It was a clear moment for me. In 1993, I attended my first California Democratic Party State Convention. I had just turned 20 and was activein both Democratic politics and student government as an organizer, albeit very behind-the-scenes. The world was full of possibility.
Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein had just made history as the first two female senators elected to represent California. "The Year of the Woman" was proudly proclaimed as President Bill Clinton was beginning his first term in office. Yet, as I was wandering through the convention hall in Sacramento, absorbing the many organizations, issues, candidates, speeches and activists, I felt something was missing.
At that moment, I noticed a large merchandise table for the National Women’s Political Caucus. Beyond the usual bumper stickers, buttons, posters and books was a very friendly woman with bright orange hair, a big smile and eagerness to find out what I was looking for. "Not sure," I replied. She introduced herself as Mary Stanley and then promptly handed me a speech to read:
We are in for a very long haul… I am asking for Everything You Have To Give. We will never give up… You will lose your Youth, your Sleep, your Patience, your sense of Humor and occasionally… the understanding & support of the people you Love very much. In Return, I have nothing to offer you but… your pride in being a woman, and all the Dreams you’ve ever had for your daughters, and nieces and grandaughters… Your Future and the certain Knowledge that at the end of your days you will be able to look back and say that Once in your life you gave Everything you had for Justice.
~Jill Ruckelshaus at the 1977 NWPC-CA State Convention in San Jose
It was in that moment when the spirit of feminism became real for me. Something shifted. A desire to connect with the larger movement began, along with a interest in documenting women’s stories through oral history & personal narrative. In later years, I would document the life story of Mary Stanley, who still, to this day, travels the country promoting pro-choice women with her merchandise table and passion for electing women to office. I believe strongly that feminism is the movement of many movements, the story of individuals, each with deeply personal experiences, diverse and profound. All told, our stories speak many truths.
At the Feminist 2.0 conference, I am interested in documenting some of those "moments" on video — and believe by sharing our stories, we connect past to present, laying the groundwork for a future we all
know is possible.
If you have a story or a moment you’d like to share on video, please email me.
As an addendum:
Men’s stories as feminists are equally important, too. And usually, when I reference Jill Ruckelshaus’ speech, I often add in “our sons, nephews grandsons” — the collective wisdom in *all* of our stories is vitally important.
I’m so glad you’re doing this. I am an oral historian trained in the spirit of feminist researchers and I am often dismayed by how often the feminist intellectual history in the field of Oral History (and OH as a methodology in other fields) gets left out — people reference OH’s roots in Labor history and changes in cultural anthropology but they do not bring up the specific input of feminist activists and academics. A lot of the feminist research techniques (non-hierarchical, interdependent) have become absorbed in HUMANist work, which is great, but so much is lost if we shy away from referencing Feminisms. It inspired me to teach this seminar here, if anyone in the NY area is interested: http://brooklynhistory.org/oral_history/oh_seminar.html
Jen,
Great comment on the importance and impact of Mary’s work. Many of us in Fresno consider her a saint. Your oral history project is much needed as younger people (I am now 61, so there are a lot of younger people compared to me) need to here about the struggles, sexism, discrimination, and triumphs over the last 75 years. What can individuals and groups do to help you with your project?
Howard K. Watkins
Fresno, CA
watkins3@comcast.net