HerlandVoice-1988-09-v5-no09_ocr.pdf
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HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES, INC .
2312 NW 39th, OKC, OK 73112
VOLUME 5, NUMBER 9
SEPTEMBER, l 9B8
Around the Corner
A FINAL WORD FROM
HERLAND'S FOUNDING MOTHER
MOORE , OK - The rumor that Barbara Cleveland is leaving Oklahoma is true . Herland's
founding mother will be attending graduate
sch?ol ~n Colwnbus , Ohio , and will no longer
reside in Oklahoma by the time this newsletter hits the stands and your mailbox .
At a farewell party given in her honor
recently , this is what Barbara had to say .
"I have given cred i t where credit's due
many times. When I wrote those stories in
the newsletter about the people who were my
she-roes , who hounded me about getting involved , they are here tonight sitting among
you .
"I think t his is a beautiful state, a
won~e~ful state .
It's a state that gave me
a vision and helped me find myself in the
women's movement and to find sisters, because it's difficult being a Black lesbian
anywhere, especially in Oklahoma. Those of
you who are lesbians understand that . I am
going to Columbus , Ohio, to graduate school
but I will always be an Oklahoman and I wili
always represent you . hopefully well. I
will certainly hope that you will work wi th
the board. They are working very hard and
have opened the new building .
"It is not MY books t ore. It is YOUR
bookstore. If you think about what it means
t o be a non-p rofit organi zation, it means
that you can give money to yourself if you
are a part of Herland and get a tax deduc~ion for it . That is very important.
That
is one of the things we need . I watched women's centers struggle because they were
having to deal with the bureaucracy , denying
too much of themselves in order to get money
to operate.
"We, as feminists, as lesbians, as women,
have many of the same concerns as everybody
else. We are concerned about rape. We are
concerned about racism. We're concerned about many of the 'isms' in the world. We
are probably the strongest, because we are
the most oppressed of people. They can't
move the mountain without us because they
are not as strong as we are.
"I'm encouraging you to involve yourself
in coalition, which is what Herland is
thinking about now. Please , support it by
buying books or whatever Herland has to offer. Please, help iierland, and I WILL be
back."
FEATURED ARTIST
A NEWCOMER TO MIDWEST
By Sondra Metzger
The following article is excerpted from a
telephone interview with Karen Williams done
in mid-August.
Comedienne Karen Wflliams was born in New
York City, moved to Los Angeles, makes her
home in the San Francisco Bay area (Berkeley
to be exact), and has never been to the midwest section of the country.
"I'm a big city kitty," Karen explains,
"who's looking forward to being in Oklahoma.
I need to have the experience. It's so different out here in the Bay area . It doesn't
mean you don't go through your homophobic
stops like everywhere else, but you do have
a tremendous amount of support within the
community . I know that every p1ace is not
San Francisco or Berkeley and to just come
•v
Continued on page 2
HERLAND FALL RETREAT
FOR WOMEN
Pre-registration ls $17 - . $20, b•sed on your abfl f ty to pay. Upon receipt of your
check, a map to the campsite and list of s uggested items to bring will be mailed
to you . Oeadllne for pre-regi s tration 1s September 9, 1988 .
Name(s ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Number of Pets
(Pets must be k-e-pt_o_n_l-eash
and no pets i 11 main bldg . )
i
Address
City
Zip
Phone
I would like a scholarship
hnount Enclosed
S_ _ _ _ __
I would like a work exchange
I will provide _ _ _ _ scholarship(sJ
I would like to lead a discussion group on
subject .
I would like to attend a group on - - - - - - - - - - - - subject and a possible leader is - - - - - - - - - - - - Things I liked at other retreats w e r e - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Things I disliked about other retreats
were---------------
Suggested solutions - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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UNITY
and have that feeling of unity, support, and
empowerment is real important . "
Karen began her career as a comedienne
four years ago by working in Black night
clubs. After performing at a few AIDS benefits, she found herself working a lot in the
gay and l es bi an community. Coming out as a
feminist, Karen feels that women supporting
women is a key issue.
Because her background is that of a writer, Karen performs all her own material.
She has also been a dancer and has done high
fashion modeling. The · new career was a way
to combine her writing and performing talents into one package .
"It was a natural evolution for me to go
from dancing where I'm with other peop 1e , "
she said, "to modeling, where occasionally
the focus is on me, to performing where it's
just me, a mike , and my material."
She credits a friend, now deceas~dr who
I would like to provide _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - for the Retreat auction.
I_
Mail to:
Herland Sister Resources
S Laura, camp Di rector
4924 s. Kathy
Olclahoma City, Oklahoma 73135
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continued from page 1
used to co-write with her, for giving her
inspiration while she's on stage. "This
friend had the best laugh," the 36-year-old
explains. "She's my inspiration, because
she had so much but didn't know it."
Karen likes to build up a relationship
with the audience when she performs and
bring it to a level of having compassion and
understanding; just a very deep sharing on
another level. She credits humor as being
good therapy for her and wants to share the
healing power she has found. It also keeps
her from going crazy.
"I'm a single mom with two sons, 5 and
16," she said, "and it's not easy bringing
up two boys with my limitations plus keeping
up with my goals and desires."
In describing the use of humor as therapy, Karen told of a situation in Minnesota
in which the director of battered women's
shelters in Chicago approached her and asked
if she .could go to Chicago and perform for
the women in the shelters. "I thought to
myself, 'Wow, what a challenge -- I'm not
sure I can take that on'," she said. After
thinking about it, the whole idea made sense
to her. Did she go? Find out in next
month's issue of the HSR Newsletter!
The focus of her goals and desires is
serious acting. Although hoping to get into
theatre, Karen is not eliminating television
altogether. She was part of a PBS show called "She-nanigans" which was about women
talking about women and was filmed in the
Bay area . She will also be heard rapping to
the beat on the next June Millington album.
"I hope I can live up to everyone's expectations in Oklahoma," Karen said. "I
know I'm breaking new ground, which is very
exciting to me as an artist . "
For those aspiring comediennes in our
audience, Karen had these words of wisdom:
"GO FOR IT! "
.
Karen will perform Saturday night, September 17, at the Retreat at Sequoyah State
Park . Singer/songwriter/l!llsician Nancy
Scott of Austin, Texas, will open for Karen.
If you have the time, come and experience
these two talented performers, and share in
the sisterhood of Herland's 4th annual Fall
Retreat.
We encourage the exchange of information, personal opinions on issues of con- _
cern to the Oklahoma women ' s community,
and your stories and experiences.
The editor reserves the right to edit
and condense letters according to space
limitations. Letters should be typed,
doublespaces and signed by the author(s).
Include your address and phone numoer .
If you wish to be published anonymously,
so indicate, but include your name, etc. ,
for our information, in case the editor
has questions.
Mail or deliver your letters to HSR;
2312 NW 39th, Oklahoma City, OK 73160.
Deadline is the 15th of each month.
PUBLISHED BY: HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES,
INC.; 2312 NW 39th; Oklahoma City, OK
73112 .
CIRCULATION: 700
GENERAL INFO : (405) 794-7464
672-4141
VOLUNTEER INFO:
528-0604
ADVERTISING: .
794-7464
DEADLINE on all advertising and submissions is the 15th of each month.
SUBSCRIPTIONS -to this Newsletter are free
upon requeSt.
A NN0 UNC E S
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HERLAND'S FALL RETREAT
at
SEQUOYAH STATE PARK
near Wagoner
SEPTEMBER 16, 17, &18
THE NEW HERLAND CENTER IS NOW OPEN:
SATURDAYS 10 AM - 6 PM &SUNDAYS l PM - 6 PM
at 2312 NW 39th St.
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NEXT COLLECTIVE MEETING:
September 25, 4:30 PM at
2312 NW 39th
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HERLAND FALL RETREAT TO SERVE
VEGETARIAN FARE
Herland's upcoming Fall Retreat will
featu re vegetarian chil i and burgers , red
beans and rice casserol for Friday night
dinner and Saturday lunch, prepared by
9ourmet vegetarian chef Chr is C. Famous
home-cooked meal chef Mary R. will be serving up a traditional breakfast Saturday
morning , for retreater s who wish to reserve all their retreat time for fun and
qames rather than preparing meals . For
"those of you who prefer to prepare yo ur
own meals, the well-equipped kitchen is
just the place to have at it, however remember to bring along the vittles from
home .
The nominal fee of $2.50 will buy any
of the meals prepared by Herland's chefs .
Laura, the Camp Director , reports that
there are 6 scholarships and unlimited
work exchanges available for anyone who
wants to attend the retreat, but has li.n1ited funds to do so. Just call her at •
672-4141.
Seasoned retreaters are looking forward
to Saturday evening's entertainment, as
they are now familiar with the quality with
•~hich Herland prepares this i111>ortant evening's events. A real treat is in store
for Herland's guests this Fall at Sequoyah
State Park, in the form-of comedienne Karen
~illiams (see associated story) and singersongwriter-guitarist Nancy Scott, who will
open for Ms. Williams. Hailing from Austin
Texas, where she enjoys a large gay following, Ms. Scott will balance the evening's
enjoyment with a musical performance that
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has been bi 11 ed as "great" by those who
have seen her .
Persons who would lik~ to see the evening's entertainment, but who do not wish
to retreat, may do so by paying $5 at the
door Saturday night.
Retreaters will wan t to bring wi th them :
sleeping bag or other bedding and a pillow ,
a flashlight, sporting equipment , campfire
goodies, musical instruments, some favorite dish for Saturday ' s Pot Luck dinner ,
food or cash for other meals , beverages ,
and toiletries. The family pet will be
allowed , but must be kept leashed and away
from the kitchen and main building. Compliance with these requests will insure
our pets' conti nued companionship at futu re
retreats.
So, get ready , set , go ... to Sequoyah
State Park in northeastern Oklahoma's beautiful "green country", and enjoy a good,
old fashioned get-away , i n the best of com·
pany! Fill out the attached Retreat Registration and send it in today!
OASIS COMMUN!TY CENTER
INVITES PARTICIPATION
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oasis C0111Tiunity Center invites anyone interested in the future
of Oklahoma's gay cOITlllunity to participate
in shaping its direction by becoming a volunteer. Volunteer training seminars are
held every first Saturday of each month at
10:00 A.M . at the Oasis, 2135 NW 39th St.
The Board of Directors meets every first
Thursday of each month. Center Director,
Continued on page 3
Continued from page 2
Darlene Burgess, invites anyone who wishes
to do so, to attend and get involved.
A women's rap group is planned for the
future . Information on the group may be
obtained by calling 525-2437.
Regular hours at the Oasis are: M- F
12 noon - 5 PM, M- Th 7 - 10 PM, F - Sat
7 PM til Midnight, closed Sundays.
OKC WOMEN'S SOFTBALL TEAM
HEADS FOR NATIONAL TOURNEY
OKLAHOMA CITY - A composite women's
softball team will be travelling to Kansas
City to represent Oklahoma City's gay com11¥Jnity in the seventh annual Heart of America Classic, a national gay softball
tournament to be held September 24 and 25.
The team consists of members from five
different OKC-area women 's teams .
Since the women are presently individually self-sponsored, several fundraising
activities are planned to raise the $1,200
necessary for entry fees, motel, and travel expenses .
The first activity was a garage sale
ileld August 27th . On September 9th, the
ball team will put on a benefit cabaret
show at King Arthur's, 2024 NW 11th .
There will be a $3.00 cover charge to benefit the team. On September 10th, a mini show will be taken to the Hi-Lo Club,
1221 NW 50th , and the Mainline, 4315 N.
~es tern .
Due to the amount of money needed , and
the short amount of time before the tournament , the team is also seeking donations
from COlllTiunity businesses and individuals .
The Olympians, the name the team has chosen for itself, will also raffle two tickets to the OU-Nebraska football game. The
drawing for the tickets will be held at
the Herland Fa l l Retreat September 18th.
You need not be present to win.
Thanks to Herland Sister Resources and
the Oasis Community Center, the exposure
and assistance needed to make this trip a
reality is evolving. Anyone who would be
interested in going to Kansas City for the
tournament or who would like to donate dollars to help pay team expenses may contact
Anita at 720-0721 .
Everyone is invited to attend one of the
cabaret shows, meet the members of the team
and have a good time. Any questions? Call
Anita at the above number.
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MCC SPONSORS SUPPORT G.ROUP
AND COUNSELING PROGRAMS
OKLAHOMA CITY - Christ the King Metropolitan C0111Tiunity Church has begun a series
of Support Group meetings . Four sessions
which met during the month of July dealt with
the various aspects of the "coming out" process and overcoming the problems associated
with that process. August meetings dealt
with the subject of "Homosexua 1i ty and
Christianity."
Both series have proven to be enlightening and of help to those attending them.
The group meetings have experienced a steady
growth in attendance.
"Self Esteem" will be the topic to be
discussed during the weeks of September 8-29
at Christ the King Metropolitan Corrmunity
Church, 1900 NW 12, in Oklahoma City. The
Support Group meetings are scheduled for one
hour and begin at 7 PM. Any and all persons
having an interest or a need in the announced subject matter are encouraged to attend.
Counseling will be available each Thursday evening from 6 - 9 PM. For appointments
call 405-521-8352 on Tuesday, Wednesday , or
Thursday from l - 5 PM. A sma 11 fee wi 11 be
required , or special arrangements may be
made for those needing financial aid.
Call 521-8352 for further information on
the Support Group meetings.
MCC SEEKS INPUT AS FESTIVAL
PREPARATIONS CONTINUE
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Metropolitan Community Church is in high gear in preparation
for their annual Fall Festival, to take
place on Sunday, October 23, 1988.
Conceived as a day of music , entertainment , craft shows, and just plain fun; for
and by the corrmunity. The event has been
sponsored by MCC for the last two years,
ahd has met with overwhelming success.
MCC is seeking in put from the community
to help make this year's festival the best
ever. Performers, craftpersons, and information booth staffers are encouraged to participate in the program and present ation .
If If you are interested in participating,
please contact MCC at (405) 521-8352 Tuesday,
Wednesday or Thursday from l to 5 PM .
COUPON
---....,
Capitol Hill Family Clinic
"'
·;;;
PAMELA S. HITI, D.O.
0.
General and Family.Practice
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Those of you who read last month's HSR
Newsletter article entitled "Senate Votes
to Allow Discrimination Against Gays" on
page 4 of the Newsletter, may have been perplexed by the asterisks next to some of the
congressperson' s names. "What," you may have
asked yourself, "do these mean?"
An error was made in not noting at the
end of the article that the stars denoted
House of Representative members who are co;pons ors of the federal Gay Rights Bill.
Sorry.
Greenwoo
-c
-c
OOPS! AGAIN
Office Ph. 632-5393
2817 S. Harvey
Hours:
Oklahoma City, OK 73109
8:30 am - 5:00 pm MTThF; 8:30 - Noon on Wednesday
BRING THIS COUPON FOR A 5% DISCOUNT ON ALL SERVICES
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3
LESBIANS TO HAVE THEIR
OWN NATIONAL MAGAZINE
Around the Country
WOMEN WIN JOBS BACK
WASHINGTON, DC - Three Black women emp1oyees of the Hyatt Regency and Marriott Hotels in Washington were fired for wearing
their hair in cornrows .
Pamela Mitchell, a reservations agent
with Marriott, had been given three written
warnings advising her to remove her braids,
wear a wig or face discharge. Cheryl Tatum,
a food and beverage cashier, and Cheryl
Pressley-Parahoo, a waitress, tried to reach
a settlement after being fired by the Hyatt
Regency through mediation by Rev. Jesse
Jackson. After the mediation failed last
September, a boycott of the Hyatt was called and endorsed by Jackson.
The three women filed complaints with
the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which found that the hotel administrations allowed other employees to wear
their hair in various fashions with impunity, only disciplining Black females who
chose to wear braids; "Cornrows are more
prevalent among Blacks than Whites and are
generally regarded as a Black cultural symbol. The hotels' refusal to allow employees
to wear the cornrow hairstyle adversely affects Blacks, because they nave a na1r texture and bistorical perspective different
from Whites."
The EEOC ruled that both corporations engaged in a nationwide pattern and practice
of discrimination against Black female employees and applicants, and that all Black
women so affected are entitled to full and
complete relief.
From Up &Coming, August, 1988 &
Arkansas State Press, 5/19/88
PREGNANCY/AIDS LINK
TO BE RESEARCHED
As of June 27, 1988, 1049 children less
than age 13 have been diagnosed with AIDS,
and many more are believed to. be seropositive for the virus. Approximately 80 percent of these children acquired the infection from their mothers. Transmission from
an infected mother to her newborn occurs
20 to 60 percent of the time, but the exact
·mechanisms of transmission during pregnancy
and birth are not known.
"Recently we have seen a sharp rise in
the numbers of AIDS-infected babies, especially among those born to Black or Hispanic
women who are drug abusers or whose sexual
partners are infected" said Dr. Anthony S.
Fauci, Director of the National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases. NIAID has
awarded three 5-year contracts totaling
$29.4 million dollars in a major collaborative effort to determine what factors influence transmission of human irrmunodeficiency
virus (HIV), the cause of AIDS, during pregnancy and birth.
Dr Fauci goes on to say, "These studies
will clarify the risks for pregnant women
who are already infected and will provide
an opportunity to educate the study participants about h ow to avoid infection in
themselves, their sexual partners, and their
infants."
The three institutions receiving funding
are Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston,
University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago,
and Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.
Data collected in this study will be used
to design improved prevention, diagnostic,
and treatment programs for women at risk of
HIV infection and their children.
AMES, IOWA - Lesbians around the United
States have been ignored in the media long
enough, according to a group of women here.
What they intend to do about it is begin
publication of a lesbian quarterly in October called The New Moon.
The idea for the magazine evolved during
a brainstorming session between several Ames
area women. Participants in that' early discussion lamented over the need for a networking tool for lesbians. They also pointed out the necessity, because of the differences between gay men and lesbians, for some
sort of independent, healthy identity to be
established for lesbians.
"We 1ooked around and rea 1i zed that as
lesbians we could read about things that affect us as gay people in the gay presses,
and about those things that affect us as
feminist people in the · peminist presses,"
said Claire Hueholt, editor, "but there is
really no place that we can gather information about the richness and diversity present in our own 'lesbian' community."
"We are not attempting to start a publication that will be simply a letter/informational exchange or literary publication!"
she said. "Those things are already available to lesbians . We want to cover the events and people who are constantly shaping
and reshaping our comnunity; we will ~lso
choose particular subjects to explore in
the journalistic style of an entertaining
feature or news magazine."
The New Moon is to be a non-profit, national publication for lesbians. It will
examine the lesbian community as a .positive
group with very unique interests and issues.
The magazine will include features, profiles,
travel, arts and entertainment, politics,
news, short stories and poetry, sports, and,
of course, classified and display advertising.
"We decided that although we have no seed
money, we have the enthusiasm and expertise
1;o pull this off if anyone can," she said.
"There is a group of about 15 women here
that have committed to do whatever it takes
to get this thing off the ground."
The first and only successful attempt to
. publish a lesbian magazine, was The Ladder,
which got off the ground in the late fifties
and survived for 16 years. Barbara Grier,
1 former editor of The Ladder and now the coowner of Niaid Press, Inc. the largest lesbian publisher in the country, said she was
extremely excited about the possibilities
surrounding the new lesbian periodical.
"The dearth of national lesbian media in
the magazine format is disgraceful. Economic and material considerations have lead
to a state where there are fewer such period; ca 1s in 1988 than there were in 1975," Grier
said. "In part, this is a commentary on our
growth and sophistication, but that is little
comfort to the young women who have no periodical home for their birthing consciousness
as lesbians."
But the Ames area women's dreams are not
without problems. To get the project out of
debt, they need wanen to begin subscribing
to the magazine and to advertise in it.
Hue ho lt said "I understand that many women
want to see the product before they sink hard
earned cash into a subscription or an ad.
But the bottom line is 'we need a few risk
takers.'"
For more information or to subscribe or
contribute works contact The New Moon at 2
! Kings Terrace, Ames, Iowa 50010 or call
' (515) 292-1972. Subscriptions are only $15
per year. Send your subscription request
in today, and obtain the first issue in October.
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GAY PLAY TO PREMIERE
WASHINGTON, DC - "More Than Names", a
new play based on the experience of the
NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, will have
its world premiere on Thursday, September
29, 1988, at New Playwrights' Theatre in
Washington, OC. Written and directed by David Lemos, fonner Producing and Artistic Director of the San Jose Repertory Company,
"More Than Names" is a poignant, yet often
humorous portrayal of a c011111Unity in the
midst of crisis.
One of many events sponsored by the San
Francisco-based NAMES Project in conjunction with the Quilt's return to the Capitol
Mall on October 8 & 9, the play chronicles
the creation of the quilt, culminating in
its emotional and dramatic inaugural disPlay in October 1987. Like the Qui l.t itself, "More Than Names" seeks to give a human face to AIDS, and thereby raise consciousness, compassion and contributions in
the ongoing battle against the disease
which, to date, has killed more than 39,000
Americans.
"The pl ay .is a past i che - in a way a
qu i1 t itself," says Lemos. "The source
material is the thousands of letters written by people who have made panels for the
Quilt, the conversations and stories tole
by staff members, volunteers, panelmakers
and people who have viewed the Quilt. But,
first and last, the main inspiration is the
' "t
Quilt itself."
In workshop for over five months '<9rior
to its Washington opening, "More Than Names"
comprises a cast of 12, all volunteering
their time for this proJect. All proceeds
from the production will go to support the
NAMES Project. The p y's opening night,
September 29, will be a fund raiser to help
offset production costs. Tickets for the
special opening night ~re $50 and inciude a
pre-show reception and post-show cabaret.
Playwright and cast wi 11 be. avail ab le for
interviews.
The New Playwrights' Theatre is located
at 1742 Church Street, NW, ~ashington, DC
20036. For tickets, call the Box Office at
202-232-1122 or 1-800-448-9009. Visa, MasterCard, American Express accepted.
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Potpourri
BLACK LESBIANS AND GAYS
TO HOLD CONFERENCE
WASHINGTON, DC - This city will host the
Tenth Anniversary Homecoming Conference on
September 30 through October 2, 1988, for
the National Coalition of Black Lesbians and
Gays .
The organization is this country's only
national organization designed to addres~
the needs and concerns of Black Lesbians
and Gays, and this event celebrates the
close of its first decade and the beginning of its second.
Some of the planned skills workshops
include: developing political strategies,
lobbying local issues, coming out to family
and friends, addressing homophobia in the
Church, defining women's/men's issues and
formulating strategies, responding to antigay and lesbian violence, supporting PWAs
and PWA care-providers, and more.
"It is indeed a victory for a national
Gay and Lesbian organization to have survived for ten years," says NCBLG' s executive director, Renee McCoy. "NCBLG has sur-
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IS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGING?
If you are planning to move, and you don't want to miss
any issues of the HSR Newsletter, please let us know your
new address BEFORE you move. The Post Office will NOT forward
the Newsletter, and Herland will NOT change your address without your authorization . Therefore, to insure receipt of the
Newsletter fill out and mail us this Change of Address form
BEFORE you move. The . form may also be used to add a new name
to the mailing list .
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~ame(s): - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - pld Address : ---=--=----------------~
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City: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- State: - - - -- - - - -- - --
Zip:
~ew Address: -----------------.,;-;'-,·'~
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City:
State: - -- - - - - - - - - --
Zi .p: _ _ _ _ __
Phone Number:
!Mail to:
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Herland Sister Resources, Inc.
2312 NW 39t h Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
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vived against incredible odds. This next
decade will be an even greater challenge,
requiring more commitment than ever before
fr om both the Black Lesbian and Gay community and the Gay and Lesbian corranunity atlarge ... This conference will be the beginning of a process which will make a serious
difference in our future . "
For more information or to make a contribution, contact : Renee McCoy; NCBLG;
19641 W.Seven Mile; Detroit , MI 48219;
313-537-0484.
A WEEKEND IN NEW MEXICO:
FUN, FALL, FEMINIST
Women in Movement in New Mexico announces
a celebration of women's music featuring
Teresa Tru l l , with a special appearance by
the Washington Sisters, at the Kimo Theater
on Saturday, October 8, 1988.
The weekend also offers one of the highlights of the Al buquerque International Balloon Fiesta. There will be mass ascensions
on Saturday and Sunday mornings. If you ' ve
newer been to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta ,
talk to someone who has - it is wonderful'.
So make plans now to spend the weekend in
Albuquerque.
A CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
For an anthology: In Our Own Voices Fat
Dykes ..... Break the Silence .
Fat dykes suffer from acts of physical ,
sexual, emotional, mental or verbal abuse
during our lives. We are ignored, isolated,
and victimized. We think that because we
are lesbians, things will be different, but
we are sadly mistaken . Our sisters must
begin to take responsibility for their ignorance, for perpetuating the standards of
society at large. We must talk to one another about our struggles, our anger, our
heal ing. Where do we get our strength?
How do we take care of ourselves?
Fat dykes of the world unite'. You have
nothing to lose .... So send your narratives,
essays , short stories, letters, journal entries, poems, cartoons, line drawings,
graphics or black/ white photographs to:
Toni L. Cassista
P. O. Box 2968
Santa Cruz·, CA 95063
(408) 423- 4734
.
Previous writing experience is not important. All accepted pieces will be published
i n the language in which t hey are written .
You may also hel p this project by making
contributions to fund the publication of
5
this book .
Please send a SASE with all contributions.
Deadline is January l , l 989.
A CALL FOR MATERIALS
Bisexual Feminists , come out wherever you
are!
Writings by Bisexual feminists, including
but not limi ted to those whose main cultura 1
and political identity and activity is within the lesbian/gay community and writings by
those femin i sts whose primary identities are
within other communities , are being collected by Lani Kaahumanu and Loraine Hutchins
for an anthology which will reflect the
growing visibility of the Bisexual Community .
All ages, classes, races, cultures, religions, people of color, other minorities and
the differently-abled are encouraged to respond.
Essays, articles, prose, interviews and
poetry wil l be considered .
Wri te Lani Kaahumanu at 20 ·Cumberl and,
San Francisco, CA 94110 or Loraine Hutchins
at 1113 Fairmont NW, Washington, DC 20009
for more information; or call (415) 821-3~34
by September 15, 1988.
Material deadline is October 15, 1988.
I
I
I
Meet The Board
Herland's Board of Directors consists
of 17 dedicated women. Each of these women has her own reasons, as well as common
reasons, for her involvement in the organization which is Herland.
Currently, the board members are: Terry
C. , Jean K., Ji 11 W., Pat C., Laura C.,
Karen L. , Margaret C. , _Kathy C., Cindy B. ,
Cindy L., Elyse A., Rhonda S., Jacque M.,
Carletta B. , and two new members as of August, Roxance G., and Sondra M. One vacancy
has yet to be filled.
Because Herland feels a commitment to
the women's community, it is appropriate
and desirable for the community to know the
women who give direction, set policy, and
raise funds for Herland. Therefore, with
this issue the Newsletter begins a series
of interviews with the board members: Introducing the Board. We begin with Herland' s equivalent of President, Sister I.
SISTER I:
MEET TERRY C.
By Sondra Metzger
A California native who moved to Oklahoma in 1975 with her significant other,
Linda, Terry went to school in Ada and
transferred to DU where she received her
bachelor's degree in political science in
1980. During the day Terry maintains a
7 AM to 3 PM job as a child care worker and
counselor. When time allows, she does financial services.
"I chose the counseling mainly to earn a
steady income," Terry explains, "and because I was qualified to do it. I had a
background in nursing and have been an emergency medical technician. I also worked
at Children's Hospital. It was an honor to
be asked to be a trainer for child care
workers, but my main profession is the financial services. I'm very committed to
that."
Terry enjoys working with children and
teaching others how to work with them . She
also enjoys the financial business because
it allows her the opportun i ty to show people how to figure out ways to save money
and how they can get good returns on their
money. As Sister I, she is hon i ng her
leadership skills and again working with
people .
Not to say Terry is taking her new position as Sister I lightly. She is very
committed to Herland and what it is trying
to accomplish.
"I have been looking forward to becoming Sister I," she said. "I didn't agree
to become Sister JV lightly. Before I was
asked, I thought very carefully about it
to make sure this was something I wanted
to do. Until I could answer yes, I never
took on more responsibilities than I
Thought I could handle. When the time did
come, I was ready and I had the commitment
in mind. When I committed to Sister IV, I
kn w I had committed to Sister I, because
that's the way the rotation goes, and I
wasn't going to start at Sister IV and not
go completely through. I look at this as
a learning experience of being a board member and being in an executive position. I
had never had the opportunity to do that. "
For those of you who do not understand
the officer positions at Herland, there is
Sister I, Sister II, Sister III, and Sister IV, roughly corresponding to president,
vice-president/secretary, treasurer, and
assistant treasurer. The rotation Terry
mentioned is this: Every six months the
officers are rotated and Sister IV becomes
Sister III, Sister III becanes Sister II,
and Sister II becomes Sister I. The past
Sister I becomes the Outreach Coordinator,
and a new Sister IV is selected. This
process allows a person to become familiar
with all aspects of the organization, thus
ensuring knowledgeable, well-seasoned
leadership. As Terry implies, it also involves long-term commitment to Herland and
its objectives.
Terry's hobbies include exercising,
lifting weights, and golf. Although a recent operation has limited the amount of
physical exercise she can do, she is looking forward to starting back into a jogg.
ing program as well.
Crediting Barbara Cleveland for getting
her involved in Herland, Terry explained
that she started by just buying books at
the store then moving up to volunteering
her time. It was a year and a half until
she took over the pos·iti on of Vo 1unteer
Coordinator and later Sister IV.
"Barbara is the most influencing factor," she explains, "because she has the
vision. She has the feeling in her heart
of what Herland is and she could look at
another person and see that they could
have that feeling and they would be the
next person to become a part of Herland
and keep it going."
Terry began going to board meetings
after Linda died. At the time she could
not comnit to more than that. She feels
that it's important that people take mental
stock of their capabilities and commitment
abilities at any given time. She feels
there's nothing wrong with saying that a
person can't comnit at this time as well
as saying a person can only commit to so
much and cannot go beyond a certain point.
She feels it gives everyone a good idea of
where that individual is and then they
know there must be a limit to their expectations .
It was at one of the board meeting that
~he met t he present love of her life,
Laura . They now share their home with two
Dobermans and two cats .
Terry would like to see Herland support
itself financially some day by excrowing
monies through an escrow account and to see
the newsletter support itself through t he
sale of advertising . She would also like
to see the retreats become an institution,
such that in order for a person to be assured a space at the next retreat, they would
have to register six months in advance. So
much of an institution that Herland knows a
year in advance where the next one will be
and people just send in their registration
and fees with neve r a second thought because
they have so much fun .
"I'm an entrepreneur," she said, "and I
believe in the free enterprise systenn. I'm
a capitalist to the core, economically, not
socially, and I believe that this is a business , and it can run like a business and
maintain itself as a business financially.
I'd really like to see Herland be an organization that succeeds, beyond the time that
any particular person is no longer a part
of it.
To insure the proper running of Herland,
Terry cannot stress too much the importance
of appointing committees . She feels the
work load for the board as a whole would be
lightened by committee work. She also feels
that Herland needs a more active volunteer
pool to keep people from becoming burned out
and to keep Herland alive. She sees her
role as being the one who keeps everyone on
track, the one with a clear picture of what
6
needs to be done.
"In the past," she said, "we've gone from
crisis to crisis, never looking at a longrange plan. Now, we're actually doing some
long-range planning and it's going to require some very stro19 committee work and
commitment . "
When asked what she sees for Herland's
future, Terry responded that she feels Herland needs to network more and encourage
people to participate_in Herland and get
Herland to participate with them. People
may drop by the Herland Center or come to
board meetings (the next of which is to be
September 25 at 4:30 Jiii, 2312 NW 39th).
She would like to see the inventory in the
store grow and include other items besides
books, albums, and tapes. She would also
like to see Herland sell self-help and
positive thinking books as well as strictly gay/lesbian material.
Asked what Herland means to her, Terry
responded: "It means a resource center
where primarily women can network and get
_an opportunity to run a business. I real- ly do think it's a business. It's an opportunity to get your feet wet and run a
business without all the negatives of having to run a business by yourself, such as
overhead and all the financial commitment.
It gives me a chance to run a business in
a collective type of operation, a non-profit operation.
' ··.
"It's quite an honor to be part !of a
non-profit organization . It lends some Kind
of satisfaction to my life to be able to say
that I've been a part of a non-profit organization, have been a board member, and have
been president of the board . What I like about this non-profit organization is that it
touches the lives of people I like t q see
touched and that's primarily women as well
al gay men.
"I see Herland as a place where people
can gather and learn and also build friendships. I think it's kind of neat, because
it's one thing to think about things and
another to actually do things that I've
thought about and can put into practice . I
love people and I love being around people,
and when you've got a goal ,1you see it being
accomplished. I see that'~ what Herland
does. Herland provides that foundation to
dream and then go ahead and bring those
dreams about . "
Thank you , Terry . Next month's i ssue will
feature Sister II. If you have the time to
spare, check into doing some volunteer t ime
at Herland . It doesn't take much; just a
few hours . Thin k about i t .
A SPECIAL THANKS TO SHATZY
Herland would like to extend a special
thank you to Shatzy W. for generously offering to make curtains for all the wi.ndows at
the new Herland Center. Thanks to this talented seamstress , the Center will be able to
maintain its sometimes-needed privacy. However, more "than that, it will present an attractive environment for its volunteers and
clientele. Thank you, Shatzy!
.$epf:ember f988
On this Labor Day -May we celebrate the achievements and contributions of working women.
May we, also, be con-
scious of the suffering which many women and
their families continue to endure as a result of
the mindless discrimination of tradition and
religious fundamentalism, and an unhearing
administration working to maintain the status quo.
Through unity , may we be inspired to continue
our struggle for equal rights, equal pay , and
freedom of choice.
Sun.
Fri.
Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs.
~at.
ee. Ft111 IJi l:e .5i~-fz>r~ D.t Sui~
7pm, llJOOt.JW/2 -Iii-Lo Club
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GOLDEN THREADS - a contact publication for lesbians over 50
and women .who love older women. Canada and the U.S. Confidential, warm, reliable. For free information send a
self-addressed envelop (U.S. residents please stamp it).
Sample copy mailed discreetly, $5 . 00 (U.S.). GOLDEN
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> Job counselor
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-~----------========================================::::t
(405)
946-6928
LET'S GET TOGETHER
''
366-0923
~
OKLAHOMA AIDS INFORMATION
1-800-342-AIDS
···~
r
I - - - - - - - - - - - - -1
YES! I want to be a Friend of Herland.
I My minimum donation of $12 allows me use otl
I the Herland Library and a 10% discount on
store purchases over the next 12 months.
HELEN HOLGATE
Certified AJcohollsm & Drug Abuse
Counselor
$- - -
$12
YES! I want to help Herland with a
donation to the New Bwilding Fund.
_$15
$20
$25
_$50
$100
$- - -
•
I would like to volunteer to work at
the Bookstore.
KE_MCO
PRINTING INC.
340·4301
I 1>1ould like to volunteer my skills to
help renovate Herland's new home.
I 60 I S. Broadway. Unit
o•
Edmond. Okla. 7:30 13
Name:
Address:
City:
St:
Zip:
848-6429
Telephone Number: (
Mail to: Herland Sister Resources, Inc.
SHIRLEY M. HUNTER, M.A.
2312 NW 39th
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
LICENSED PROFEISIONAL C:OUNSELOA
'-------------
PENN PARK OFFICE COMPLEX• SUITE 102
11G01 N PEN•YLVANIA •OKLAHOMA CITY. OIC 13' 12
8