Oral History Interview with Martha Pitts: Video, Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project

Title: Oral History Interview with Martha Pitts: 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: Pitts, Martha
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: Martha was born in 1960 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but grew up in the south in a poor and religious family. While in high school, she dated a few boys. She struggled with her religious beliefs and the recognition of her sexuality. She graduated from Indiana University and started her college admissions work there. The coming out process was difficult. Martha had heard Eugene was a great place to be a lesbian, and she moved there in 1986. She describes Eugene as “Nirvana” and discusses lesbian social life in Eugene at the time. Martha worked for many years in the Admissions Office at the University of Oregon. She describes working at the University of Oregon and the support she received from administrators, such as Lorraine Davis, UO Vice President of Academic Affairs at that time. She also describes Jackie Balzer, who worked at UO and was the first in the country to include LGBTQ students in student affairs. Prospective LGBTQ students were included in student recruitment. She describes the fear she and others felt when the anti-gay ballot measures took place in Oregon. Later, Martha worked as a consultant, and for the College Board, where she worked on redesigning the SAT. She and her partner were married in Multnomah County but that marriage annulled by the state. She discusses the work of the Oregon ACLU. She and her partner belong to the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Eugene. She finishes her interview by talking about health and activities during retirement.
Subject: Aging; Alley, Henry, 1945; American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon; Bars (Drinking establishments) -- Oregon – Eugene; Coming out (sexual orientation); Fidanque, David; Lesbian community; Perry’s; Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT); Softball; Student recruitment.
Location: University of Oregon >> Lane County >> Oregon >> United States
Date: 2018-08-31
Identifier: Coll520_do045
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