Oral History Interview with Kate Barry: Transcript, Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project
- Title
- Oral History Interview with Kate Barry: Transcript, Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project
- LC Subject
- Lesbianism Lesbian community
- Local Collection ID
- Coll 520
- Repository
- University of Oregon. Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
- Interviewee
- Barry, Kate
- Interviewer
- Long, Linda, 1956- Raiskin, Judith L.
- Description
- The Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project collection consists of interviews of 83 people for the Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project, conducted by Professor Judith Raiskin and Curator Linda Long at the University of Oregon starting in the summer of 2018.
- Abstract
- Kate was born in Northern England in 1944, in coal country. She grew up there in a working class family. Her father was a member of a labor union. Growing up, she became aware of the value of labor and of community. As a child, Kate was a tomboy and her parents were at odds with her temperament. Kate discusses the elitism of the British school system and her path through it. She received a degree in philosophy and psychology and started teaching. Meanwhile, she was in two bands, performing as a singer. She taught for two years at a college in London. At this time, she began reading feminist theory. In 1973, she moved to the United States, enrolled at the University of Oregon and studied with Sociology Professor Joan Acker. She started teaching at Lane Community College. She loved teaching, and as the only professor in Women’s Studies, she developed the curriculum. In 1985 Kate started the program “Women in Transition,” which helped women develop a career plan. Kate discusses sexuality and the lesbian community. In the early 1980s, she fell in love with a woman. Meanwhile, Kate received a doctorate in education from Oregon State University. Kate discusses the anti-gay ballot measures. Kate became Associate Vice President for student affairs at Lane Community College. In this position, she dealt with sexual harassment policies and discrimination issues. She was also able to put gender identity into the policies. She worked with University of Oregon feminist professors Joan Acker and Sandra Morgen on their welfare project. Kate retired in 2013. She became the president of the Board of Soromundi Lesbian Chorus of Eugene. She finishes her interview by discussing sexual identity and aging issues.
- Subject
- Ballot Measure 8; Ballot Measure 9; Education -- Great Britain; Lane Community College (Eugene, Or.) – Women in Transition Program; Lesbian identity; Oregon Citizens Alliance; Soromundi Lesbian Chorus of Eugene; University of Oregon. Department of Sociology.
- Location
- University of Oregon >> Lane County >> Oregon >> United States
- Date
- 2019-07-30
- Identifier
- Coll520_do065
- Rights
- In Copyright
- Dc Rights Holder
- University of Oregon Libraries
- Local Collection Name
- Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project
- Type
- Text
- Format
- application/pdf
- Set
- Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project
- Institution
- University of Oregon
