and she spent the whole
evening tugging at hip sash. (Performers should
always wear all actual show clothes at several
rehearsals, so they will get used to it. Old trick
from speech training days.)
The evening's emcee was Robin Tyler who also
did a short comedy routine. She used to be my
very favorite, but she was not funny at NWMF
in '83, at least not to me. She was better this
year, although she did use stories she had told
before "Never a Bridesmaid." It seems to me
that she has not kept ·current. She looks different--a little heavier, her hair not as becoming. She had just come from the Southern Festival and was glad to come among those who
were "rustically challenged." Maybe I am the
one who has changed.
Sunday's concert was begun by a new-to-me artist, Beth York, who accompanied vocally and
on piano, The Wright Dance Company. York's
music was very different from the rest of the

festival's performers, but extremely interesting
and beautiful. Her soft, southern accent seemed
reflected in some of the sounds from her piano.
The dancers were also good, seeming to be a
part of the music itself. The dance company is
based in Bloomington and York in Georgia, but
the two expressions were very complimentary.
I cannot say enough about Kate Clinton.
Appearing with a "new" haircut, bleached part
of front and a little squiggle on the side,
looking as provocative as ever, she mesmerized
the audience at an afternoon Showcase, and on
the Sunday night Main Stage. Her humor was as
current as that very afternoon, with, "One of
the · collections going around is for the
Bloomington Land Fund. Yes, we are going t o
bay the University of Indiana. Now, wouldn't
yo~ just love to own a piece of Read Hall?"
One of the funniest things that occurred was
when Kate asked, "How many of you watched
the inauguration?" and not one person in the
500+ audience had seen it. She was flustered,
started laughing, looked at her list and recoyered. She was hot! Although many of her jokes
are even funnier if you were brought up in a
Catholic background, there is enough commonality to make even those jokes funny. She was
introduced as "someone I wish had been my high
school Englishr. teacher." Wouldn't we all!!
Serving as ~mcee and sharing several of her
characters was Judy Sloan, who has revived the
oral tradition · of storytelling. She says, "I gave
birth at~ age 23 to an 85 year old woman,
So~hie, find I think there is a Sophie in each of
us.
:.,
The final act of this year's festival was
Casselberry and Dupree, a duo who performed
last year to enthusiastic fans. They seem to be
concentrating so heavily on their political
essages, acceptable to all when sung but
bordering on too much when spoken between
songs, that they have lost some of the moment um they started a year ago with this particular
f an. They "do" reggae about as well as it can
be done, but somehow their act this year did
not have the appeal it did last June. They advertise that their music comes from many parts
of the America they have experienced as Black
women, but it did not come out sounding like
different experiences, different sounds. I was
sorely disappointed.
Toshi Reagon sang with
them on several numbers.
Maybe it is because there was no concert that
a bsolutely bowled me over as in years past, but
I did not come home with that feeling of emot ional overload.
Maybe that's good. It was
ereat, I learned a lot and I will certainly go
back every year. Maybe I'm just growing up in
this new life.

--~--------------------------------------·--

COMMENTS FROM FESTIVAL NEWGOERS
I was one of several women from Oklahoma who
attended the NWMF in Bloomington. My outlook
may vary from others because this was my f irst
Festival.
I was enthralled. The residents of Bloomington
opened their doors and their community to this
event and the women attending. My lover and I
walked the streets comfortably holding hands. I
have never felt so safe.
The University was beautiful. The one fountain
on campus depicted the "Birth of Venus." . It
seemed as though the University was made for
women. Maybe that's why the Festival fit so
naturally in this environment.
I would recommend this Festival to anyone in
any fiQancial status. It cost me less than $200
for a full pass, dorm for three days, gas
(divided among four persons), food and t he
experience of a lifetime.
Craftswomen from all over the country were
present with sliding scale prices for jewelry,
clothes, crafts, books, periodicals, etc.
The musicians and comedians were all at th ir
best. I saw for the first time June Millington
Alive!, Ronnie Gilbert, Robin Tyler and many
others. They also interacted easily with folks
during the entire Festival.
Next year, consider this Festival for a few days
of entertainment for yourself and family. You
may want to contact Herland about getting in a
· caravan and pooling resources.
See Ya There ...
Laura Choate
We drove and drove and drove. Then it happened. Many of my friends had told me that it
was an experience I would long remember; something for which I would plan year after year.
We were in Bloomington, Indiana, at the National Women's Music Festival.
The campus was breathtaking! Trees grew so
tall that grass flourished under them. Trees of
all kinds reached up to the clouds. A bjOok ran

Cassia A. Mealor, M.S.

down, around and through the campus. Wooden
bridges let you cross at will, built strong and
enduring. Squirrels, chipmonks and rabbits call it
their .home and their playground. I stood in
calm serenity, breathless·~
It only seems natural that the NWMF be held

there. Women of all races and nations gathered
in a spirit of peace and love to share a part of
themselves.
Not only were we all entertained by such greats
as Ronnie Gilbert, Ferron, June Millington,
Alive!, Robin Tyler, Kate Clinton, Casselberry
and DuPree, and Linda Tillery, but many artists
also held workshops. We also had the good fort une of meeting and speaking with the artists.
The NWMF is a place of learning and of sharing ourselves and what we have learned. Like
the surroundings, the women blended together in
harmony.
T e NWMF is held every year and should be
included on everyone's priority list. You will
leave exhausted and yet filled with a warm
glow that will light your dreams until the next
year.
Dona W.
OKC

when i think of comfort or of love
your ha?,ds ·are the only hands
and youf breasts, the only breasts
the musi c of your voice is the wings
of my spirit
and the many lights in your eyes weave
my days together day
after day after
day and
your face is home
thistle
Fayetteville, AR

HER LAND SISTER RESOURCES , I NC.
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Counselor
Resource Librar y

Monthl y Ne w sletter

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ACCIDENT DIVIDES MINNESOTA FAMILY
For four years, K.T. and S.K., 28, lived together in a lesbian relationship. They bought a house on Briggs Lake near
St. Cloud, MN, and took out life insurance on each other.
Then, on Nov. 13, 1983, their lives changed suddenly when
S. suffered brain damage and was left quadriplegic after a
car accident, caused by a drunken driver. Now, their relationship and who should supervise S's care is at the center
of a hotly disputed legal battle between K. and S's parents.
The parents questioned K's daily involvement with S's care
and wanted to limit her visiting hours, so K. filed for auardianship. K. then "came out" to S's parents and the dispute
became embittered. S's father denied his daughter's lesbianism and accused K. of being "sick" and "crazy." A Sherburne County District Court judse later awarded custody to
S's parents, with the provision that K. be granted "equal
access" to visitation and medical staff consultations, and
that S. remain in St. Cloud. During this time, K. taught S.
to communicate with an electric typewriter. After lying
comatose for four months, she seemed to be making remarkable progress towards a partial recovery, In September, the
family filed successfully to have her moved to Duluth,
where she quickly regressed. K. continues to fight to get S.
moved back to St. Cloud.
-from Equal Times, reprinted in L.C., Vol. 8, No. 1
PROTECTING OURSELVES AND OUR LOVERS
In reference to (the above news item), K. obviously believes·
that the loving doesn't stop when the going gets tough!
Good for you, K. If put in that position, I can ontY pray
that I would have that kind of courage and patience.

knowing that you wanted to be cremated with your ashes
spread amonr some place special to the two of you, but
having no 8ay if your parents want a traditional burial
somewhere else.
Why take a chance? Be sure that your partner won't be
left with nothing, except for maybe a few unpaid bills for
the property that may end up going to your family.

Bozeman, MT., from L.C., Vol. 8, No. 1
FORESIGHT CAN BE 20/20. TOO
I would like to comment on the above articles. I live in
one of the most conservative states in the nation. My
family is old school Southern Baptist. If I were to be
incapacitated or die, they would probably react very
similarly to the above.
I

I do not want to be kept alive by artificial means, nor do I
want to be in a nursing home, should I not be able to care
for my own needs.
I strongly urge all Oklahoma lesbians to look into a Will
and a Living Will and name the person of your choice as
~cutor of your estate and your living needs. You may
feel you do not have enough personal possessions to warrant a will. Take a few moments to inventory these things
and what your personal needs are. You may find a great
value to your peace of mind is just as important as making
sure things are taken care of to your satisfaction rather
than your family's.
Laura Choate
OKC

A lot of this grief and at least some of the $30,000 in legal bills that K. has incurred so far could have been avoided if the wimmin had had a legal document stating the desire to be responsible for each other in case of an illness
or accident. You probably have furniture, vehicles, land, a
home, etc., that have been purchased together. If both your
names aren't on the title, or if the purchase isn't made
through a joint checking account, and there is not a will
stating that your partner is entitled to that property
through partnership--it can end up going to your family.
Laws vary from state to state, but a "Right to Die" document is becoming more popular every day. You need to let
your family know how you feel about being hooked up to a
machine. Othei-wise, all your partner can do is watch your
death being prolonged. Name a contingent executor, someone
who knows both of you and will speak for you in case the
tragedy involves you both. She can fight for your right to
die because you have given her that power. Sounds rather
messy, right? Well, it happens every day, in every lifestyle.
We are considered single wimmin, so we need to let our
families, friends, lawyers and doctors know how we feel on
legal matters. Without a "will," the responsibility of a single
womyn belongs to the parents, including disposal of the
body. Think about how helpless your partner would feel,

~

SHATZY WATSON

.,~ ~._of' ~e:,

~-~ ~~ ~~
~\; ~' ~~~ p 0 BOX 10472
.A~ ~"
MIDWEST CITY
l\v-~~..:OKLA.
73140
~ ~o
PHONE: 737-7487
•

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(

ALPHA PAINTING
i'

Commercial - Residential
900 N. FRETZ
EDMOND, OK 73034

P:D. REYNOLDS
( 405) 341 ·9492

PAULA HARDEMAN
( 405) 524·0868

• E•tate Liquidations • Appraiaau -

1008 N. May
942-0124

C5olb

After 6 P.M.
524-3073

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HERL ND NEWS
It's official--Herland is very pleased to announce
our non-profit status under section 501(c)(3) has
been approved. Thanks to Kris Marek, our legal
counselor, for her outstanding work and many donat ed hours. Over the past six months we have
done the groundwork for an organizational structure
which should prove accessible and responsive to
the public; flexible and functional enough to provide a base for service for many years to come.
The support from our community has allowed us to
maintain activities and expand. Thanks to everyone
who supports our programs with your good words,
smiling faces, suggestions and criticisms. If you
haven't already done so, consider getting involved.
We need you.
To our newsletter readers, beginning with the last
issue, we added "Address Correction Requested: Return Postage Guaranteed." For each return we are
charged $.30, in addition to the 12.5 cents initial
postage. To insure your newsletter reaching the
right place, please let us know if you move. You
won't miss a single issue and you will save us
money.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS

NEW

ADDRESS~~~~~~~~~-

OLD ADDRESS_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

DATE(S) EFFECTIVE_ _ _ _ _ __

WOMEN EXPLORE DISCRIMINATION ISSUES
The following outline is taken from the homophobia workshop
conducted by Suzanne Pharr, Director, Arkansas Women's
Project, May 4, 1985.
Manifestations of Internalized Homophobia:
Aversion to nurturance, of yourself and of others, · f
, ,,::,.:/ ., _, and from others to yourself
Self-critical and low self-esteem
Pear and terror (of bodily harm, economic, loss of children,
family, friends ... )
Self-oppression and oppressing others
Passing as straight and pretending to be eomone you're not
Self-silencing
Destructive relationships
Additions - drugs, alcohol, food, etc.
Suicide
Pear of success
Settling for less
Unrealistic demands of ourselves and of others
New stereotypes/reverse stereotypes (PC,PI, butch, femme,
·etc.)
Invalidation of our social roles (in caretaking professions)
because we're lesbians
Owing society more than our share/Seeking outside permission to live
Horizontal hostility toward each other and internal hostility
toward ourselves are misdirected anger
Avoidance of intimacy
Cutting ourselves off from straight women
Internal (community) prejudice
Withholding support for each other because of our diversity
Depression and stress, displaying protective body language
Statements Whicli are True F'or All Lesbians:
We are very' diverse
We have a ~ame sex orientation
We are all women
~, ·of us live ordinary lives
We icJentify with other lesbians (?)
We ~ave commonlities with other women
We iill live in a homophobic world
Solutions to the Problems of Internalized Homophobia:

HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES, INC.
announces
our next Collective meeting
Open to Public
j.11\..P- -<,....., ,..-~c

.1

6:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 1•1.•°"'"" Q~ 55 \\ ~\.P"
at Herland, 1630 N.W. 19
Call 524-3017, 946-5395

TERRY COCON, Representative

A.LWIWAMS
1330 N. Classen Blvd.,
ilG-5
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(405) 232-9806
A.L. llLLIAMS II A CO-OP OF INDEPENDENT BUllNEISMEN AND ~OMEN
MARltfTINC LIFE INSURANCE A•D OTHER FINANCIAL PROOUCH
1..,,~acnt11"I Maa.uclw•f' t U
Lil• Comp.a.ny
le&~

''*"'"''' *

OU.en, A.U.,ua

~111

Learn our lineage-either the line of women in our family,
or our lesbian heritage
Talk about how we would like to be, as a community and
interpersonally
Set personal, freemg goals/Push the limits (of our
expression of ourselves as lesbians)
Build family, community, coalition. Create HOME: safety and
acceptance
Establish a lesbian presence
Build strong, healing, nurturing relationships/ friendships
Create space for ourselves
Organize events to bring lesbians together--events that af.
firm us
Do public education/internal education
Form support groups/political action groups
Build coalitions with other oppressed groups-connected oppressions
Re-tribalize, seek lesbian role models
Share our stories
Share energy, resources, skills, needs...
Create/reclaim rituals and celebrations to meet our needs
for support and acknowledgement
Find allies and supporters
Rehearse for facing homophobia
Self-educate ourselves about our diversity
Develop strategies for defense

ACTIONS FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
There's plenty happening in commemoration of
the 40th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima
and Nagasaki. Large activities in which you can
pa11ticipate include: 1) the Pantex Pligrimage,
August 3-9, an encampment outside the Pantex
Plant, contact Nathaniel Batchelder at 524-5577 or
Rex Friend at 232-2512 for information; 2) The
August Desert Witness, a non-violent witness at the
Nevada Nuclear Weapons Test Site near Las Vegas,
contact 702-646-4814; 3) The Ribbon Wrapping of
the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Sunday,
August 4, contact Lillian Pawlik at 514-5577. (from
Scissortail)
CONFERENCES
Southern Women: Portraits in Diversity. Tulane University, New Orleans. September 26-28, 1985 ... with
Florence Howe and Toni Cade Bambara. For inform tion, call the Newcomb Women's Center, 504-8655238, or write Beth Willingen, Newcomb Women's
Center, Newcomb College, New Orleans, LA 70118
New Jewish Agenda National Conference, Ann ·
Arbor, Michigan, July 18-21, 1985 ... will be addressing the "most troubling issues of our time" 'in a
progre~sive way. For information, write 149 Church
St., #2-N, New York, NY 10007
Women and Technology, Portland Oregon, August 3,
1985... will focus on workplace technology such as
electronics, information processing and telecommunications. For information, write P.O. Box 40244,·
Portland, OR 97240
Racism in the Americas, Cape Cod, August 21-25,
1985 ... sponsored by the Union for Radical Political
Economics. For information, write URPE Conference, 155 West 23rd St., 12th Fl., New York, NY
10011 (212-691-5722)

WHYPPERWILLOW WOMEN SEEK OTHERS
Wbypperwillow is 320 acres of meadows and woods,
with seasonal springs and a creek running through
the middle of the land to the waterfalls. There is
one central year-round well, no electricity, no
plumbing. One main rough and rocky road leads
down into the hollow and lots of new and old
paths can be found. Access may deter some. While
offering a sense of "other worldness" in her isolation, Wbypperwillow is only about 7 miles from Eureka Springs and 35 miles from Fayetteville, Arkansas. Both offer opportuniti
for employment and
city socializing.
Wbypperwillow is seeking other wymin to join her.
No specific "rules" or "conditions" exist that one
must complete to be eligible for membership. We
ea ch have our own interests and needs regarding

this land. We feel a magic here and look forward
to the journeys of other wY111in as they spiral their
ways here and home.
Wbypperwillow Wymin, Route 1, Box 198, Eureka
Springs, AR 72632
WOMEN'S PROGRAMS AT ROSE STATE COLLEGE
The Office of Women's Programs at Rose State
College, 6420 S.E. 15th Street, Midwest City,
seeks to provide a support system for students new
to college or those re-entering the academic environment. Special services provided include counseling on class schedules and role conflicts, information on study skills and career selections, and special seminars and classes designed to meet the
needs of women on campus.
For additional information, contact the Office of
Women's Programs, Administration Bldg., Rm. 106,
or call 733-7389.
A CLOSER LOOK AT "DOUBLE TALK"
Review by Sara Miller
Singer/songwriter Gayle Marie has released her
second album, "Double Talk." For those already
enchant ·e d by Gayle's lyrical voice and mellow love
songs, you won't be disappointed, but watch
out--"cause you're headed for a pretty wild ride."
1'

"Double Talk" 'i ncludes that blues-ballad "Love Triangle" and "Love's Sweet Song," but Gayle has also
wandered into the land of funk and jazz. The title
cut is an· upbeat cynical look at the double talk
that spotfts 'from the mouths of our nation's leaders.

f

...

"Versatile" is the adjective most often used to describe Gayle Marie. She is able to sing her love
songs with a poignant simplicity that can send shivers dancing up and down your spine, but then she
shifts into high gear and it's your feet that are
dancing.
·
Take Gayle's dare:
... come a little bit closer
... can't you taste the excitement?" You won't
regret it and that's not double talk!
"Double Talk" available on record or cassette order
from Herland, $8.98

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

BOOKS OP INTEREST
Fran Peavey, Heart Politics (New Society, 19.95)

J udy Grahn, Another Mother Tongue (Beacon Press, 116.95)

Teacher, comedian and social change catalyst Peavey of the
"Atomic Comics" tells of her encounters
with the fears and hopes we all carry inside us. Hers is a
journey of connections-with elderly tenants facing eviction
from their residential hotel, with alcoholics and street people
loncing for self-respect, with ordinary Americans awakening
to the threat of nuclear war, with Indians dedicated to
clean.inc up the Ganges River, with prostitutes in Banskok
worried about their children's education, with civilians caucht
in the tragedy of the Middle Bast conflict. Her tales show
us that we can respond to the critical issues of our lives
with humanity and humor.

Why is lavendar a 1ay color?

Who were the "manly hearted
women" of the Sioux Indians? What is the oricin of the word
bulldyke? Weaving tales of mythology, the occult, witch rituals and Indian tribal customs with her own personal history,
Grahn explores the roots of 1ay culture from ancient times
to today. Her own stories (in the military, in the gay bars of
the fifties) told to the memory of her first lover are witty
and startingly honest. (See NWMP article, page 1)

intemationally-to:ur~ng

Louise Brdich, Love Medicine (HRW, 113.95)
Brdich weaves this tale about the Kashpaws and the Samartines on and around a North Dakota reservation from 19341984. The lives and loves of this exiled people are keenly
and tenderly recreated.

Lisa Alther, Other Women (Knopf, 115.95)
Caroline Kelley discovers that Hannah, her confident and
successful therapist, is as strong, stubborn, determined-and
civing--as herself. If you liked Judith Roamer's AYIY!!!. you'll
find Other Women as compelling, but more fun.
Marge Piercy,

My

Also by Brdich, Jacklight, 16.95
Brdich, a Native American woman whose depiction of the
Midwest is broucht to life with keen vision; her poems conjure passion and macic.

Mother's Body (Knopf, 17.95)

Gloria Naylor, Linden Hills (Ticknor & Fields, S16.95)

Marge Piercy's tenth book of poetry features a powerful
sequence of poems to her mother. Poems of Jewish identity,
of nature and themes central to women's lives find the beautiful in the everyday.

Naylor, whiner of the American Book Award for The Women
of Brewster Place (14.95), returns with a novel about a
middle-class black community. "Naylor is not afraid to grapple with life's big subjects: sex, birth, love, death, lrief. Her
talent 1lows like beaten copper."
Washioston Post Book
World

Janet Kauffman, Places in the World a Woman Could Walk
(Penguin, 14.95)
Janet Kauffman's writing is bold, sparse and at times sensuous. _To quote from one selection, "My Mother Surrounded
Me," each story is a "hand-held charm." This collection of
short stories is now out in paper.
Ursula Owens, ed.,
(Pantheon, 17.95)

Fathers:

Reflections

by

Mary Renault, The Friendly Young Ladies (Random House,
16.95)
Originally published as The Middle Mist in 1945, Renault
wrote this bold and forthright novel at a time when few lesbian novels were ';in print. The story is of two modem young
women, Helen and Leo, in thirties London, who have been
living and loving for several years on a houseboat on the
Thames. When Leo's teenage sister comes to stay, their
cheerful Bohemian life is turned upside down.

Daughters

Several writers have recently explored the mother/dauchter
relationship, but until now, little has been written of the
father/dauchter relationship, one that is perhaps more complex and unresolved. Major American and British writers,
among them Doris Lessing, Mary Gordon, Alice Munro,
Adrienne Rich and Grace Paley, discuss their fathers and
how they shaped their lives.

~ ·. '

,'

i:

1

KRISTINA S. MAREK

Rosemary Curb, Nancy Manahan, eds., Lesbian Nuns: Breaking
Silence (Naiad Press, 19.95)

Attorney and Counselor at Law

We always knew there were lesbian nuns, didn't we? Now,
after centurie'.s of silence, the editors have gathered fifty
"coming out" stories told by lesbian nuns and ex-nuns. Told
with candor, warmth and humor, these women share their discovery of "particular friendships" and their sometimes painful
struggle to remain true to the Church and to themselves.
Many of the women's commitment to achieve humanitarian
goals remains as strong, but has been redirected into the
lesbian/feminist community. Photographs.

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

m

WJ_W

I
I

G

THIS SPACE FOR RENT

Phone 63, -1546

'

$10

EDWINA V. JOHNSON. D.D.S.
COMPREHENSI VE DENTISTRY
4912 S WESTERN
OKLAHOMA CITY . OKLAHOMA 73109
I

OPEN FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE
MON THAU THUR. 6:00 PM · 12·00 MIDNIGHT

SUNOAY 10-10PM

write:

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

I

Janice Radway, Reading the Romance: Women. Patriarchy and
Popular Literature (Univ. of N. Carolina Press, S7.95)
Examines the enormous popularity of romance fiction:
the readers and their romances, the act of reading, the ideal
romance novel, and the patriarchal implications shrouded in
the romances.

Th*' Celibate Woman provides a communication network amonr women who are interested in explorinr new and meaninrful ways of relating to others-including those with whom
they are intimate-rather than taking their affections in a
sexual direction. Published irrerularly, subscriptions are S4
per issue from 3306 Ross Place, N.W., Washington, D.C.

Bell Hooks, Feminist Theory: From Marsin to Center (South
Bnd Preas, S8.00)
Usinc examples that are close to home, Hooks strives
to imasine a feminist movement that encompasses the diversity of all women's experiences. Includes separate chapters on
Black women, men: comrades in opposition, educating women,
and parenting.

Aurora is a marazine containing material about science fiction and fantasy with a decidedly feminist bias. Subscriptions
are SB per year for 3 issues from P.O. Box 1624, Madison,
WI 53704.

Andrea Freud Lowenstein, This Place (Pandora)
An important first novel that recreates daily life in a
woman'• prison throuch the eyes of four women on both
sides of the bars.
Judith L. Weidman, Women Ministers (Harper & Row)
An updated and expanded edition of the collective of
firsthand accounts of clef'IYWomen workinc in parish settings.
Three new chapters discuss spiritual direction, healinc and
spirituality and community ministry.
Lynn V. Andrews, Jyuar Woman: And the Wisdom of the

Butterfly Tree (Harper & Row)
Continuing the story begun in Medicine Woman and carried throush Flight of the Seventh Moon, this sripping account shares Lynn Andrews' onroing quest for inner, knowledce and the power of women as expressed in Native American culture. In Yucatan, she encounters the mysteries of
ancient Mayan eoddesses and discovers the secrets of the
•Jquar Woman.•
Wendy Chavkin, ed., Double Exposure: Women's Health Hazanls on the Job and at Home (New Feminist Library, SlO)
Covers occupations such as nursinc. office work, electronics, farmwork and housework. The essays are rich in research, statistics, law and critical analysis.
Zillah Bisenstein, ed., Capitalist Patriarchy and the Case for
· Socialist Feminism (New Feminist Library, S8.00)
Fourteen provocative papers on the oppression of women in capitalist countries, coupled with three articles on the
subordinate position of women in two communist countries,
Cuba and China.

Ruth Mueller, The Exe of the Child (New Society Publishers,
S7.95)
A hauntinr tale of the future in which a six-year-old
IYP8Y rirl. abandoned on the outskirts of The Sprawl learns
that she can speak Bird. Living atop an abandoned rarbare
dump and communinr with the natural world, she shares in a
knowledre we have always had, yet never truly known.
Joanna Rorers Macy, Despair and Personal Power in the
Nuclear Are (New Society Publishers, $8.95)
A rroundbreaking work for overcominr the •psychic
numbing• which prevents us from coming to terms with the
real threats of nuclear and ecolorical disaster.
.IT'S AVAILABLE

Lesbian and Gav Issues: A Resource Manual for Social Work-

.m is available from the National Asociation of Social Work-

ers,

Inc., 7981 Eastern Ave., Silver Sprincs, MD 20910.

Attorney's Directory, published by Gay .and lesbian Advocates
and Defenders, a leral support rroup operating in the New
Bncland area. For copies, write to P.O. Box 218, Boston, MA
02112.

20008.

Connexions is a quarterly journal specializinr in Bnrlish translations of work from the feminist press outside the U.S.
Subscriptions are S12 from 4228 Telerraph Ave., Oakland,
CA 94609.
Minerva was established as an aid to networkinc for the
many croups and individuals concerned with some aspect of
women and the militar.y. Subscripsions are 130 for 4 issues
from 1101 S. Arlinrton Ridre Rd. #210, Arlinrton, VA 22202.
Women's Sports and Fituess is the official publication of the
Women's Sports Foundation, a non-profit corporation founded
in 1974 by a rroup of women athletes (headed by Billie Jean
Kinr and Donna de Varona) to encourace women of all ages
to participate in sports and work toward equality for women
in sports. Subscriptions are 112 for 12 issues from P.O. Box
612, Holmes, PA 19043.
Aegis provides practical information and resources on rape,
batterinr. child sexual assault, sexual harassment and other
forms of violence against women. Subscriptions are Sl0.50
for 4 issues from P.O. Box 21033, Washington, D.C. 20009.
Trivia publishes current non-academic feminist theory and
scholarship. Subscriptions are SlO for 3 issues from P.O. Box
606, N. Amherst, F.MA 01059.
Cassandra is the ' newsletter of Cassandra, a radical feminist
nurses' network. Subscriptions for 3 issues are S35 for
women in nursing; S25 for those not in nursing from P.O.
Box 341, Williamsville, NY 14221.
I

·'

I

The Natioia.l Women's Health Report provides clear and understandablfj' health care information for women of all aces.
Subscriptions are S18 for the monthly from P.O. Box 25307,
Georretown Stn., Washington, D.C. 20007.
Women in Business is the publication of the American Business Women's Association. Subscriptions are SlO for the bimonthly from 9100 Ward Parkway, P.O. Box 8728, Kansas
City, MO 64114.
The Childbirth Alternatives QuarterlY provides consumeroriented information on alternatives in childbirth, home birth,
midwifery and maternal/child health. Subscriptions are SlO
for 4 issues from Bin 62, SLAC, Stanford, CA 94305.
Women Artists News contains reviews, feature articles, resources of interest to women in the visual arts. Subscriptions are S8.50 for the bimonthly from P.O. Box 3304, Grand
Central Station, New York, NY 10163.
Women & Performance is the first journal to address performance from a feminist perspective. Subscriptions are S9 for
2 issues from 51 W. 4th St., Rm. 300, New York University,
New York, NY 10012.
The Feminist Teacher is a quarterly publication for teachers
from preschool to rraduate school. Subscriptions are S12 frm
Ballantine 442, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405.
Tradeswoman Mgazine is about women working in nontraditional blue collar jobs. Subscriptions are SlO for 4 issues
from P.O. Box 40664, San Francisco, CA 94140.
9-5 Newsletter addresses issues of concern to clerical workers. Subscriptions are S15-S20 for the bimonthly from 1224
Huron Road, Cleveland, OH 44115.



NEWSLETTER

HERLAND
r· e s

0

VOLUME l, NUMBER 7
JULY, 1985

USIC. IDEAS 'BLOOM' AT NWMF
by Marian Hulsey
It was our fifth year to attend the National

Women's Music Festival, held at the University
of Indiana at Bloomington, and, although I have
not attended any other women's music festivals,
I still contend that this one is different.
It is a weekend of "dreams come true";

of
music--three-hour concerts each night, three
hours of Showcase acts in the afternoon (for up
and coming artists), the open mike sessions going on throughout the day and after hours; of
workshops covering spirituality, creativity, wellness, the music industry, all aspects of sober .
support, relationships, third-world issues; of living in a dorm with excellent meals; of seeing
friends you've made at previous festivals and
meeting new ones; of expanding your levels of
consciousness almost to the point of overload.
One workshop I attended explored the question,
"Do I have to be in physical or emotional
pain to be creative?" The consensus was that
we can learn to create from positive rather
th n negative experiences, but that it takes retraining one's work habits. "You must create
from a positive self image," according to workshop leader Toni Herring, a sculptor.
A very metaphysical workshop, led by Jan
Whitely, explored "Reclaiming the Spiritual
Self," stressing that our real strength comes
from accepting diversity. "It is important to
find the things on which we can agree and then
accept diversity," said Whitely, continuing,
"There is no more radical act than taking your
own power, claiming yourself."
Novelist Lee Lynch and poet/teacher/essayist
Judy Grahn led workshops and autographed cop- ,
ies of their books. I attended both sessions of
Grahn's, the first being primarily a poetry reading and discussion of her works.
She paraphrased Sappho as saying that our culture is
what we have when we- have each other and
what we will never have if we don't have each

SISTER
u r c e s
0

BERLAND SISTER RESOURCES , INC.
1630 N.W. 19, Oklah
City, 0 73106

other. Sappho believed (600 B.C.) that death
. was "falling out of the House of the Muse. "
In the lecture hour that followed the readings,
we moved outside (the auditorium was too cold)
and Grahn enlightened the group on many of t he
things we do and like, i.e. the color purple (signifying high spirituality, transformation), t he
amethist, which raises vibrations of spirituality,
opals do the same. Wearing a ring on your little
finger comes naturally because the left little
finger was named for Mercury, a gay god.
Fairies wore green and their favorite day of t he
week was Thursday, their favorite holiday, Halloween.
r.
Certain tribes of American Indians had gay t raditions, in which high offices were held by both
gay ~ud lesbian priests.
There was crossdressi~ and it was considered good fortune to
have shch a person in the family. A child could
choosJ which role to take on (male or female).
From this came the Ceremonial Dyke. The Indians also believed that being gay meant t hat
there were two people in one body and therefore, imbued with special powers. Grahn's books
Another Mother Toyue and The Highest Apple
explore these and other traditions in great detail. She teaches Gay and Lesbian Studies . at
New College of San Francisco, and women's
writing at Mama Bear's
Coffeehouse in
Berkeley/Oakland.
The Festival's Main Stage was opened by
Ronnie Gilbert, accompanied by Adrienne Torf.
They had not rehearsed and it took several
songs for them to get together, but once t hey
did, it was a good segment. The energy level
was not that of the Gilbert/Holly Near concert
in Dallas last fall, but that would have been
asking too much. Gilbert is broadening her musical repertoire, as a result of her tour and r ecord with Near, and she brings such a social
consciousness to the "message" songs she
shares.
(Continued on page 3)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor:

Dear Editor:

We are the world. We are the children. We are the
ones who make a better day. The key word is
"WE," and all of us together make WE. Herland
Sister Resources, Inc., offers women in Oklahoma
and surrounding areas a chance to come together
and form the WE that is needed to make a better
day.

We have come to a time in our society when alcohol c ons umption is not only the norm, it is expected. Social gatherings, parties, picnics, sports events,
etc ., are all "appropriate" places to drink. This letter is intended for those women who feel they consume more alcohol or drugs than they really want
or intend to.
If, when you honestly look at your drinking pattern, you find that you get drunk more often than
you want, or you drink much more than you intended, it is time for you to take charge of your life
and your habits.
If .YOU are experiencing "blackouts," mental lapses
while you are still awake, or if you are experiencing changes in your behavior while drinking that
cause you humiliation or embarrassment, there is
something you can do to help you get rid of your
desire to drink.
My hope is that this letter makes you think and
look deep within for the honesty and courage you
will need to objectively look at yourself and your ·
drinking pattern. If you think there may be a problem, quit for 30 days and see if your attitude and
life improve. If you have tried to quit, but were
unable to, please write to me through Herland.

This is no laughing matter--drinking too much can
kill you, and some throughtful introspection may
save your life.
J. L.
Oklahoma City

HERLAND COFFEEHOUSE
presents
MARY

BLACK

for your entertainment
Friday, July 26, 1985
8:00 p.m.
Herland Sister Resources, Inc.
1630 N.W. 19
Oklahoma City

Publisher:
Editor:
Typesetter:
Advertising:
Circulation:

Herland Sister Resources, Inc.
Elaine Barton
Marian Hulsey
Kris Marek, 521-8434
525

Herland
has grown from Herland Bookstore and
s everal musical events a year, to Herland Sister
Resources, Inc., with a monthly coffeehouse and
musical guest. We now also offer workshops and
special events throughout the year, designed to
help make a better day.
HSR has and will always need your donations, but
equally important, HSR needs your ideas, resources
and attendance. HSR is here to benefit all who
wan~ to make life better and more enjoyable.
In
order for us to do so, we must have your imput.
We need to know what events you would like to
see HSR sponsor.
For us to know what you want, you must tell us.
If you are like most people, you're too busy to sit
down and write a letter, containing your suggestions, and far to busy to mail it. To make your job
, a little easier, listed below are activities in which
you might en.ioy participating. Place a check in t he
blanks that interest you, tear it out and mail it to
Dona Williamsen, HSR, Inc., 1630 N.W. 19 OKC
OK 73106.
.
'
'
I am interested in:
Lesbym 'parents support group
_
_
Wompn's health workshop series
_
Other educational workshops (specify)
_
Special musical/ cultural events (specify)
_
Monthly women's poetry night
_
Okla. women's retreat
_
Travel to music festivals, N.O.W. Conference,
W.A.N.D. Ribbon Wrapping Ceremony; others
(specify)
_
Exhibition for women artists
_
Camping, canoeing, skiing (snow, water), swimming, hiking trips; scuba diving expedition;
softball (game or team); other sports activities (specify)
Your ideas:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-

PLEASE USE ADDITIONAL SHEET IF NEEDED
There are many ways you can contribute to worn"
en's causes and equality. HSR has many needs and
plans for future growth. Your suggestions and ideas
in these areas are needed. Everyone who contributes, whether it be money, time, resources or
ideas, is helping to give women something to be
proud of and a place to go and be relaxed and
free.
Dona W.
OKC

(Continued from page 1)
Ferron f ans were t hrilled by her performance,
but I still don't like her voice. She writes great
music and I know I am in the minority, but her
"Bob Dylan" voice gets in the way of my enjoying her songs.
Linda Tillery has a great voice, but
presence has not loosened up any.
many songs from her new album, and
treat of her set was getting to see
J uli Homi on keyboards. She's a fine
ci n.
June Millington also played
backup.

her stage
She sang
a special
and hear
jazz musiand sang

Fridajr night's emcees were Alexander & Noelle,
a twosome from Chicago who sang at Showcase
last year. They do quite a bit of comedy, but
when they settled down to music, it was very
good.
Unfortunately, Tricia Alexander has
decided to strike out as a solo act.
Saturday's opener was Toshi Reagon, with very
political songs delivered in a good voice, and
excellent guitar playing. She also sang with sever 1 other performers. Reagon (pronounced Reegon) was also a Showcase performer last year.
J une Millington--so nice to look at and listen to.
A little more electronic sound that I like, but a
great performance. June is also a fine producer
of women's records.
Then, the act I was waiting for on this night-Alive!, minus Carolyn Bandy, plus Stacy Rolls on
horns. I am always taken aback by changes in
accompanists, groups, etc., but this is one
addition that really adds a nice sound. This was
t he fourth time I have seen Alive!, plus viewing
them on the Arts Channel's "Women in Jazz"
se ies, and their blend just gets more complimentary. Rhiannon appeared in a dress with a
dropped waistline, and she spent the whole
evening tugging at hip sash. (Performers should
always wear all actual show clothes at several
rehearsals, so they will get used to it. Old trick
from speech training days.)
The evening's emcee was Robin Tyler who also
did a short comedy routine. She used to be my
very favorite, but she was not funny at NWMF
in '83, at least not to me. She was better this
year, although she did use stories she had told
before "Never a Bridesmaid." It seems to me
that she has not kept ·current. She looks different--a little heavier, her hair not as becoming. She had just come from the Southern Festival and was glad to come among those who
were "rustically challenged." Maybe I am the
one who has changed.
Sunday's concert was begun by a new-to-me artist, Beth York, who accompanied vocally and
on piano, The Wright Dance Company. York's
music was very different from the rest of the

festival's performers, but extremely interesting
and beautiful. Her soft, southern accent seemed
reflected in some of the sounds from her piano.
The dancers were also good, seeming to be a
part of the music itself. The dance company is
based in Bloomington and York in Georgia, but
the two expressions were very complimentary.
I cannot say enough about Kate Clinton.
Appearing with a "new" haircut, bleached part
of front and a little squiggle on the side,
looking as provocative as ever, she mesmerized
the audience at an afternoon Showcase, and on
the Sunday night Main Stage. Her humor was as
current as that very afternoon, with, "One of
the · collections going around is for the
Bloomington Land Fund. Yes, we are going t o
bay the University of Indiana. Now, wouldn't
yo~ just love to own a piece of Read Hall?"
One of the funniest things that occurred was
when Kate asked, "How many of you watched
the inauguration?" and not one person in the
500+ audience had seen it. She was flustered,
started laughing, looked at her list and recoyered. She was hot! Although many of her jokes
are even funnier if you were brought up in a
Catholic background, there is enough commonality to make even those jokes funny. She was
introduced as "someone I wish had been my high
school Englishr. teacher." Wouldn't we all!!
Serving as ~mcee and sharing several of her
characters was Judy Sloan, who has revived the
oral tradition · of storytelling. She says, "I gave
birth at~ age 23 to an 85 year old woman,
So~hie, find I think there is a Sophie in each of
us.
:.,
The final act of this year's festival was
Casselberry and Dupree, a duo who performed
last year to enthusiastic fans. They seem to be
concentrating so heavily on their political
essages, acceptable to all when sung but
bordering on too much when spoken between
songs, that they have lost some of the moment um they started a year ago with this particular
f an. They "do" reggae about as well as it can
be done, but somehow their act this year did
not have the appeal it did last June. They advertise that their music comes from many parts
of the America they have experienced as Black
women, but it did not come out sounding like
different experiences, different sounds. I was
sorely disappointed.
Toshi Reagon sang with
them on several numbers.
Maybe it is because there was no concert that
a bsolutely bowled me over as in years past, but
I did not come home with that feeling of emot ional overload.
Maybe that's good. It was
ereat, I learned a lot and I will certainly go
back every year. Maybe I'm just growing up in
this new life.

--~--------------------------------------·--

COMMENTS FROM FESTIVAL NEWGOERS
I was one of several women from Oklahoma who
attended the NWMF in Bloomington. My outlook
may vary from others because this was my f irst
Festival.
I was enthralled. The residents of Bloomington
opened their doors and their community to this
event and the women attending. My lover and I
walked the streets comfortably holding hands. I
have never felt so safe.
The University was beautiful. The one fountain
on campus depicted the "Birth of Venus." . It
seemed as though the University was made for
women. Maybe that's why the Festival fit so
naturally in this environment.
I would recommend this Festival to anyone in
any fiQancial status. It cost me less than $200
for a full pass, dorm for three days, gas
(divided among four persons), food and t he
experience of a lifetime.
Craftswomen from all over the country were
present with sliding scale prices for jewelry,
clothes, crafts, books, periodicals, etc.
The musicians and comedians were all at th ir
best. I saw for the first time June Millington
Alive!, Ronnie Gilbert, Robin Tyler and many
others. They also interacted easily with folks
during the entire Festival.
Next year, consider this Festival for a few days
of entertainment for yourself and family. You
may want to contact Herland about getting in a
· caravan and pooling resources.
See Ya There ...
Laura Choate
We drove and drove and drove. Then it happened. Many of my friends had told me that it
was an experience I would long remember; something for which I would plan year after year.
We were in Bloomington, Indiana, at the National Women's Music Festival.
The campus was breathtaking! Trees grew so
tall that grass flourished under them. Trees of
all kinds reached up to the clouds. A bjOok ran

Cassia A. Mealor, M.S.

down, around and through the campus. Wooden
bridges let you cross at will, built strong and
enduring. Squirrels, chipmonks and rabbits call it
their .home and their playground. I stood in
calm serenity, breathless·~
It only seems natural that the NWMF be held

there. Women of all races and nations gathered
in a spirit of peace and love to share a part of
themselves.
Not only were we all entertained by such greats
as Ronnie Gilbert, Ferron, June Millington,
Alive!, Robin Tyler, Kate Clinton, Casselberry
and DuPree, and Linda Tillery, but many artists
also held workshops. We also had the good fort une of meeting and speaking with the artists.
The NWMF is a place of learning and of sharing ourselves and what we have learned. Like
the surroundings, the women blended together in
harmony.
T e NWMF is held every year and should be
included on everyone's priority list. You will
leave exhausted and yet filled with a warm
glow that will light your dreams until the next
year.
Dona W.
OKC

when i think of comfort or of love
your ha?,ds ·are the only hands
and youf breasts, the only breasts
the musi c of your voice is the wings
of my spirit
and the many lights in your eyes weave
my days together day
after day after
day and
your face is home
thistle
Fayetteville, AR

HER LAND SISTER RESOURCES , I NC.
. .. a specialty center for women

Counselor
Resource Librar y

Monthl y Ne w sletter

Educational Publi c Program s

Books. Mus ic. Art Sales

Cultural Events

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

w.

(405) 524-3017

Counseling and Referral s

SAT. 10-6, SUN . 1- 6
1630 N.W. 19 ST., OKLAHOMA CITY

ACCIDENT DIVIDES MINNESOTA FAMILY
For four years, K.T. and S.K., 28, lived together in a lesbian relationship. They bought a house on Briggs Lake near
St. Cloud, MN, and took out life insurance on each other.
Then, on Nov. 13, 1983, their lives changed suddenly when
S. suffered brain damage and was left quadriplegic after a
car accident, caused by a drunken driver. Now, their relationship and who should supervise S's care is at the center
of a hotly disputed legal battle between K. and S's parents.
The parents questioned K's daily involvement with S's care
and wanted to limit her visiting hours, so K. filed for auardianship. K. then "came out" to S's parents and the dispute
became embittered. S's father denied his daughter's lesbianism and accused K. of being "sick" and "crazy." A Sherburne County District Court judse later awarded custody to
S's parents, with the provision that K. be granted "equal
access" to visitation and medical staff consultations, and
that S. remain in St. Cloud. During this time, K. taught S.
to communicate with an electric typewriter. After lying
comatose for four months, she seemed to be making remarkable progress towards a partial recovery, In September, the
family filed successfully to have her moved to Duluth,
where she quickly regressed. K. continues to fight to get S.
moved back to St. Cloud.
-from Equal Times, reprinted in L.C., Vol. 8, No. 1
PROTECTING OURSELVES AND OUR LOVERS
In reference to (the above news item), K. obviously believes·
that the loving doesn't stop when the going gets tough!
Good for you, K. If put in that position, I can ontY pray
that I would have that kind of courage and patience.

knowing that you wanted to be cremated with your ashes
spread amonr some place special to the two of you, but
having no 8ay if your parents want a traditional burial
somewhere else.
Why take a chance? Be sure that your partner won't be
left with nothing, except for maybe a few unpaid bills for
the property that may end up going to your family.

Bozeman, MT., from L.C., Vol. 8, No. 1
FORESIGHT CAN BE 20/20. TOO
I would like to comment on the above articles. I live in
one of the most conservative states in the nation. My
family is old school Southern Baptist. If I were to be
incapacitated or die, they would probably react very
similarly to the above.
I

I do not want to be kept alive by artificial means, nor do I
want to be in a nursing home, should I not be able to care
for my own needs.
I strongly urge all Oklahoma lesbians to look into a Will
and a Living Will and name the person of your choice as
~cutor of your estate and your living needs. You may
feel you do not have enough personal possessions to warrant a will. Take a few moments to inventory these things
and what your personal needs are. You may find a great
value to your peace of mind is just as important as making
sure things are taken care of to your satisfaction rather
than your family's.
Laura Choate
OKC

A lot of this grief and at least some of the $30,000 in legal bills that K. has incurred so far could have been avoided if the wimmin had had a legal document stating the desire to be responsible for each other in case of an illness
or accident. You probably have furniture, vehicles, land, a
home, etc., that have been purchased together. If both your
names aren't on the title, or if the purchase isn't made
through a joint checking account, and there is not a will
stating that your partner is entitled to that property
through partnership--it can end up going to your family.
Laws vary from state to state, but a "Right to Die" document is becoming more popular every day. You need to let
your family know how you feel about being hooked up to a
machine. Othei-wise, all your partner can do is watch your
death being prolonged. Name a contingent executor, someone
who knows both of you and will speak for you in case the
tragedy involves you both. She can fight for your right to
die because you have given her that power. Sounds rather
messy, right? Well, it happens every day, in every lifestyle.
We are considered single wimmin, so we need to let our
families, friends, lawyers and doctors know how we feel on
legal matters. Without a "will," the responsibility of a single
womyn belongs to the parents, including disposal of the
body. Think about how helpless your partner would feel,

~

SHATZY WATSON

.,~ ~._of' ~e:,

~-~ ~~ ~~
~\; ~' ~~~ p 0 BOX 10472
.A~ ~"
MIDWEST CITY
l\v-~~..:OKLA.
73140
~ ~o
PHONE: 737-7487
•

I

I

,

(

ALPHA PAINTING
i'

Commercial - Residential
900 N. FRETZ
EDMOND, OK 73034

P:D. REYNOLDS
( 405) 341 ·9492

PAULA HARDEMAN
( 405) 524·0868

• E•tate Liquidations • Appraiaau -

1008 N. May
942-0124

C5olb

After 6 P.M.
524-3073

8Hurr

[u.etnm alrwrlry & lrnthrr flrsign
\Iµ .l..ppoinhnrnl ©nlµ'

1403' 323 -83 .:!4

1507 N.11. 281~ @itrrrl
~kla~oma C:itµ, ©klahoma i'Jl06

HERL ND NEWS
It's official--Herland is very pleased to announce
our non-profit status under section 501(c)(3) has
been approved. Thanks to Kris Marek, our legal
counselor, for her outstanding work and many donat ed hours. Over the past six months we have
done the groundwork for an organizational structure
which should prove accessible and responsive to
the public; flexible and functional enough to provide a base for service for many years to come.
The support from our community has allowed us to
maintain activities and expand. Thanks to everyone
who supports our programs with your good words,
smiling faces, suggestions and criticisms. If you
haven't already done so, consider getting involved.
We need you.
To our newsletter readers, beginning with the last
issue, we added "Address Correction Requested: Return Postage Guaranteed." For each return we are
charged $.30, in addition to the 12.5 cents initial
postage. To insure your newsletter reaching the
right place, please let us know if you move. You
won't miss a single issue and you will save us
money.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS

NEW

ADDRESS~~~~~~~~~-

OLD ADDRESS_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

DATE(S) EFFECTIVE_ _ _ _ _ __

WOMEN EXPLORE DISCRIMINATION ISSUES
The following outline is taken from the homophobia workshop
conducted by Suzanne Pharr, Director, Arkansas Women's
Project, May 4, 1985.
Manifestations of Internalized Homophobia:
Aversion to nurturance, of yourself and of others, · f
, ,,::,.:/ ., _, and from others to yourself
Self-critical and low self-esteem
Pear and terror (of bodily harm, economic, loss of children,
family, friends ... )
Self-oppression and oppressing others
Passing as straight and pretending to be eomone you're not
Self-silencing
Destructive relationships
Additions - drugs, alcohol, food, etc.
Suicide
Pear of success
Settling for less
Unrealistic demands of ourselves and of others
New stereotypes/reverse stereotypes (PC,PI, butch, femme,
·etc.)
Invalidation of our social roles (in caretaking professions)
because we're lesbians
Owing society more than our share/Seeking outside permission to live
Horizontal hostility toward each other and internal hostility
toward ourselves are misdirected anger
Avoidance of intimacy
Cutting ourselves off from straight women
Internal (community) prejudice
Withholding support for each other because of our diversity
Depression and stress, displaying protective body language
Statements Whicli are True F'or All Lesbians:
We are very' diverse
We have a ~ame sex orientation
We are all women
~, ·of us live ordinary lives
We icJentify with other lesbians (?)
We ~ave commonlities with other women
We iill live in a homophobic world
Solutions to the Problems of Internalized Homophobia:

HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES, INC.
announces
our next Collective meeting
Open to Public
j.11\..P- -<,....., ,..-~c

.1

6:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 1•1.•°"'"" Q~ 55 \\ ~\.P"
at Herland, 1630 N.W. 19
Call 524-3017, 946-5395

TERRY COCON, Representative

A.LWIWAMS
1330 N. Classen Blvd.,
ilG-5
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(405) 232-9806
A.L. llLLIAMS II A CO-OP OF INDEPENDENT BUllNEISMEN AND ~OMEN
MARltfTINC LIFE INSURANCE A•D OTHER FINANCIAL PROOUCH
1..,,~acnt11"I Maa.uclw•f' t U
Lil• Comp.a.ny
le&~

''*"'"''' *

OU.en, A.U.,ua

~111

Learn our lineage-either the line of women in our family,
or our lesbian heritage
Talk about how we would like to be, as a community and
interpersonally
Set personal, freemg goals/Push the limits (of our
expression of ourselves as lesbians)
Build family, community, coalition. Create HOME: safety and
acceptance
Establish a lesbian presence
Build strong, healing, nurturing relationships/ friendships
Create space for ourselves
Organize events to bring lesbians together--events that af.
firm us
Do public education/internal education
Form support groups/political action groups
Build coalitions with other oppressed groups-connected oppressions
Re-tribalize, seek lesbian role models
Share our stories
Share energy, resources, skills, needs...
Create/reclaim rituals and celebrations to meet our needs
for support and acknowledgement
Find allies and supporters
Rehearse for facing homophobia
Self-educate ourselves about our diversity
Develop strategies for defense

ACTIONS FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
There's plenty happening in commemoration of
the 40th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima
and Nagasaki. Large activities in which you can
pa11ticipate include: 1) the Pantex Pligrimage,
August 3-9, an encampment outside the Pantex
Plant, contact Nathaniel Batchelder at 524-5577 or
Rex Friend at 232-2512 for information; 2) The
August Desert Witness, a non-violent witness at the
Nevada Nuclear Weapons Test Site near Las Vegas,
contact 702-646-4814; 3) The Ribbon Wrapping of
the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Sunday,
August 4, contact Lillian Pawlik at 514-5577. (from
Scissortail)
CONFERENCES
Southern Women: Portraits in Diversity. Tulane University, New Orleans. September 26-28, 1985 ... with
Florence Howe and Toni Cade Bambara. For inform tion, call the Newcomb Women's Center, 504-8655238, or write Beth Willingen, Newcomb Women's
Center, Newcomb College, New Orleans, LA 70118
New Jewish Agenda National Conference, Ann ·
Arbor, Michigan, July 18-21, 1985 ... will be addressing the "most troubling issues of our time" 'in a
progre~sive way. For information, write 149 Church
St., #2-N, New York, NY 10007
Women and Technology, Portland Oregon, August 3,
1985... will focus on workplace technology such as
electronics, information processing and telecommunications. For information, write P.O. Box 40244,·
Portland, OR 97240
Racism in the Americas, Cape Cod, August 21-25,
1985 ... sponsored by the Union for Radical Political
Economics. For information, write URPE Conference, 155 West 23rd St., 12th Fl., New York, NY
10011 (212-691-5722)

WHYPPERWILLOW WOMEN SEEK OTHERS
Wbypperwillow is 320 acres of meadows and woods,
with seasonal springs and a creek running through
the middle of the land to the waterfalls. There is
one central year-round well, no electricity, no
plumbing. One main rough and rocky road leads
down into the hollow and lots of new and old
paths can be found. Access may deter some. While
offering a sense of "other worldness" in her isolation, Wbypperwillow is only about 7 miles from Eureka Springs and 35 miles from Fayetteville, Arkansas. Both offer opportuniti
for employment and
city socializing.
Wbypperwillow is seeking other wymin to join her.
No specific "rules" or "conditions" exist that one
must complete to be eligible for membership. We
ea ch have our own interests and needs regarding

this land. We feel a magic here and look forward
to the journeys of other wY111in as they spiral their
ways here and home.
Wbypperwillow Wymin, Route 1, Box 198, Eureka
Springs, AR 72632
WOMEN'S PROGRAMS AT ROSE STATE COLLEGE
The Office of Women's Programs at Rose State
College, 6420 S.E. 15th Street, Midwest City,
seeks to provide a support system for students new
to college or those re-entering the academic environment. Special services provided include counseling on class schedules and role conflicts, information on study skills and career selections, and special seminars and classes designed to meet the
needs of women on campus.
For additional information, contact the Office of
Women's Programs, Administration Bldg., Rm. 106,
or call 733-7389.
A CLOSER LOOK AT "DOUBLE TALK"
Review by Sara Miller
Singer/songwriter Gayle Marie has released her
second album, "Double Talk." For those already
enchant ·e d by Gayle's lyrical voice and mellow love
songs, you won't be disappointed, but watch
out--"cause you're headed for a pretty wild ride."
1'

"Double Talk" 'i ncludes that blues-ballad "Love Triangle" and "Love's Sweet Song," but Gayle has also
wandered into the land of funk and jazz. The title
cut is an· upbeat cynical look at the double talk
that spotfts 'from the mouths of our nation's leaders.

f

...

"Versatile" is the adjective most often used to describe Gayle Marie. She is able to sing her love
songs with a poignant simplicity that can send shivers dancing up and down your spine, but then she
shifts into high gear and it's your feet that are
dancing.
·
Take Gayle's dare:
... come a little bit closer
... can't you taste the excitement?" You won't
regret it and that's not double talk!
"Double Talk" available on record or cassette order
from Herland, $8.98

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

BOOKS OP INTEREST
Fran Peavey, Heart Politics (New Society, 19.95)

J udy Grahn, Another Mother Tongue (Beacon Press, 116.95)

Teacher, comedian and social change catalyst Peavey of the
"Atomic Comics" tells of her encounters
with the fears and hopes we all carry inside us. Hers is a
journey of connections-with elderly tenants facing eviction
from their residential hotel, with alcoholics and street people
loncing for self-respect, with ordinary Americans awakening
to the threat of nuclear war, with Indians dedicated to
clean.inc up the Ganges River, with prostitutes in Banskok
worried about their children's education, with civilians caucht
in the tragedy of the Middle Bast conflict. Her tales show
us that we can respond to the critical issues of our lives
with humanity and humor.

Why is lavendar a 1ay color?

Who were the "manly hearted
women" of the Sioux Indians? What is the oricin of the word
bulldyke? Weaving tales of mythology, the occult, witch rituals and Indian tribal customs with her own personal history,
Grahn explores the roots of 1ay culture from ancient times
to today. Her own stories (in the military, in the gay bars of
the fifties) told to the memory of her first lover are witty
and startingly honest. (See NWMP article, page 1)

intemationally-to:ur~ng

Louise Brdich, Love Medicine (HRW, 113.95)
Brdich weaves this tale about the Kashpaws and the Samartines on and around a North Dakota reservation from 19341984. The lives and loves of this exiled people are keenly
and tenderly recreated.

Lisa Alther, Other Women (Knopf, 115.95)
Caroline Kelley discovers that Hannah, her confident and
successful therapist, is as strong, stubborn, determined-and
civing--as herself. If you liked Judith Roamer's AYIY!!!. you'll
find Other Women as compelling, but more fun.
Marge Piercy,

My

Also by Brdich, Jacklight, 16.95
Brdich, a Native American woman whose depiction of the
Midwest is broucht to life with keen vision; her poems conjure passion and macic.

Mother's Body (Knopf, 17.95)

Gloria Naylor, Linden Hills (Ticknor & Fields, S16.95)

Marge Piercy's tenth book of poetry features a powerful
sequence of poems to her mother. Poems of Jewish identity,
of nature and themes central to women's lives find the beautiful in the everyday.

Naylor, whiner of the American Book Award for The Women
of Brewster Place (14.95), returns with a novel about a
middle-class black community. "Naylor is not afraid to grapple with life's big subjects: sex, birth, love, death, lrief. Her
talent 1lows like beaten copper."
Washioston Post Book
World

Janet Kauffman, Places in the World a Woman Could Walk
(Penguin, 14.95)
Janet Kauffman's writing is bold, sparse and at times sensuous. _To quote from one selection, "My Mother Surrounded
Me," each story is a "hand-held charm." This collection of
short stories is now out in paper.
Ursula Owens, ed.,
(Pantheon, 17.95)

Fathers:

Reflections

by

Mary Renault, The Friendly Young Ladies (Random House,
16.95)
Originally published as The Middle Mist in 1945, Renault
wrote this bold and forthright novel at a time when few lesbian novels were ';in print. The story is of two modem young
women, Helen and Leo, in thirties London, who have been
living and loving for several years on a houseboat on the
Thames. When Leo's teenage sister comes to stay, their
cheerful Bohemian life is turned upside down.

Daughters

Several writers have recently explored the mother/dauchter
relationship, but until now, little has been written of the
father/dauchter relationship, one that is perhaps more complex and unresolved. Major American and British writers,
among them Doris Lessing, Mary Gordon, Alice Munro,
Adrienne Rich and Grace Paley, discuss their fathers and
how they shaped their lives.

~ ·. '

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KRISTINA S. MAREK

Rosemary Curb, Nancy Manahan, eds., Lesbian Nuns: Breaking
Silence (Naiad Press, 19.95)

Attorney and Counselor at Law

We always knew there were lesbian nuns, didn't we? Now,
after centurie'.s of silence, the editors have gathered fifty
"coming out" stories told by lesbian nuns and ex-nuns. Told
with candor, warmth and humor, these women share their discovery of "particular friendships" and their sometimes painful
struggle to remain true to the Church and to themselves.
Many of the women's commitment to achieve humanitarian
goals remains as strong, but has been redirected into the
lesbian/feminist community. Photographs.

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

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WJ_W

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THIS SPACE FOR RENT

Phone 63, -1546

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$10

EDWINA V. JOHNSON. D.D.S.
COMPREHENSI VE DENTISTRY
4912 S WESTERN
OKLAHOMA CITY . OKLAHOMA 73109
I

OPEN FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE
MON THAU THUR. 6:00 PM · 12·00 MIDNIGHT

SUNOAY 10-10PM

write:

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

I

Janice Radway, Reading the Romance: Women. Patriarchy and
Popular Literature (Univ. of N. Carolina Press, S7.95)
Examines the enormous popularity of romance fiction:
the readers and their romances, the act of reading, the ideal
romance novel, and the patriarchal implications shrouded in
the romances.

Th*' Celibate Woman provides a communication network amonr women who are interested in explorinr new and meaninrful ways of relating to others-including those with whom
they are intimate-rather than taking their affections in a
sexual direction. Published irrerularly, subscriptions are S4
per issue from 3306 Ross Place, N.W., Washington, D.C.

Bell Hooks, Feminist Theory: From Marsin to Center (South
Bnd Preas, S8.00)
Usinc examples that are close to home, Hooks strives
to imasine a feminist movement that encompasses the diversity of all women's experiences. Includes separate chapters on
Black women, men: comrades in opposition, educating women,
and parenting.

Aurora is a marazine containing material about science fiction and fantasy with a decidedly feminist bias. Subscriptions
are SB per year for 3 issues from P.O. Box 1624, Madison,
WI 53704.

Andrea Freud Lowenstein, This Place (Pandora)
An important first novel that recreates daily life in a
woman'• prison throuch the eyes of four women on both
sides of the bars.
Judith L. Weidman, Women Ministers (Harper & Row)
An updated and expanded edition of the collective of
firsthand accounts of clef'IYWomen workinc in parish settings.
Three new chapters discuss spiritual direction, healinc and
spirituality and community ministry.
Lynn V. Andrews, Jyuar Woman: And the Wisdom of the

Butterfly Tree (Harper & Row)
Continuing the story begun in Medicine Woman and carried throush Flight of the Seventh Moon, this sripping account shares Lynn Andrews' onroing quest for inner, knowledce and the power of women as expressed in Native American culture. In Yucatan, she encounters the mysteries of
ancient Mayan eoddesses and discovers the secrets of the
•Jquar Woman.•
Wendy Chavkin, ed., Double Exposure: Women's Health Hazanls on the Job and at Home (New Feminist Library, SlO)
Covers occupations such as nursinc. office work, electronics, farmwork and housework. The essays are rich in research, statistics, law and critical analysis.
Zillah Bisenstein, ed., Capitalist Patriarchy and the Case for
· Socialist Feminism (New Feminist Library, S8.00)
Fourteen provocative papers on the oppression of women in capitalist countries, coupled with three articles on the
subordinate position of women in two communist countries,
Cuba and China.

Ruth Mueller, The Exe of the Child (New Society Publishers,
S7.95)
A hauntinr tale of the future in which a six-year-old
IYP8Y rirl. abandoned on the outskirts of The Sprawl learns
that she can speak Bird. Living atop an abandoned rarbare
dump and communinr with the natural world, she shares in a
knowledre we have always had, yet never truly known.
Joanna Rorers Macy, Despair and Personal Power in the
Nuclear Are (New Society Publishers, $8.95)
A rroundbreaking work for overcominr the •psychic
numbing• which prevents us from coming to terms with the
real threats of nuclear and ecolorical disaster.
.IT'S AVAILABLE

Lesbian and Gav Issues: A Resource Manual for Social Work-

.m is available from the National Asociation of Social Work-

ers,

Inc., 7981 Eastern Ave., Silver Sprincs, MD 20910.

Attorney's Directory, published by Gay .and lesbian Advocates
and Defenders, a leral support rroup operating in the New
Bncland area. For copies, write to P.O. Box 218, Boston, MA
02112.

20008.

Connexions is a quarterly journal specializinr in Bnrlish translations of work from the feminist press outside the U.S.
Subscriptions are S12 from 4228 Telerraph Ave., Oakland,
CA 94609.
Minerva was established as an aid to networkinc for the
many croups and individuals concerned with some aspect of
women and the militar.y. Subscripsions are 130 for 4 issues
from 1101 S. Arlinrton Ridre Rd. #210, Arlinrton, VA 22202.
Women's Sports and Fituess is the official publication of the
Women's Sports Foundation, a non-profit corporation founded
in 1974 by a rroup of women athletes (headed by Billie Jean
Kinr and Donna de Varona) to encourace women of all ages
to participate in sports and work toward equality for women
in sports. Subscriptions are 112 for 12 issues from P.O. Box
612, Holmes, PA 19043.
Aegis provides practical information and resources on rape,
batterinr. child sexual assault, sexual harassment and other
forms of violence against women. Subscriptions are Sl0.50
for 4 issues from P.O. Box 21033, Washington, D.C. 20009.
Trivia publishes current non-academic feminist theory and
scholarship. Subscriptions are SlO for 3 issues from P.O. Box
606, N. Amherst, F.MA 01059.
Cassandra is the ' newsletter of Cassandra, a radical feminist
nurses' network. Subscriptions for 3 issues are S35 for
women in nursing; S25 for those not in nursing from P.O.
Box 341, Williamsville, NY 14221.
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The Natioia.l Women's Health Report provides clear and understandablfj' health care information for women of all aces.
Subscriptions are S18 for the monthly from P.O. Box 25307,
Georretown Stn., Washington, D.C. 20007.
Women in Business is the publication of the American Business Women's Association. Subscriptions are SlO for the bimonthly from 9100 Ward Parkway, P.O. Box 8728, Kansas
City, MO 64114.
The Childbirth Alternatives QuarterlY provides consumeroriented information on alternatives in childbirth, home birth,
midwifery and maternal/child health. Subscriptions are SlO
for 4 issues from Bin 62, SLAC, Stanford, CA 94305.
Women Artists News contains reviews, feature articles, resources of interest to women in the visual arts. Subscriptions are S8.50 for the bimonthly from P.O. Box 3304, Grand
Central Station, New York, NY 10163.
Women & Performance is the first journal to address performance from a feminist perspective. Subscriptions are S9 for
2 issues from 51 W. 4th St., Rm. 300, New York University,
New York, NY 10012.
The Feminist Teacher is a quarterly publication for teachers
from preschool to rraduate school. Subscriptions are S12 frm
Ballantine 442, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405.
Tradeswoman Mgazine is about women working in nontraditional blue collar jobs. Subscriptions are SlO for 4 issues
from P.O. Box 40664, San Francisco, CA 94140.
9-5 Newsletter addresses issues of concern to clerical workers. Subscriptions are S15-S20 for the bimonthly from 1224
Huron Road, Cleveland, OH 44115.