Elevating Voices: SOHA 2018 - Southwest Oral History Association
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SOHA SUMMER 2018 NEWSLETTER Issue 99
Southwest Oral
History Association
Summer 2018
Newsletter
PHOTO COURTESY OF AARON MAYES (UNLV) NEAR VALLEY OF FIRE IN THIS ISSUE
Elevating Voices: SOHA 2018
by Marcia Gallo & Juan Coronado, Co-presidents
From the anticipation of Friday morning’s discussion which was followed the next
how-to workshop at the Center for Oral day by a film. Both centered on personal
and Public History, to the inspiration of experiences of immigration and migration.
Sunday’s noon keynote speech by activist Led by students Isabella Hulsizer, Alyssa
scholar Maylei Blackwell, the SOHA 2018 Briana Ruiz, Lerman Montoya Hermosillo,
conference in Fullerton, California held on and Edwin Valenti from Arizona State
April 27-29 exceeded all expectations. It University, the presentations showcased
pulsed with energy, challenged the creativity and skill with which the L-R: Maylei Blackwell, Jennifer Keil, Stan Rodriguez,
Dina Gilio-Whitaker, and Farina King
assumptions, encouraged activism, students and their professor, Dr. Judith
imparted information, and shared wisdom, Perera, incorporated historical study and Reflections of the Conference
yet there also was time for reflection as archival research with interviews of family See page 4-7 for individual attendees’ reflections on the
well as drama. Overall, our themes of members that they then made into a 2018 SOHA conference hosted at California State
resilience and unity were front and center. documentary film – all in one semester, Fullerton on April 27-29, 2018.
With registration at an all-time high of yet! These were truly powerful stories to
130 by the day before the conference, and experience, not only because they were
people coming from a variety of states told so honestly and lovingly, but also
and regions, we knew that this year’s because of the openness, generosity, and
gathering would be unique. And it was. humility of the student researchers
themselves. They reminded me that all of
Among the highlights was the large these qualities are essential to doing oral
number of students who participated. history that truly seeks to elevate unheard
Last summer, when we began planning voices.
this year’s conference, the SOHA board
agreed that one of our main goals was to An amazing touch to this year’s
increase student participation. Without a conference was the loving tribute to
doubt, our efforts succeeded. A record Claytee D. White. For over twenty-five
number of undergraduate and graduate years, Claytee has dedicated herself to
students joined in the presentations at the amplifying and expanding the field of oral
conference. Some of them travelled to history. (continued )
Natalie Fousekis, 2018 Mink Awardee
southern California from nearly three
Natalie Fousekis with Lawrence de Graaf, founder of
thousand miles away, others joined us Lawrence de Graaf Center for Oral and Public History,
from the California State University at California State University, Fullerton. Read her speech
Fullerton campus just across the street. on pages 8-10.
One of the most significant moments for
me (Marcie) was Our Histories/ Nuestras
Historias, the Friday afternoon roundtable
SOHA SUMMER 2018 NEWSLETTER | Issue 99 2
Today, she is the Director of the Oral ended with fantastic
History Research Center for the University sessions and keynote
of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Libraries. presentation by Maylei
Claytee continues to be a central figure Blackwell about her work
within SOHA and this was a very deserving that created ¡Chicana
tribute. Co-President Marcie Gallo Power! and documented
eloquently introduced the session formed by her transnational
three colleagues who have worked close research. Stan Rodriguez
with Claytee. Marcie recalled her arrival at shared powerful stories
UNLV and meeting and learning from based off his life
Claytee. Stefani Evans set the tone and had experiences as Kumeyaay
the entire room laughing over her beautiful Bird Singer.
comradery and learning experiences with Dr. Alison Varzally, Jennifer Keil, M.A., Dr. Cora Granata, Dr. Natalie Fousekis,
Claytee. Julia Lee emphasized the This year we had the Dr. Ben Cawthra at the Mink Award Luncheon
importance of bringing Claytee into her privilege of working with the Center for Oral
classroom and sharing her knowledge on and Public History faculty and staff to create
I was honored to co-present, “Community
the field of oral history with the students. a robust series of sessions. We undoubtedly
Voices and Collaboration” with newcomer
Finally, Peter Michel, the person responsible could not have done this without Dr. Cora
Debi Salmon from Del Mar TV. We
for hiring Claytee at UNLV, provided some Granata and Sierra Sampson who helped us
encouraged session attendees to connect
touching words on her rich character. secure our site. Larry de Graff provided
with one another after annual meetings to
Claytee has touched the lives of so many wonderful opening remarks for Natalie
provide efficacious curation. Currently, the
people and we are fortunate for her Fousekis the 2018 Mink Awardee who is the
Del Mar team is working on relocating the
dedication to SOHA. To the new friends we COPH Director and OHA Vice-
Alvarado House to the new city hall center
made and to the ones we were delighted to President/President-Elect. I appreciated his
while Cindy Keil and I defend the historic
see again, it was truly a pleasure spending comments of the campus’ growth from
integrity of the Aliso Viejo Ranch project. We
time with each one of you. Remember you orange groves to the bustling campus, as he
are including new oral histories of the
are a part of SOHA and with you our served as the University Historian and is
Moulton family and workers who sustained
organization is much sounder. Please honored as the namesake for The Lawrence
the SoCal lifestyle of rural orange county
continue with your contributions and de Graaf Center for Oral and Public History.
pioneer families in the 20th century.
endeavors to the field of oral history, stay Drs. Varzally, Granata, Fousekis have
the course during these times of trepidation inspired me and helped me with my You can view additional conference photos
as higher education and reason face commitment to local history. on our blog, sohanews.wordpress.com, and
overwhelming challenges and obstacles. At #SOHA2018 on all our social media
Fullerton, the SOHA Board and its members UNLV, our institutional home, had a fantastic
accounts. Follow us to see our next
had important meetings and conversations panel titled "An Oral History Project for the
announcement for our 2019 conference and
on the future of SOHA. We are planning a Digital World of Now and the Future." Aaron
regional events!
few surprises for the future, so please stay Mayes, Special Collections & Archives Visual
tuned and connected to SOHA. Please visit Materials Curator, for the UNLV Libraries
our website and follow us on social media. shared his beautiful photography that
SOHA will proudly be present at OHA 2018 captures a narrator at site specific spaces
in Montreal. See you soon! that visually demonstrate their life
experiences and draws the viewer in closer to
listen to their stories. Barbara Tabach,
Collaboration and Project Manager of the Oral History Research
Community Practice
Center, UNLV Libraries who also is our
Secretary and Newsletter Editor, presented
st on “The Role of the Project Manager” who
by Jennifer Keil, 1
Vice President,
2018 Conference Chair conducts these interviews and collects new
archival materials for Special Collections.
When oral historians gather, we share and Emily Lapworth, Digital Collections Librarian,
collaborate on our projects. Our conference shared “The Role of the Digital Team” and
committee met regularly to ensure the how their information management system
success of this year’s program. It was a and website portal has been carefully crafted
privilege to chair this year’s event. We had a with the researcher in mind.
stellar Program Committee chaired by Farina
One of my most treasured moments was
King and Juan Coronado. Marcie and Juan
sharing the preservation work being done in
provided their faithful guidance as our Co-
the seaside village of Del Mar, CA. Suzi
presidents. Friday was filled with workshops,
Resnik, Annie Duval, and Tensia Moriel Trejo
a reception at Marriott Fullerton, and a
celebrated their 20th SOHA conference at Aaron Mayes, UNLV Special Collections &
performance. Our Saturday sessions were
this year’s meeting. Archives Visual Materials Curator
packed with community groups,
independent researchers, and classes as they
showcased their work which concluded with
an ASU produced documentary. Sunday
SOHA SUMMER 2018 NEWSLETTER | Issue 99 3
Los Angeles’
vintage Jamaican
Congratulations to
music scene, a
local, cross-
the SOHA 2018 cultural music
community
Scholarship and cohering around
a shared affinity
Mini-Grant Awardees for the popular
music of 1960s
2018 Eva Tulene Watt Jamaica (ska,
Scholarship for Native rocksteady, and
reggae).
American scholars
Priscilla
Neil Dodge (Navajo/Táchii’nii Martinez, L-R: Priscilla Martinez, Dina Gilio-Whitaker, Neil
and Dibé Lizhini), Ph.D. Ph.D. Dodge, Gabrielle Peterson, and Juan Coronado
student, UNLV student, University of
Project Description: He is researching California, Santa Cruz José M. Aguilar-Hernández,
the historical practices of Navajo Project Description: In “Chinese Ph.D., Cal Poly Pomona
witchcraft. Most oral historians and Tucson: Community, Identity, and Project Description:
students of Navajo history emphasized Public Memory in the U.S.-Mexico “Student Activisms in the 1990s in
the 1878 witch purge as a singular Borderlands” Martinez draws attention California” will gather the oral histories
and tragic event. Dodge has uncovered to how Chinese Americans and of individuals who were students in high
other oral history references to Chinese Mexicans were and remain an school and/or college and participated in
practices of witchcraft dating back to integral part of daily life in Southwest student led efforts in the 1990s in the
the mid-eighteenth century to show that communities like Tucson. Her project State of California. Specifically, this
Navajo practices of witchcraft are well has the potential to bring a broader project aims to gather, archive, and
documented yet poorly understood in regional awareness of the historical document oral histories of students
their historical and cultural contexts. importance of Chinese peoples in who protested Propositions 187 (1994),
borderland life. Currently, there is no 209 (1996), and 227 (1998). The three
Dina Gilio Whitaker (Colville collection of oral histories documenting propositions posed detrimental effects on
Confederated Tribes), Policy the history of Chinese Americans in the the civil rights of immigrants, non-
Director, Senior Research Southwest. English speakers, and minoritized
students in the schools. This project
Associate, and Faculty, Center builds on historical efforts to claim the
for World Indigenous Studies, 2018 Joe and Ruth Chiriaco
1990s as historical, and as an important
San Clemente, CA Student Scholarship decade of analysis to make sense of the
Project Description: Her research current political climate.
focuses on Indigenous nationalism, self- Gabrielle Peterson, Ph.D.
determination, environmental justice, and student, University of Michigan
education. She is co-author with Roxanne Project Description: Entitled “Using
Dunbar-Ortiz of the Beacon Press book Oral Histories to Recount Neighborhood
“All the Real Indians Died Off” and 20 Change in Washtenaw County,” the
Other Myths About Native Americans. research presented by Peterson this
She is now working on a forthcoming weekend is a segment of a larger project
book also for Beacon Press entitled on Black migration and structural
Defending Our Lands: Environmental integration processes in Ann Arbor
Justice in Indian Country, from and Ypsilanti, Michigan. This
Colonization to Standing Rock. investigation describes how institutions
were leveraged to establish equal
2018 General Scholarship access to formerly White
SOHA board members Midge Dellinger
neighborhoods and schools. While and Rachael Cassidy
collecting preliminary data, she realized
Nina Cole, Ph.D. candidate, that the process of integration was APPLY FOR 2019 SCHOLARSHIPS
University of California, Davis also the precursor to gentrification of
Project Description: In “Keeping the Scholarship recipients are announced at the
formerly Black neighborhoods annual SOHA Conference. To apply for 2019
Underground Alive: Creating and go to the SOHA website for more
Sustaining Community in a Local Music information.
Subculture” Cole explores
2018 Mini-Grant Award
SOHA SUMMER 2018 NEWSLETTER Issue 99
manuscript I am currently working on
Reflections on SOHA conference about environmental justice in Indian
country. Although my interviews were
not very many and not enough to make a
old’s brazen request. That memory has scientific study of it, they did provide
branded itself indelibly into my identity anecdotal evidence for a larger point I
by Dina Gilio- as a writer and I draw upon it to make argue throughout the book, which is how
Whitaker, Eva the connections between who I was as racism and white supremacy often show
Tulene-Watt a curious but clueless teenager, to who up surreptitiously in activist circles,
Awardee I am now as a professional writer and working in opposition to indigenous
scholar. peoples’ and their goals.
I was delighted
to attend this My interaction with SOHA has raised Racism can be very a difficult topic to
year’s SOHA questions for me about the differences talk about, particularly in the current
meeting on the between journalism-style interviewing, historical moment, but it’s necessary to
campus of ethnography, and oral history, and confront the historical patterns that led to
California State these questions are what I brought with where we are at now. At the SOHA
University at me to the conference. I took the conference I chaired a panel titled “Un-
Fullerton. It opportunity to openly ask, and the erasing Voices of the Ethnic
was the first time I’ve ever been to a answers I received were consistent: the Communities in the US Mexico
SOHA event, thanks to the recruiting lines between these methodologies are Borderlands.” Priscilla Martinez shared
efforts of Farina King (who is a great blurry. The technique of photo voice adds her work on the history of the
recruiter!). And I was honored to have another layer of complexity to the interactions between Chinese and
been awarded the Eva Tulene-Watt question of method. Whatever we call Mexican peoples at the border, a history
scholarship for Native Americans, for these techniques, I’m fascinated by the that I previously knew nothing about.
which I thank the SOHA scholarship way scholars and public historians use José Aguilar-Hernandez shared his work
committee warmly. I was so pleased to oral history methods to record and which looked at Chicano activism in Los
meet new people and flow into the river document important histories and Angeles which I found especially
of conversations about oral history as a experiences, particularly of people whose interesting given that I grew up there and
methodology for “doing” history. perspectives or contributions to society was influenced by some of the events he
are commonly marginalized. recounted. But perhaps not surprisingly, I
While I consider myself a scholar of was most intrigued with the plenary
American Indian studies, I don’t In my most recent experience with session on Saturday morning,
necessarily consider myself a historian interviewing research subjects, I did a “Developing Indigenous Community and
(although engaging in American Indian small informal survey to understand how Home-Based Oral Histories.” It was
studies is always about history in one conflict played out in a gendered way obvious from the lively conversation that
way or another). I am also an between Native and non-Native women followed, the panel challenged some
“accidental” journalist, in that my in the resistance camps at Standing Rock. deeply-held but often troubling tropes
background in journalism was forged by My interest was piqued after a news story about American Indians. As difficult as
my work as an activist on Indian issues. revealed in September 2016 that many they can be, it’s conversations like these
People like me gave rise to the term non-Native women came to camp that builds bridges of understanding in
“grassroots journalism.” We are people without the proper attire. In Lakota communities where these conversations
who have no formal training in tradition it is customary for women to might not otherwise happen.
journalism but learned on the job. Our wear skirts in ceremonial and other
voices are often marginalized in cultural contexts. Because most of the I’m grateful to SOHA, and Farina in
mainstream media and we use journalism women did not come with skirts, many particular, and very glad that I attended
to be seen and heard, especially now in Native women pulled together a sewing the conference. I look forward to crossing
an era where digital social media has— brigade to make skirts for those who paths again with some of the folks I met
for better or worse—opened platforms for didn’t have them. Not knowing Lakota there, and congratulate you on the
pretty much anyone to write about issues tradition—in some cases blatantly wonderful work you are all doing. ~Dina
they care about. refusing to abide by it--contributed to a
pattern of conflict that arose between
So I come to the world of oral history as Native and non-Native people in the
a journalist who has conducted many camps as the population swelled over the
interviews over the years as subjects of 10 month-long resistance with non-
news stories, but also as a scholar who Native people eventually out-numbering
sometimes interviews people for research the Native people in the camps.
projects. The very first interview I ever
did was for a project in a ninth grade I wrote a conference paper for last year’s
English class when I interviewed a Western Historical Association’s annual
popular Los Angeles radio disc jockey meeting in San Diego (another first,
Attendees at 2018 SOHA Awards
who was kind enough to oblige a 14 year- again thanks to Farina’s invitation) about Luncheon, CSU Fullerton
my survey, and have included it in a book
SOHA SUMMER 2018 NEWSLETTER | Issue 99 5
Inauguration of Donald Trump and the My last reflection is about the panel I was
Women’s March the following day. I had on, “Developing Indigenous Community
expected a standard panel format yet was and Home-Based Oral Histories”. Each
surprised by a large troupe of students. presenter had their own project they were
What followed was a dramatization of the working on but each had a concern for
oral interviews conducted at both events. preserving their communities’ history.
This theatrical reenactment of those The Q&A part of the panel was both
several amazed the audience and got me frustrating and rewarding. The panel was
to think about other ways to implement asked a rather loaded question about
oral history into a publicly accessible preserving indigenous oral histories and
format. The question and answer session the continued survival of native people.
that followed was just as dynamic though Many panelists approached the topic with
two points concerned me. The first is the a variety of answers. I answered the
by Neil Dodge, Eva Tulene-Watt labelling of these interviews as oral question that we have to move away from
Awardee histories. This may be due in large part to a collecting or salvage mindset. The
the functional fixedness of my own knowledge gained from these oral
In April, I had the privilege of attending understanding of what constitutes an oral histories is a privilege, not a right. When
the annual Southwestern Oral History history. The second point was the we approach these stories with that
Association (SOHA) conference in statement from the students that they mindset, it keeps the narrator front and
Fullerton, California. At this conference, could take an oral history and turn it into center when owning these stories. ~Neil
I had the opportunity to hear from and a performance. I respect their enthusiasm
engage with other oral history though I would caution that the students
practitioners. I attended several panel first understand what oral histories they
discussions and visited the Lawrence de are being asked to interpret. Oral histories
Graaf Center for Oral and Public History about ethnic cleansing or from genocide
which will be a research site going survivors require great care and
forward. This reflection will engage with sensitivity before any such show is put in
a few panels that I attended and will also front of the public.
consider the questions and feedback from
the panel I was on. The final panel was quite apropos to the
NCPH ofrenda pop-up exhibit. The
As a matter of course, there are many session was entitled “Remembering 1 Midge Dellinger, Juan Coronado, Carlos
interesting panels at these conferences October”. The focus of the panel was Lopez, and Franklin Howard
however I was unable to attend them all. discussion about the variety of ways by Midge Dellinger, SOHA Board,
The first panel I attended was “Teaching people remembered the tragedy. The first Student Representative
Perspective and Narrative through Oral speaker spoke to the politics and logistics
History and Storytelling”. Two aspects of of remembering the event. The city, If I had to describe in one word the 2018
this panel were particularly useful. First county, and state governments jostled SOHA conference, it would be “wow!”
was the structure that many stories take. with one another to claim ownership of What a fantastic weekend we had! The
When speaking to an audience, the the memorials at the ‘Welcome to Las weather in Fullerton was beautiful, we all
presenter observed the most effective Vegas’ sign whilst the country mourned. got a little exercise, and, most
speakers told stories; often as a means to After a week and half of politicking, an importantly, we were all there to share
get at the point of their talk. When stories agreement was reached where some our stories and our work. I personally
are structured as she presented, she found objects would be preserved at the county enjoyed every session I attended and
that audiences remembered the talk museum and others at the state museum. found them all to be very stimulating and
better. The second speaker had a The next speaker presented on digital educational, and I hope everyone
particularly attention-grabbing ways of remembering; through photos experienced the same. The student
perspective when he told the audience but also with social media like Twitter participation at this year’s conference
that stories are the vehicle to and Instagram. The last speakers were was phenomenal, to say the least. I was
communicate values and meaning. The collecting oral histories of first honored to be a part of the roundtable
story makes it relatable and concrete for responders and survivors. Two things plenary session, “Developing Indigenous
the audience as they are hearing it from a about this panel stood out. First was the Community and Home-Based Oral
human speaker rather than reading it on a transition from clearly defined and Histories.” It was great to meet and hear
page. marked memorials to spontaneous from other emerging Indigenous Scholars
memorials. How and where did this and to learn about the important work
The most memorable panel was “Voices occur? It is difficult to say definitively. they are doing in their communities.
from the March.” Students from the Second, the politics of memory and
University of Florida drove to memorials are a contentious minefield. I would like to thank all the students
Washington, DC and conducted who participated in this year’s
interviews with attendees at the conference. Your presence and your
work added immensely to our conference
SOHA SUMMER 2018 NEWSLETTER | Issue 99 6
weekend. It was exciting to witness first- oral histories from the women’s reciting the message of ͞The Road Not
hand the oral history accomplishments of marches throughout the country. The Taken͟ before the poem, encouraging
those who came to Fullerton to share graduate student mingle was also a people to make and take their own
with us pieces of themselves, as they great success, providing students and roads. I never realized how much our
have engaged in personally important and emerging scholars opportunities to stories intertwine and connect in ways
meaningful projects. To the University of interact and network. On the second I would have not imagined but then it
Florida students, keep raising your voices day of the conference, we started with makes sense as soon as you put on a
in advocacy of the many voices who are the plenary session that I moderated lens to see what was ͞invisiblized.͟And
never heard, and to the University of on developing Indigenous community of course, there are the many
Arizona students, keep searching for and home-based oral histories with moments of sharing stories and
those stories that help to create and give Rachael Cassidy, Midge Dellinger, experiences with SOHA friends and
meaning to the story of you. As the Bridget Lee Groat, Mike Barthelemy, people you just met but somehow
SOHA Student Representative, I would Neil Dodge, and Josh Little. connected with because you all love
like to remind all the students who Following sessions included oral history especially in the
attended, and, or participated in this conversations such as those Southwest. People spoke from their
year’s conference, that you now have a about ͞Remembering 1 October͟ in intellect but also from the heart.
one-year SOHA membership. Please Vegas, ͞Recording the Voices of Stories are powerful and empowering.
stay in touch and feel free to contact us at Dreamers,͟͞Community Voices and Next year, we hope to bring SOHA
any time. We hope to see more of you Collaboration,͟P͞ ostwar Immigration and to Salt Lake City in collaboration
and your work at future SOHA Migration,͟ and ͞Southwestern Peoples with the Oral History Association so
conferences! For now, I hope everyone and Politics.͟ The 2018 James V. Mink Utah calls me! I have many
has a fantastic summer. ~ Midge Award was awarded to Natalie connections, family, and friends in
Fousekis, and other awardees included Utah, so I would be happy to help
Dina Gilio-Whitaker and Neil Dodge plan SOHA 2019. Thank you to the
for the Eva Tulene Watt Award and many incredible people who made
by Farina Nina Cole, Gabrielle Peterson, and SOHA 2018 in Fullerton with CSUF
King, José M. Aguilar-Hernández. The day and the Lawrence de Graaf Center for
concluded with a special tribute to Oral and Public History possible— the
SOHA
oral historian Claytee White and then board members, the program
Board, 2nd
the showing and panel discussion with committee, the longtime and new
Vice Judith Irangika Perera and students’ members, students, learners, oral
President, film Our Stories, Nuestras Historias. historians (whether you identify as a
Program The documentary and panel was so historian, nurse, sociologist, archivist,
Committee powerful and moving, tracing the whatever), institutional sponsors like
Chair journeys of undergraduate students COPH and UNLV, Marriott Fullerton
discovering oral history and their staff and employees... the list could
family stories of immigration and continue on and on. We are so
migration. #SOHA2018 concluded but grateful for you all. These are new
#SOHA2018 rocked! We started with sparked many new beginnings. I could beginnings to share and live what we
the SOHA board meeting, workshops not hold back the tears on the last learn.
about oral history (one hosted by the day of the conference, especially
during the panel on unerasing histories
superb de Graaf oral history center at
CSUF) and storytelling storyteller with Dina Gilio-Whitaker, Priscilla
Martinez, and José M. Aguilar-
More Reflections
Kyle Mitchell who told about the by José M. Aguilar-Hernández, Ph.D.
North star and how it guided his Hernández. Priscilla showed this
Assistant Professor, Ethnic and
cheii (grandfather) and him as fabulous film she made with a
Women's Studies Dept. Cal Poly
veterans and his son. The first set of podcast about Chinese communities in
Pomona - College of Education &
sessions included one about African Tucson. I was blown away by the
Integrative Studies
American students and teachers’ oral sense of how much has been excluded
histories and stories that I attended. I in history and what oral history It was an absolute honor to share
wish that I could have attended all unerases. ’s presentation on student space with so many oral historians at
the sessions, but alas, we must always activism at UCLA added to those SOHA 2018. Being selected as a
choose during concurrent meetings. impressions on me. For the last event mini-grant recipient by the Southwest
Tongva elder Julia Bogany welcomed of the day, we heard Maylei Oral History Association is an
us to Tongva homelands, and we Blackwell share ͞The Story and the absolute honor, and an important
received a hearty welcome from our Gift: What working with Indigenous validation of the type of research I
CSUF partners and supporters. The Migrants taught Me about Oral am doing as a scholar-activist. There
performance by the University of History Methods͟ and Stanley are too few opportunities to reflect on
Florida students ͞Voices from the Rodriguez talk stories and share a the value of oral history, and SOHA
March͟ was incredible. It was based on song inspiring us to forge our own was a timely opportunity for me. As
paths. The Kumeyaay were already an oral historian, I conduct oral
SOHA SUMMER 2018 NEWSLETTER | Issue 99 7
histories with students of color who the quality of the panels. This year
were involved in activism during the was no exception. From the opening
1990s in higher education institutions sessions all the way to the final
in California. In 2018, documenting plenary, every panel packed
this history is incredibly urgent, as we information that reminded the audience
are currently seeing the ongoing value that oral historians are bringing out
of student activism in contemporary stories that can be left out of
times. Students are historically the o͞ fficial͟ narrative. As part of the
invested in changing their schools, program committee, I would like to
communities, and society to one that thank all of you who submitted and
is more equitable and socially presented, for making the conference
conscious. My work attempts to do as successful as it was. Even though
so, to center the experiences of it makes our job harder, deciding
student activists as historical actors which proposals to accept, when they
that have brought change, despite are all as high-quality as this; I Keri Marken and Lyonne Christman
challenges, to their communities and would say that is a good problem to attend afternoon #SOHA2018 sessions.
beyond. The 2018 SOHA conference have. Instead of recapping the
was vital to my development as an highlights of this conference, which
oral historian. The panels, networking others already have in this newsletter,
opportunities, and conversations I would like to instead look forward
connected me to a community that I as we devise our future events. While
deeply value. I felt welcomed to the plans are not set in stone just yet,
SOHA as a new member; SOHA know that the SOHA board is already
truly values oral history similarly to working on the next three years of
the ways I do...oral history is an development for our conferences. Just
empowering way to document the as all of your work and oral history
experiences of diverse peoples whose projects take time and lots of energy,
narratives are often left out of so does putting together these
textbooks, newspapers, and archives. conferences. For me, seeing the
Oral history is an opportunity to fill presentations and panels turn out so
silences with voices. I left SOHA well makes this work all the more Alexa Irizarry Moore & ASU Student
inspired, motivated, and re-energized satisfying. So I hope that you all
to continue my research projects. I continue your great work, continue to
look forward to contributing and support the organization, and continue
learning from SOHA in years to to submit and present at our
come. Thank you!" conferences. Without you all, there is
no SOHA. So we invite you, the
SOHA's Bright members, to spread the word about
our organization. There were over 130
Future members registered for the Fullerton
conference out of a membership of
over 200, but there is still potential
for growth. Myself, as Arizona
representative, and the other delegates
will be using the next few months to
see where we can grow our
membership and how we can better "Voices from the March" student
serve the needs of a growing
performers from the University of Florida
organization. So if you know any
other oral historians or oral history
practitioners, let them know about
SOHA, the people, and the
conferences. If you have any ideas of
by Carlos Lopez, SOHA Board, AZ areas where we can improve our
Delegate membership, please let us know. The
future looks bright for SOHA and a
Greetings from sunny and increasingly lot of that has to do with the
sweltering Arizona. I want to thank enthusiasm that you, the members
everyone who attended this year’s bring each and every year. I look
SOHA conference in Fullerton. Every forward to the next time I get to see
year, we are continually amazed by all of your smiling faces.
SOHA SUMMER 2018 NEWSLETTER | Issue 99 8
moments in the nation’s and the histories would not be preserved if we
Speech by SOHA world’s history, and brought me in to
the homes and communities of people
did not record them. When people
pass away, their memories die with
2018 James V. I would have never met otherwise.
My narrators have been a diverse
them. This has been both a personal
and professional crusade for me. As
Mink Awardee bunch -- a 98-year-old tenant farmer
from North Carolina, the editor of a
some of you know, the year I
conducted my first oral history was
by Natalie M. Fousekis small-town Southern newspaper during the same year my mother was
the era of Jim Crow and Civil Rights; diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. I
a woman involved in the Black Power was young and so was she. I was 26
Movement and who became an and she was 55. In the early stages
advocate for teen mothers after she of her disease, I could have
became one herself; Marine and Army interviewed her but it was too painful
veterans from World War II and the at the time. While her day-to-day
Korean War, the first African memory was no longer strong, she
American woman to serve in the still could remember many details
California State Assembly; the first about her childhood and early life.
Latina to serve in the California State By the time I was ready, Alzheimer’s
Assembly, on the Los Angeles City had robbed her of her memory and us
Council, and on the Los Angeles of much of our relationship as mother
County Board of Supervisors, the and daughter. There are unanswered
daughter of a member of the questions and many stories I have
Communist Party who became a day forgotten because haven’t been able to
Director, Lawrence de Graaf Center care activist in the 1960s; and the sit with her and talk for over 20
for Oral and Public History at women who established a pro-choice, years. When I was pregnant with my
California State University, Fullerton bi-partisan women’s Political Action son, Henry, who is here today, and as
Committee in Orange County during I’ve been raising him there have been
April 28, 2018 the early 1990s. Each interview I’ve many questions I would’ve like to ask
conducted in my almost 25 years as my mom. And I have regret about
Thank you Larry for that lovely an oral historian has had a major not conducting an interview with her
introduction, to SOHA, and members impact on me. When I leave a if for no other reason than 24 years
of the James Mink Award committee narrator’s house or the site where the later it would be wonderful to have
for this very special honor. It feels a interview took place, I feel like I her voice recorded so my son would
bit strange to be up here accepting can’t really engage with the real be able to hear his grandmother. As
this award as most of my work as an world for a while because I’m acutely I indicated earlier, I was first exposed
oral historian and as director of the aware that I just experienced to oral history as a graduate student
Lawrence de Graaf Center for Oral something unique and powerful. I working for the Southern Oral History
and Public History (COPH) has been consider myself fortunate to have been Program [and what a fantastic place
collaborative – with my narrators, the person sitting in that room asking that was to learn the craft of oral
with my colleagues in the history the questions and I feel a sense of history]. In those initial interviews I
department, with my students, with responsibility for that person’ s story. did not know as much as do now
my staff, and with our community What I’ve learned from these about the methodology of oral history,
partners. Many of those encounters has reinforced what I theories about narrative and memory,
collaborators are here today and I’d already knew --that individual stories or even how to manage an interview,
like to acknowledge them. Oral matter to history. They matter to the but I did know enough to let the
history changed my life from the families and people touched by an narrator tell his or her story with
moment I conducted my first individual’s life and story, but they minimal guidance from me. Those
interview in 1994 as a graduate collectively matter to our interviews made an impression. My
student in Chapel Hill, NC. Listening understanding of important social, second interview was with an 80-year-
to people’s stories, working on oral cultural, and political events. [I old, long-time editor of the Smithfield
history projects in Chapel Hill and remind my students of this all the Herald newspaper. He recalled stories
California, teaching oral history to time. While I’d love to see them use of being threatened by the Klan
students and community members, and oral history in their research, more because of his editorials supporting
working collaboratively with than anything I hope they go home equal education and the right to vote
colleagues and students has enriched and record the stories of their own for blacks in the 1940s and 1950s. I
my life far more than I have given to families] Moreover, I know, as do my spent a weekend in eastern Carolina
the field of oral history thus far in colleagues at the Center and as do conducting interviews as part of the
my career. My personal journey as many of you in this room, that we Southern Oral History Program’s
an oral historian has taken me places approach oral history with a sense of World War II and Coastal North
I could not have imagined, revealed urgency. Many of the stories and Carolina Project. I spent an afternoon
new perspectives on well-known historical memories we gather in oral with a husband and wife who had
SOHA SUMMER 2018 NEWSLETTER | Issue 99 9 met during the war when he was earliest oral history courses who supervised teams of students as they stationed Camp Davis, a base of began weeping as he spoke the words recorded stories beginning with those 25,000 people which was plopped in of the Vietnam veteran he stationed at the base during World the middle of Holly Ridge, NC, a interviewed, crying in the same War II and moving forward through town of a few hundred residents with moment his narrator had cried in the the Vietnam War. While I personally one intersection during World War II. interview. We have also integrated only recorded a few of these He came from Louisiana and never oral history-based performance more interviews, I listened to, watched, and left. I sat in the trailer of a 98-year- widely at the Center for Oral and read scores of these stories. The two old tenant farmer who had lived on Public History, having our students interviews I conducted included an the same plot of land for most her and staff create oral history-based 88-year-old retired Marine pilot who life. While her memory was fading, performances to be delivered at at 6’3͟was an imposing figure who I will never forget her smile and her exhibition openings and other public shared with me his story of being the sense of contentment with a hard life, history events. first Marine to land an airplane at the but a life well-lived. I spent the El Toro base in 1943.But what I weekend eating local cuisine and One of the reasons I was so excited remember most about this interview is sharing casual conversation with folks to accept the position at Cal State following Major Carmichael from the in this fishing and farming Fullerton in 2002 was the long-time, business he still ran at almost 90 community. It proved to be an well-regarded oral history program that back to his house in my car. This unforgettable experience for this young was built by Larry de Graaf, Art octogenarian liked to drive his woman raised in an upper-middle Hansen, and other history faculty Mercedes fast. My little 4-cylinder class family in Berkeley, California. since the late 1960s. The year I Subaru had a hard time keeping up! I conducted nine interviews in two arrived, the oral history program Another narrator, Junamay Leatherby days with men and women who had became the Center for Oral and Coffey, shared stories about her witnessed the transformation of the Public History. A few years later excitement to be part of the first region, momentarily during World Cora Granata, a colleague from wave of women to enlist in the War II, and then return to a sleepy graduate school and fellow oral Marine Corps during World War II community that serves mostly as a historian who had been hired at and her years working for Joe pass through for North Carolinians on CSUF the year before me, and I were McCarthy on the El Toro base, just a their way to the Topsail Island joined by two public historians, one few years before he launched his very beaches. My Chapel Hill years of whom is still an integral part of famous political career. While I also introduced to the concept of the COPH leadership. The four of us would certainly classify the El Toro bringing stories to the public via oral held meetings and conversations in Project as a military history project, history-based performance. At first, I which we decided that we would these interviews also serve as a was quite skeptical of this method. work to create a program that window in to the relationship between Most of my students know this as intentionally integrated the fields of a military base and the community I’ve made them all read an article I oral and public history. Each oral that surrounded it. My colleague, published on my resistance and history project we developed would Ben Cawthra, engaged this theme eventual embrace of oral history have a public history component and when he curated and created an performance. I also have shared with vice-versa. The oral history projects exhibit with his students based on this them the promise I believe we have developed at COPH over the project, Farmers to Flyers, which performance holds both to make past ten years have all had public examined the role of the El Toro original historical arguments, but also history components and allowed me to base in the transformation of Orange to share the moving, insightful collaborate with my students, County from a predominantly memories of our narrators with a colleagues, and members of the agricultural/rural area to a much larger public. It has also community. The first major grant suburban/urban area. Cawthra and his developed in to a wonderful teaching funded project I took on emerged out students installed it on the Fullerton tool for me as I encourage my of a meeting with the Orange County campus in 2009 and at the Orange students to put their interviews in Great Park in Irvine that Cora County Great Park in 2012. The two conversation with one another and to Granata and I attended in 2006. One exhibitions were seen by thousands of make larger arguments beyond their of the charges of the Great Park as Orange County residents. In 2013, I individual interviews and projects. they worked to transform the El Toro launched the Women, Politics, and My students have discussed the Marine Corps Air Station in to a Activism Project with a goal of additional power and responsibility regional park was to record and recording stories of Southern they feel when speaking their preserve the stories of the men and California women who have been narrator’s words. They found women who had served, worked, and engaged in politics and activism from connections between the men and lived on the base. We partnered with the 1960s to today. Four and a half women they interviewed when they the Great Park to launch a major oral years later, the Women, Politics, and initially assumed there were none. history project that eventually recorded Activism Project (WPA) has recorded They have experienced deep emotion the stories of 525 men and women over 100 new oral histories and performing their narrator’s words, like Marines, family, and community transcribed an additional 45 the proud male student in one of my members. From 2007-2013, I (conducted in my oral history courses)
SOHA SUMMER 2018 NEWSLETTER | Issue 99 10
with major research funds provided by women have influenced and shaped 1968, just two weeks before his
the John Randolph Haynes and Dora regional politics in the modern era. assassination (a story I’d never heard
Haynes Foundation and by this This oral history project has also before). Jackie Goldberg recalls a
summer all of these interviews will be uncovered local stories that will story about her Free Speech
available online (about 80 are change the way historians and others Movement days at UC Berkeley when
available now). These interviews understand the political activities of she borrowed her sorority sister’s car
preserve the stories of centenarians women in the late 20th and in to the to go pick up Malcolm X at SFO in
too much, younger and more recent 21st Century. For example, scholars October 1963. When I launched the
activists and elected officials engaged and the public associate the 1980s WPA project I could not have
in politics today. The women talk in with Ronald Reagan, a backlash anticipated the important ways Hillary
depth about their early lives and against feminism, and an attempt to Clinton’s campaign for President
family background as well as their reverse the gains made by the vibrant would shape the context in which we
political activities. This collection women’s movement of the 1970s. conducted our interviews, especially
includes oral histories with almost all While there is certainly plenty of from late 2015 in to the Trump era.
the living women who served on the evidence to support this – the defeat Her campaign, its challenges, and its
Los Angeles of the ratification of the ERA, the historic nature inspired scores of
war on abortion clinics, and the rise articles, Op-Ed pieces, and
City Council (a majority of whom of the New Right and Phyllis conversations about women in politics.
had never been interviewed before); Schlaffley -- based on the oral Because of this, narrators would
the first women mayors and city histories we recorded with Orange and frequently provide answers to
councilwomen of cities across Orange Los Angeles County women, feminism questions with Hillary’s nomination,
and Los Angeles counties; founders was alive and well in the 1980s and campaign, and loss in the back drop
and presidents of local chapters of the early 1990s. The gains were smaller (whether we asked directly about her
National Organization for Women; but feminists kept on fighting and or not). With this contemporary
founders of the Feminist Majority; made a difference in their context in mind, we developed
Latina activists for immigration rights, communities. Our interviews with questions that asked explicitly about
access to health care, police brutality, city councilwomen and activists who Hillary. In late 2015 and early 2016
and increased Latina participation in served or were advocating in the many narrators shared feelings of
politics; peace advocates; as well as 1980s also contributes to a body of hope and optimism about her
LGBTQ rights activists, founding literature that suggests we rethink the campaign. Even Republican women
members of the local Black Lives idea that the US women’s movement spoke to the importance of Hillary’s
Matter movement, women engaged in occurred in waves and instead focus candidacy. The tone and conversation
environmental activism, union leaders, on the continuities of feminist activity. shifted after November 8, 2016, as
conservative women activists and Our interviews provide numerous many narrators grappled with Hillary’s
women activists involved in local and examples of feminists’ steady efforts loss as well as the fear and
statewide Republican and Democratic throughout the 1980s. For instance, uncertainty that came with Donald
party organizations (see complete list long-time labor leader, Cheryl Parisi; Trump’s election. These comments
of narrators at the end of this report). former LA Commission on Status of were made not just by former elected
Their stories highlight the diversity of Women Executive Director, Susan officials, but also women involved in
women’s activities as well as how Rose; and former LA City the local Black Lives Matter
local women’s demands and actions Councilwoman Joy Picus discuss their movement and other local grassroots
shaped public policies in the region, efforts to negotiate pay equity for the efforts. For example, life-long
the state, and the nation. This project city’s women workers in 1985. In Republican, former Huntington Park
was inspired by two contemporary 1989, behind the O ͞ range Curtain͟ City Councilwoman and US Treasury
events – the questions raised about Republican city councilwoman Ursula Secretary, Rosario Marin, delivered an
the declining presence of women in Kennedy took on pro-life city council emotional response on how Donald
local politics during the Los Angeles colleagues in Tustin. Her male, pro- Trump’s candidacy led her to vote for
City Council races in 2013 (with the life colleagues had wanted the city and publicly endorse a Democrat for
prospect of no woman on the city council to take a stand on abortion the first time in her political career.
council) and story after story and Kennedy firmly believed it was Like some of the women interviewed
surrounding the local political not the non-partisan city council’s for the WPA I’ve had to grapple with
campaigns that year AND the place to weigh in on such a my own disappointment and dismay at
approaching 100th Anniversary of controversial issue. Thankfully, so did the results of the 2016 election. One
Women’s Suffrage in 2019-2020. some of her male colleagues! This thing is clear: interviewing strong
This project also grew out of a desire project has also resulted in new, women who have been politically
to create a new body of research on unique perspectives on national and engaged for years while overcoming
women before the upcoming regional stories. Yvonne Braithwaite barriers and political opposition, yet
commemoration of the 100th Burke shares an eerie memory about still advocating for the issues they
Anniversary of women’s suffrage. I standing on a balcony with Martin believe in, has lifted my spirits on
wanted to record interviews that Luther King after he gave a speech at more than one occasion. Those of us
demonstrate the myriad of ways the Anaheim Convention Center in this room who both conduct oralSOHA SUMMER 2018 NEWSLETTER | Issue 99 11
histories and have the privilege of
Book Review
teaching students and community
members how to do this kind of work
know how fortunate we are. We
have the responsibility and the honor
to ensure that original, individual Congratulations to Juan Coronado, SOHA
stories be preserved for future Co-President, for his recent book
generations and assist scholars today publication! His book, I'm Not Gonna Die
and in the future write new histories in This Damn Place: Manliness, Identity,
of the past. We also have a duty to and Survival of the Mexican American
not just preserve these stories, but to Vietnam Prisoners of War (Latinos in the
United States), was officially published by
share them with the public in as
Michigan State University in March 2018.
many diverse methods as possible.
Learn more about the book and order
Finally, it is our job to pass this on
your copy at
to a new generation of oral historians http://msupress.org/books/book/?id=50-1D0-
who can take up the task of 446B#.WwSzKO4vzIV. Check out the
telling new stories about our positive review of the book in Publishers
communities, the nation, and world Weekly. Others have also praised his work
themselves. Thank you very much that features oral histories of Mexican
for this special honor. American POWs and Chicano Vietnam
Thank You War experiences and stories:
From the start, and by design, the story of
by Franklin Howard, SOHA Grad America’s Vietnam prisoners of war was
Assistant disciplined into an official version. By
focusing attention on the Mexican American
Vietnam POWs, Juan David Coronado not
only identifies how their shared cultural
heritage affected their lives before, during,
and after captivity, but also shows us just
The Influence and Resilience of Women in Politics and how diverse even a small group of prisoners
could actually be. A welcome contribution
Activism panel with Jessica Buckle, Sierra Sampson,
to our understanding of American POW
Katelyn York, Helen Yoshida with moderator Marcie Gallo.
history.
--Craig Howes, Director, Center for
Biographical Research, University of
Farewell and See You Next Year! It has Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and author, Voices of
been an absolute honor to work for and the Vietnam POWs: Witnesses to Their
with all of you these past two years. Fight
Working for SOHA has been one of the
most wonderful experiences I have ever Juan David Coronado has written a superb
had and it’s because of all of you. If you and important examination of Chicano
don’t know, I have just graduated from prisoners of war in Vietnam; the first-
UNLV and am seeking greener pastures account experiences reflected in the work
(literally and metaphorically) with my add to this enlightening academic read.
partner in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As such, I
am no longer going to be able to work --Charley Trujillo, author of Dogs from
for the organization. Let me say that Illusion, American Book Award winner for
every second has been a pleasure. I’m Soldados, and codirector of the companion
grateful to have met all of you and served documentary Soldados: Chicanos in Việt
this valuable organization. Of course, this Nam
really isn’t a good-bye. I have every
intention of coming to next year’s L-R: Carlos Lopez, Marcie Gallo, Juan
conference and many more in the future. BOOK INFORMATION
Coronado, Franklin Howard, Jennifer Keil
And, this time, I’ll be able to spend more
time talking and seeing the amazing oral Michigan State University Press
history work being done! I guess what I’m Paperback$29.95 USD
trying to say is: Thank you. Thank you for
ISBN: 9781611862720
the opportunity and the wonderful
conversations. See you all next year! eBook$23.95 USD
ISBN: 9781609175542SOHA SUMMER 2018 NEWSLETTER | Issue 99 12
UNLV Special Collections and Archives History Research Center, Nevada State
had to raise matching monies. Mission College, University of Nevada—Las
Nevada News
almost accomplished! On May 14, 2017, Vegas’Digital Collections, Neon Museum,
the Las Vegas Centennial Commission Clark County Museum, Las Vegas-Clark
unanimously approved a $50,000 grant to County Library District, Henderson
by Stefani Evens, NV Delegate
support the proposed Latinx Voices Libraries, and Henderson Historical
project of UNLV University Libraries. Society. While each of the stakeholders in
Imagine opening this email: "Our African
When combined with a $25,000 donation the Consortium has their own goals and
Americans documentary was nominated
from MGM Resorts and donations from projects, they share an interest in
for three Emmy awards! It received
several generous groups and individuals, promoting the unique heritage of
nominations for Historical/Cultural –
Latinx Voices is less than $25,000 from its Henderson, Nevada, and building oral
Program/Special; Editor (No Time Limit)
goal. history collections to preserve that
Program (Non News), and Writer-Program
heritage for generations to come. They
(Non News)." The email references the ***** often trade ideas with each other and
newly Emmy-nominated documentary film,
extend outreach by sharing contacts and
African Americans: The Las Vegas The below is verbatim from Dana resources. Henderson Historical Society
Experience. In 2016 UNLV University Bullinger, Digital Projects Librarian at hosts a bimonthly event called “Henderson
Libraries and the UNLV Oral History Henderson Libraries Speaks” that features a panel of
Research Center joined forces with Vegas dbullinger@hendersonlibraries.com. community members sharing their stories
PBS, and with grant funding from the
about growing up in Henderson. Each
Institute of Museum and Library Services I asked for information so I could feature
event features a different theme with
and the Commission for the Las Vegas Henderson Libraries, and she composed
different guests. The Historical Society is
Centennial, premiered the film February the entire thing for me. Oral history
also actively seeking community members
20, 2017, during Black History Month. collection in Henderson, Nevada began in
to contribute their stories to the
The UNLV University Libraries launched 2003 with the celebration of the 50th
Henderson Oral History Project. The
the Documenting the African American Anniversary of Henderson’s incorporation.
stories of Old Henderson help fulfill the
Experience in Las Vegas project in 2012 The City of Henderson conducted a
Society’s mission and provide
with the community Partners of the number of video interviews with
teaching/learning resources for generations
African American Collaborative. The Henderson officials and cherished local
of newcomers and schoolchildren. Such
documentary features Claytee White, business people, such as Clark County
resources are invaluable in preserving
director of the UNLV University Libraries Commissioner and original Councilman
history and for welcoming new residents
Oral History Research Center, and it builds Lou La Porta, who founded the
and their children into the life of the
on hundreds oral histories collected at the Henderson Historical Society, and the first
community. Henderson has seen many
direction of or by Claytee for more than woman bank manager in Nevada, Selma
changes over the years, but several of the
twenty-two years. If the documentary is Bartlett. Since then, the Henderson
families who arrived to build Hoover Dam
the final act of the UNLV University Historical Society and the Henderson
and produce magnesium for the war effort
Libraries ’“Documenting the African Libraries have teamed up to create the
later have remained, preserving a culture
American Experience in Las Vegas” Henderson Oral History Project Collection,
of solidarity and pride in their history,
project, then the Emmy nominations are an ongoing oral history collection project
which is what you need to grow an oral
the coda. Or thecherry on top. Or even capturing early life in Henderson. It is
history collection.
the curl on the Tastee Freeze. That is comprised of full-length video oral
because only superlatives can describe the histories with transcripts that can be
web portal, the oral history and material freely accessed online worldwide through
collections, and the Emmy-nominated the Henderson Libraries Digital Collections.
documentary—what happens when Vegas There are now over 120 oral histories that
PBS, UNLV University Libraries, the UNLV are accessible online including interviews
Oral History Research Center, and Claytee with local veterans for the Veterans Oral
and her advisory board and institutional History Project. Production, preservation,
partners document the history of Las and access to the Henderson Oral History
Vegas African Americans. Winners will be Project Collection has been aided by
announced June 16. See it for yourself at collaboration from our community
http://www.pbs.org/video/vegas-pbs-african- partners. The Henderson Historical Society
americans-las-vegas-experience-promo provides the oral history leads, conducts
the interviews, and provides introductions
***** to other organizations in the community.
Henderson Libraries provides the recording
This past December UNLV Special space, equipment, and transcripts for the
Collections and Archives was thrilled to oral histories, as well as hosts the videos
receive a $100,000 grant from the online via the Henderson Libraries Digital
National Endowment for Humanities to Collections. Henderson Libraries also hosts UNLV Barbara Tabach and Claytee White
document the contributions of Latino the Henderson Oral History Consortium, a
Communities to Southern Nevada's community of collaboration in Southern
development. The grant came with a Nevada that includes representatives from
challenge: to receive the grant funding University of Nevada—Las Vegas’ OralYou can also read
