Oral History Interview with Maureen McCauley and Pat Shirle

Title: Oral History Interview with Maureen McCauley and Pat Shirle
LC Subject: Lesbianism Lesbian community
Local Collection ID: Coll 520
Repository: University of Oregon. Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
Interviewee: McCauley, Maureen Shirley, Pat
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: Maureen was born in 1956 in Alexandria, Virginia. Her father was in the army. They moved to South Carolina. She and her two brothers attended Catholic schools. Growing up, Maureen was happy, active, and did sports. While in high school, she had a sense of having crushes on girls, not boys, though she was not aware of lesbianism. She went to college in 1974, and met Pat Shirley, who also attended the University of South Carolina. They became partners, and remained partners for two years after they both moved to Eugene. Maureen discusses bar culture and butch/femme culture. Maureen relates a story about she and Pat being stalked. Maureen came to Eugene and went to the University of Oregon where she studied exercise physiology. Maureen worked at Starflower Natural Foods & Botanicals. She also worked at Laurel Hill Rehabilitation Center. Maureen relates an incident of rape in Eugene, which was inadequately dealt with by the police. Safe Run, a feminist service that rented Doberman Pinschers, was created to help protect women. She discusses Oregon Measure 9. Once she became an occupational therapist, she was always out. Maureen got married to her partner. She concludes the interview by discussing aging and cohousing options for lesbians. Pat was born in 1954 in Glendale, California. She discusses family chaos when she was growing up. At home, she was rebellious and angry, but with friends she was happy. She had crushes on her female friends but had no words to describe her feelings. Pat went to a small college for a year. She then met Maureen McCauley at the University of South Carolina, where they became lovers. Pat talks about the restrictive nature of southern culture and knowing she had to move away from South Carolina. She and Maureen knew they had to stay under the radar with their relationship, but the women’s movement also emboldened them. Pat discusses women’s music and living in Eugene. She discusses the “Amazon” label in Eugene. After graduating from UO, Pat worked as a VISTA volunteer. She also worked at Wild Iris restaurant. Pat had a career in the mental health field and had an internship at Womenspace. She discusses sex, politics and living in Eugene. She and Maureen remained friends after they broke up. Pat discusses the nature of lesbian friendships and the value of relationships. Pat discusses the Oregon Citizens Alliance and Measure 9. She also talks about assimilation over the years.
Subject: Bars (Drinking establishments) -- Oregon – Eugene; Butch and femme (Lesbian culture); Cohousing; Collectives; Cooperatives; Disowned by family; Exercise -- Physiological aspects; Laurel Hill Rehabilitation Center; Occupational therapy; Rape; Rape – prevention; South Carolina; Shirley, Pat; Southern culture; Stalking victims; Lesbian identity; Lesbian community – Oregon; Southern culture; Southern States – Civilization; Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA); Wild Iris (restaurant); Women – abuse of; Womenspace (Eugene, Or.); Women’s movement.
Location: University of Oregon >> Lane County >> Oregon >> United States
Date: 2018-09-07
Identifier: Coll520_do031
Rights: In Copyright
Dc Rights Holder: University of Oregon Libraries
Local Collection Name: Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project
Type: Collection
Format: application/xml
Set: Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project
Primary Set: Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project
Institution: University of Oregon