Oral History Interview with Susie Grimes: Video, Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project

Title: Oral History Interview with Susie Grimes: Video, 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: Grimes, Susie
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: Susie was born into a conservative family in Dayton, Ohio in 1954. In high school, Susie played sports. She had a boyfriend but fell in love with a female basketball opponent. Susie didn’t know about homosexuality, but her mother was aware and was concerned about Susie’s future. She had Susie see a psychiatrist, which was a bad experience. Susie attended Wright State University. She became a hippie, and when she was nineteen years old, she moved to Eugene where she saw people who saw the world in a different way. She describes the collectives that flourished in Eugene at the time. She describes the “Energy Bank,” a way for people to exchange services, without using money. Susie attended UO for a short time and was a part of the group that formed the Hoedads tree planting cooperative. She describes life in Eugene. She describes harassment and a hate crime against her at the Riviera Room, a gay bar. Susie discusses her experiences on Oregon Women’s Land (OWL Farm). Susie talks about working in Full Moon Rising, the all-women tree planting crew. She describes harvesting seeds in the Rogue River area, and her fall from a tree that left her disabled. Susie became involved in the disabilities rights movement. She joined the wheelchair basketball team, Shooting Stars, and had an international Paralympics career, winning gold medals and a silver medal. She began work with Mobility International USA (MIUSA). Susie owns several horses and enjoys riding. She was part of a small group that started a program, Ride Able—recreational riding for people with disabilities. She lives on her farm with her partner and parents.
Subject: Alternative insemination; Ballot Measure 8; Ballot Measure 9; Human; Eugene School District 4J; Hult Center for the Performing Arts (Eugene, Or.); Lesbian mothers -- United States; Oregon Citizens Alliance; Quackenbush Hardware Store (Eugene, Oregon); Parenting; Self-insemination.
Location: University of Oregon >> Lane County >> Oregon >> United States
Date: 2018-09-07
Identifier: Coll520_do022
Rights: In Copyright
Dc Rights Holder: University of Oregon Libraries
Local Collection Name: Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project
Type: Moving Image
Format: video/mp4
Set: Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project
Institution: University of Oregon