HerlandVoice-1997-08-v15-no08_ocr.pdf
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August, 1997
LOOKING BACK
WRITE HERE! WRITE NOW!
by Pat Reaves
What were you doing on August 1, 1988?
On August 1, 1988, for the first time, Herland Sister Resources opened for business in our very own property at our
current location. This August, Herland celebrates 9 years of
operation at 2312 NW 3 9. Many hours of volunteer time and
many donations made it possible for Herland to open our current
location and to keep it open for the past 9 years.
The opening followed over two years of searching for the
right property and preparing the building to house Herland's
services. Herland had been operating in rented space in an old
store building on NW 19th. Members of the Her land collective
decided a move from the old location was necessary because of
the deterioration of the building and potential zoning problems at
that location as well as a desire for a more easily accessible
location.
The Herland Board ofDirectors made an offer to purchase the
property at 2312 NW 39th in September, 1987. The first hurdle
to the new building was the down payment of $3,500 that had to
be raised within just a few weeks of making the offer. The
Herland community came through and the down payment was
raised. The Herland Board of Directors entered into a five year
mortgage that would end with a balloon payment of $31 ,000.
Soon after the purchase was made, renovation work began.
That's when the second big hurdle to moving in surfaced. The
electrical wiring was in terrible shape and needed to be completely redone before the building could be occupied. These were
difficult times. For several months, Herland was essentially
homeless - we had moved out of the old location and the new
location could not be opened. The volunteers, Board and conununity preserved, keeping Herland alive with the newsletter, retreats and other events continuing even without a building.
Finally, on August 1, 1988 nearly eleven months after the
initial offer to purchase, Herland's new home was ready to be
opened to the public.
The story doesn't end there, though. There was still a balloon
payment to be made. As the time for the balloon payment got
closer and closer, Board members tried to come up with ways to
meet it. Finally a volunteer stepped forward and said what we
really need to raise the remaining $20,000 is 100 people to donate
$200 each and she set about helping find those 100 people.
Thanks to an incredible amount of support from this community,
--over $13,000 was donated in just 4 months -- on January 5, 1993
Herland made the $31,000. Most of it from donations and a small
amount in an anonymous loan from a member of our community
(Thank you, Ms. Anonymous, Her/and wi II beforever in your debt). The
next time you are in Herland, take a minute to look at the plaque
with the names of all those who contributed $200 or more to pay
off the mortgage. It is an impressive sight. (Continued on page 2)
Volume 15 Number 8
August 11 will see the first meeting of the Herland Writers
Circle; interested women working in all genres and at any level
of experience. We will meet with the purpose of sharing and
critiquing work, and with an eye toward eventual readings and
publication.
Please come, bring your writer's block or your work in
progress and help build a supportive, creative group in which we
all can grow. Monday 11 August at Herland. Coffee and snacks
provided. See you there! D
STRUGGLE FOR RIGHTS
by Margy Dillon
The twenty-first century is the time for the homosexual
rights movement. Only in the 1990's did a great number of
homosexuals come to realize that they deserved to have the same
rights as everyone else. I believe the collective consciousness of
society is beginning to realize that this is the time to let go of old
fears and prejudices.
In a way, it is a miracle that we even should come to this
realization. We have been taught since childhood from our
parents, teachers, and ministers that homosexuals are sick,
sinful, disgusting, and we shouldn't talk about it.
"At least have the decency not to tell your father." "If you
were a real woman you would have a husband." "Stay away from
my children." "Repent and turn away from this vile sin."
The rights we seek are the same ones that others take for
granted. We want the right to work without fear ofbeing fired for
who we are, to parent without the fear of having our children
taken away, to marry and enjoy the benefits this status gives
heterosexual couples. These are not special rights but basic rights
of every American citizen. Unfortunately, those rights have not
been recognized by our society.
Over the next 30 years, this will be our struggle. The history
of the civil rights movement and the women's rights movement
have shown that it takes this long to turn the tide and have some
measure of confidence that our rights will be protected in the
courts.
The court system will be our battle ground over the next
decade. We must take many cases to court in order to gain our
basic rights . This is why it is so important that we support groups
that fund tl1ese legal battles. Currently in Oklahoma City there
is such a group and it is the Legal Defense Fund ofHerland Sister
Resources. The fund's purpose is to provide financial assistance
in cases involving lesbian issues, community education, professional education and referrals as needed. Please help Herland
fight for your rights by making a donation to the Herland Legal
Defense Fund, 2312 NW 39tl1 Street, Oklahoma City, 01:<73112. D
Berland Sister Resources
2312N.W. 39, OKC, OK 73112
IN
REVIEW
By Ji/I Gamer
Since I'm a music lover, and the theme this month is what
gets us hot, bad music is my topic. What we hear on the radio and
what's available in many of our record stores is for the most part
far from the best music being made today . Actually, most of it is
some of the worst stuff I've ever heard and I marvel every day at
the fact that these people got record contracts (how?) and that
radio stations are participating in the experiment to see just how
much we can stand.
I'm not trying to be the taste police here. We all like different
kinds of music and that's what makes life wonderful. It just
makes me sad that what we're fed on commercial radio is of1en
so banal, and there is so much excellent music available. We
should demand better! No matter what kind of music we like,
what is played on the radio is designed to appeal to the lowest
common denominator. It's simple and catchy and played over
and over and over. .... and over. There are sooooooo many
extremely talented singers, songwriters, and musicians who are
overlooked and instead we get a lot of second-rate, if even that
good, music on the radio. I'm not blaming the artists themselves.
I've read the horror stories of the pressures they're sometimes
under to release something on the record company's schedule.
I'm blaming the record companies and the radio stations for
feeding us crap. And I'll admit I get inpatient with people who
accept it without question, and don't know about the incredible
wealth of amazingly talented musicians who don't get played on
the radio. We can find their CDs if we look hard enough, we can
go hear them live sometimes, we can hear them on good radio
stations in other cities. We have so much more available beyond
that radio dial.
I'm not saying everything on the radio is bad. I actually like
a little bit of what I hear or I wouldn't listen to it at all. But, to
use an example from country music, why is someone as awful as
Rhett Akins, with his sophomoric songs like "That's my girl, my
whole world, but that ain't my truck", signed to a record contract
when there are probably hundreds of people just in Nashville
alone who are so much better? Who's idea was that? I don't get
it. We should get better because it's definitely out there.
I recently bought a copy of a magazine called No Depression,
an alternative country magazine (and in their words, "whatever
tliat is"). Most of tl1e artists written about and advertised I've
never heard, or never heard of. I love it! It's exciting to me
knowing about all this music tliat' s out there yet to be heard; that
Whitney Houston and Reba McEntire are not all there is. I'm in
awe of the musical talent so many people possess. But unfortunately they're not usually the people you hear on the radio.
If you're sick of what you hear on the radio, search for music
you love! At most record stores you'll find all kinds of music 50
times better than what commercial radio plays, if there's a
commercial radio station playing that kind of music at all! Take
. some chances! Listen to CDs atthe store ifyou can't afford to buy
any. Find used CDs. Discover a whole new world of music that
gives you goose bumps and makes you feel on top of the world, like
good music should. You don't hear music like tl1at every day on
the radio.D
2 Her/and Voice August, 1997
CALLING ALL
SONGWRITERS
SINGER-
For the first time, The Herland Fall Retreat will feature a
Saturday afternoon stage that will give women musicians tl1e
opportunity to perfonn their own compositions for an appreciative audience. The Fall Retreat will be October 17-19 at Lake
Murray State Park near Ardmore.
Other musical events already set for the Fall Retreat are a
Saturday evening concert by featured performers, Circle ofFriends
and a late-night jam session open to all musicians.
Ifyou'd like to participate in the afternoon stage, contact Nancy
Nesserbyemail: njnesser@juno.comorphone: 942-1425.D
LOOKING BACK
(contineudfrompage 1)
Maintaining and improving the building is a continuing
challenge. There's always something to be done - painting,
plumbing, yard work, and cleaning. In just the past year, we
finally got the central heat and air conditioning that had been only
a dream for many years. (There's still a balance on the loan for
the heat and air so contributions are welcome!)
Many people have made it possible for Herland to be in t.his
location. Almost every time I'm at Herland, I'm reminded of
some who made tllis space what it is -- Cindy Bookout, who was
Sister 1 and took the responsibility of signing the mortgage note;
Jo Soske and her son Jon whose leadership made tl1e final
fundraising drive successful; Kris Lund, planted and nurtured the
grass and the trees in the front yard, Tommy and Diana who
painted and carpeted the office area; Peggy Johnson, who tore out
a wall to open up the meeting space; Natasha Rice and her anny
of volunteers who did the landscaping; Kris and Marian who
donated tl1e ceiling fans that were moved from the 19th street
Her land; Ginger McGovern, who built tl1e backyard stage and led
the crew to build t11e ramp; and many more. And these are just
some of tl1e people who and some of the work they've done just
on the building. There are so many more people whose work and
contributions have made Herland happen.
So, who's responsible for Herland still being here? You
are - ifyou've ever made a donation, pounded a nail, mowed tl1e
grass, swept the floor, met with a committee, performed at a
fundraising event or worked a shift. Has it all been worth it? I
know it was and is wort11 it every time I hear a woman say "I didn't
know where to go but then I found Herland." Thanks to every one
of you for making it happen. D
Herland Sister Resources
August, 1997
Monday
Sunday
3
4
Tuesday
Wednesday
5
6
Thursday
7
Friday
Saturday
1
2
8
9
6:00 PM open mic at Diversity, hosted by nancy
nesser
9:00 PM Wendy Allyn at
Diversity
JO
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
29
30
3:30 PM Committee Meetings
Newsletter
Deadline
4:30 PM HSR Board Mtg.
24
25
26
27
Women's
Equality Day
28
6:30 PM Newsletter Mailing Party
9:00 PM Peggy Johnson
at Diversity
31
COMING
ATTRACTIONS
September 12: Mary Reynolds and Nancy Scott at Medina's
September 14: Mary Reynolds, Nancy Scott, Betty Elders and othe rs
perform in the annual Woody Guthrie Tribute at the Blue Door
October 17-18 Herland Fall Retreat
If you have an event you'd like included on the Herland calendar, please leave a message at 521-9696 or email preaves@mail.icon.net.
LOOKING FORWARD
WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY
On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment granting women the
right to vote was certified as part of the U.S. Constitution. Referred
to as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, it states, "The right of
citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged
by the United States or by any State on account of sex."
The U.S. Congress designated August 26 as "Women's Equality
Day" in 1971 to honor women's continuing efforts toward equality. D
ArroRNEYs FoRM LESBIAN/GAY
LAw Assoc1Ar10N
A group of Oklahoma attorneys has formed a professional
organization for lesbian and gay attorneys in the state and the
membership drive is gaining national support. The Oklahoma Lesbian and Gay Law Association (OLGLA) joins 31 similar professional associations in the U.S. The National Lesbian and Gay
Association (NLGLA) is affiliated with the American Bar Association (ABA) and represented in the ABA House of Delegates.
The purpose ofOLGLA is threefold, according to Oklahoma City
Attorney Jane Eulberg. She said OLGLA was created to dispel
stereotypes and demonstrate that lesbians and gays are professional
leaders; to serve as a resource for attorneys and others working with
issues affecting lesbians and gays; and to serve as a resource to the
legal system by submitting arnicus curiae briefs and assistance on
appeals in issues involving gays and lesbians.
For additional information on OLGLA, including a membership
packed, contact Eulberg at 405/340-1957. D
The Herland Board is beginning the development of a new longrange plan that will take us into the year 2000. As always, we need
your suggestions, opinions, feelings, thoughts or other input about
what you would like Herland to be doing -- and what you would like
to be doing with Herland.
The Herland Board meets at 4: 30 PM on the third Sunday ofevery
month at Herland. On August 17, all Herland committees will meet
at 3:30 just before the Board meeting. If you can't make it to the
meeting, drop us a note, call and leave a message, or send an email
(preaves@mail.icon.net). We want to hear from YOU!D
FEAST WITH FRIENDS
The Tulsa Area Chapter will hold a Feast with Friends fundraising
event on August 16, 1997, A number of dinner parties will be held in
the homes of supporters to raise funds for the display of the Quilt in
Tulsa.
There's still time to sign up to host a party. The Names Project
will provide the invitations. You provide the food and your guests
bring a contribution for the Tulsa Area NAMES Project. After dinner,
everyone will convene for dessert and coffee at the Adam's Mark
Hotel in downtown Tulsa from 8:30 to 10:30 P.M. There'll be
fabulous desserts, entertainment, a display ofsections about the Quilt,
and lots of information about the upcoming October display of the
Quilt in Tulsa at Expo Square Pavilion.
For information about hosting a party, call (918)748-311 UJ
Her/and Voice August, 1997
3
RfYMfal(
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HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES
2312 NORTHWEST 39TH STREET
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA 73112
(405) 521-9696
Books, New & Used • Lending Library
CD's & Tapes • Gifts • Mooting Space
Coffeehouses • Concerts • Retreats
Monthly Newsletter, free on request
HOURS: SATURDAYS 10 - 6; SUNDAYS 1 - 6
A
WOMAN'S
Herl and Sister Resources
2312 N.W. 39
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
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(405) 447-Slll
Oklahoma City, OK 73134
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942-4190
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Email : njnesser@juno.com
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