From A Vision To A Reality: The Pacific Northwest Lesbian

ArchivesPresented by Lisa Cohen of the

Pacific Northwest Lesbian Archives

Western RoundUp 2010

The Vision in 1995A community-based grassroots Lesbian Archives

The Reality in 2005A bunch of boxes in my basement!

Renegade CollectingOut and About was a locally produced (Seattle) magazine featuring community information, poetry, prose, photos and artwork from the early 1970’s.

Convincing women to donate their materials to PNLA

• Your life is important

• People will want to know what you were like

• Preserve your herstory for posterity

• Saving community herstory is a POLITICAL act!

Our Big Move!Earnestine Blue processes the Verbena Health records. Verbena closed it’s doors due to improper management in 2008. It was the only LBT focused healthcare agency in the area and produced many great publications and printed materials.

Some of PNLA’s holdingsMatrix Magazine was based in Olympia, WA. It was focused around women’s political issues and also included artwork, poetry and community information.

Small Press Printed MaterialsWomen’s Press was based out of Southern Oregon

Photograph CollectionsPersonal Photographs of women enjoying themselves!

Graphics and IllustrationsLeeAnn Huber designed many magazine covers and graphics for political events in Seattle during the 1970’s and 80’s.

CorrespondenceLetters to and from Chris Spengler

Journals & DiariesLocal (Seattle) artist, Kathy Ross donated all of her journals from 1973-2003.

Broadsides & March ItemsThese silhouettes were donated by Seattle’s Dyke Community Activists. The group recently celebrated it’s 21st year of grassroots political work.

T-shirts &TextilesThere have been several contributors to this collection which documents activities, goals, groups, popular slogans and particular meaningful moments in women’s lives.

ArtifactsThese handmade brassieres were a part of a contest at Verbena Health to raise awareness for breast cancer.

Treasures from the Lesbian Resource Center’s Softball League

The Future