OUR AMAZING YEAR SO FAR—2019
by Phebe (Karen) Beiser, Co-Founder & Co-Director
In January Annabelle & Phebe spoke to the monthly PFLAG meeting. We also had an Ohio State University librarian come to see our collection; she was very interested in our three feminist bookstore collections.
February saw two researchers. On February 22nd, Laura flew into town from NYC to research what would become a film starring Cincinnati’s own Michael Chanak.
Great Big Story, an award-winning global media company owned by CNN, eventually released “The Words Matter: One Voice Can Make a Difference.” Michael initiated the struggle for inclusion of sexual orientation in Procter & Gamble’s nondiscrimination policy in 1987. You can view the documentary on YouTube. We congratulate Michael for his dedicated work early on as well as his continuing support for the Archives!
Ken Schenk, author of the book LGBTQ Cleveland, came to research what will become LGBTQ Cincinnati. The book will be released for Pride next June and Ken will come to Cincinnati for a reception.
March and April allowed us to rest and enjoy the beginning of spring …..
In May Phebe recorded a podcast interview (to be aired in the summer) with Chris Fortin of OutCincinnati (Radio Artifact). He and Melissa interviewed her about the Ohio Lesbian Archives history and collection. She also spoke to a CItyBeat reporter which developed into …..
June
….. the lead article in its annual Pride Issue. The Archives had two pages of publicity!
Panels telling the stories of “50 Years of LGBTQ History in Greater Cincinnati” were borrowed by the downtown public library for the first ever display for Pride Month. Second Sunday in Main (OTR) showed the panels during its focus on Pride. The panels were created by Nancy Yerian/Vibrant Kin (with grant money from People’s Liberty) and displayed at Pride 2017, NKU, Mt. Auburn Presbyterial Church, and OutReels 2018.
On June 15th, a contingent of lesbian and gay activists from Dayton traveled to OLA to see our collection. They were beginning the Greater Dayton LGBTQ+ Her/Herstory Project. Jerry Lyndon Mallicoat interviewed and recorded Phebe for StoryCorps’ focus on lgbtq people for the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall.
Orie Givens of Spectrum News (Columbus) drove down June 20th to do a video interview on the Archives. Phebe and a young African American lesbian visitor spoke for this newscast.
The Taft Museum invited Vic Ramstetter and Phebe Beiser to do a talk for its monthly Women’s Luncheon on June 26th. Phebe created a PowerPoint showing people and items associated with OLA’s herstory. The event was well-attended and longtime supporters and friends Maggie & Mary treated them to lunch at the Café.
July saw new volunteers Deb Meem and Michelle Gibson, a power couple of PhD retired professors from the University of Cincinnati. Deb was Director of Women’s Studies, Gender, & Sexuality. Wow! Deb was responsible for hanging up most of the artwork in the Archives in preparation for our Open House September 7th.
In August Victoria Ramstetter and Phebe Beiser (founders & directors of the Archives) were interviewed twice – 1) WVXU 91.7 FM, Michael Monks’ “Inside Edition” program on Cincinnati happenings (27th) and 2) an hour+ video interview for Ohio History Connection, part of the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus. Video done as part of celebrating the 100th anniversary since the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote. The organization is focusing on telling the story of over 100 years of women’s activism. It will take the form of an exhibit that will travel the state. Our interview is part of an oral history with current female leaders and activists in Ohio. Vic and Phebe shared their decades of activism.
Saturday, September 7th 6-9:30pm: The 30th Anniversary of the Ohio Lesbian Archives! Since our beginning in 1989 in a 3rd floor room above the Crazy Ladies Bookstore, the Archives has been collecting books, periodicals, music, photographs, posters, and realia focusing on lesbian history. We include GBTQ histories and other materials as well. More than a reference library, OLA is evolving into a museum with trophies, political buttons, statues, a labyris, and gay history card games. We are the only known collection of its kind in the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana region. Our Celebration is at Clifton United Methodist Church in the meeting room on the lower level. We are proud to have a room in a church of an accepting congregation. This marks our 13th year here.
6 responses to “OLA’s Amazing Year Jan-Sept 2019”
What wonderful work, Phebe! Delighted to see the fruits of all that energy from women and men who have made such a difference and Deb and I applaud you.
Appreciate your thanks, Alden. I remember you from years (decades?) ago. I sincerely hope all is going well with you and those you care for. Phebe
Years ago I lived in Cincinnati and there was a women’s bar called Shitley’s. Does anyone know the date it first opened?
Shirley’s. Damn autocorrect!
Hi, puelladreaming, Sorry you’ve had to wait so long for an answer. I’m assuming you mean ShiRley’s which was around for awhile. I’ll be at the Archives this week and see if our file “Bars” has any information. You can always contact The Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County and have a librarian check a few years of the Cincinnati City Directory. The bar was in Clifton, part of the city limits. I’d recommend they spot check every five years, as many books as they’re willing to do. Hope this helps, Phebe for OLA
Oh, now I see that you DID mean ShiRley’s. See my answer above.