University of Montana

Abstract Bill Moody talks about being involved in the smokejumper program from 1957 until the date of the interview in 1984. He describes his roles at two different smokejumping bases, both as a smokejumper and as an administrator. Moody talks about working as a smokejumper, trainer, and squad leader at La Grande, Oregon, from 1957 to 1965, before transferring to the North Cascades Smokejumper Base in Winthrop, Washington, where he became base manager in 1972. He also discusses his experiences...

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Bryony Schwan describes her early background, her first sight of Missoula, and the events that led her to champion environmental and feminism side-by-side. She explains the impact of toxins on the environment and the results of Women's Voices for the Earth WVE and other organizations on eliminating and limiting toxins.

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Carol Snetsinger explains the events leading up to the initiation of the equal rights/benefits for partners lawsuit titled Snetsinger v. State of Montana, the hate mail and arson that followed, and the overwhelming community support in response. She describes her experiences as a spokesperson for gay rights in Missoula and Montana and recalls her early months in Missoula searching for a gay community.

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Carol Williams describes her early years in Butte, Montana, early role models in AAUW, and teaching in the Butte Head Start program. She explains the Peace Links organization and their goal of empowering women's voices on a community and national level and their later work in promoting international links with women. Williams also describes her viewpoint and efforts on behalf of teachers and education.

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Caryl Wickes-Connick discusses her initial interest in domestic violence in the mid-seventies and her subsquent work to establish women's shelters and to acquire funding to study spousal abuse and lobby for laws that protected victims and defined domestic abuse as a criminal offense.

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Cat Carrel describes her early years, her education, her definition of feminism, and how she became the editor of Outspoken, a Missoula, Montana based gay and lesbian newsletter. She also discusses her role as one of the original organizers of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center in Missoula.

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Charles Nyquist describes the 13 seasons he worked as a smokejumper, from 1954 to 1972. He discusses the training and facilities at the Missoula, Montana base, the role of the spotter, and his jumps in Yellowstone National Park. He also recalls one experience when he was in a Ford Tri-motor airplane that lost an engine.

Abstract Chuck Sheley compares his eight years (1959-1966) smokejumping from Cave Junction, Oregon, with his four years (1966-1970) jumping from McGrath and Fairbanks, Alaska. He describes how a small base like Cave Junction promotes a tight sense of camaraderie unlike larger bases. Sheley discusses how differences in terrain and climate impact in different regions of the United States impact regular smokejumper activities such as firefighting, let downs, and packouts. He also compares the U.S....

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David Flaccus describes his experiences as a smokejumper during World War Two from 1943 through 1945 through the Civilian Public Service program (CPS). He discusses training at Seeley Lake, Montana, fire jumps in Idaho, the financial problems experienced by the conscientious objectors, and the moral obligation they felt to succeed as smokejumpers.