Oral History Interview with Paula Jo Vaden: Video, Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project

Title: Oral History Interview with Paula Jo Vaden: 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: Vaden, Paula Jo
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: Paula Jo was born in 1953 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She had an early awareness of her lesbian sexuality, but kept it to herself. In the first grade, she had a crush on her classmate Patty. By high school, she was aware of homophobia, and became uncomfortable and feared she would be shot. However, her brothers accepted her, and called her “butch.” She talks about the race riots at her high school. Paula Jo describes her musical interests. By age sixteen, she had an electric guitar. She talks about playing in bands. After high school, she worked as a bagger at Safeway and as a hotel maid. She also did carpentry. She moved to Oregon with her friends Tim and Michelle. Paula Jo relates that this was the first time she saw trees. In Eugene and living in a community of people called the “Eugene Coalition,” Paula Jo learned about sexism, racism, and Marxism. Her friends Tim and Michelle were Baha’is, and so was Paula Jo, until, as she relates, she learned that Baha’is do not tolerate homosexuality. In 1974, she was interviewed for a job at Starflower Natural Foods & Botanicals. Paula Jo did warehouse work and then became a trucker. She talks about the progressive mission of Starflower, but also the difficulties of operating a cooperative. She discusses playing in bands, and describes the members and the music. She concludes her interview by discussing assimilation of the lesbian community, and aging.
Subject: Bands (music); Black Panther Party; Camilio, Cheryl; Collectives; Cooperatives; Cormier, Lesbian identity; Sager, Jill; Soulicious (band); TranSister (band); Trucking.
Location: University of Oregon >> Lane County >> Oregon >> United States
Date: 2018-11-03
Identifier: Coll520_do059
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