University of Montana

Abstract Linda Smith describes her childhood and education, her experiences in the Peace Corps and her introduction to feminist and underground publications. She explains her initial interest in printing, working first for an alternative press in Texas, and then establishing Mountain Moving Press in Missoula, Montana. After closing down the press, Smith got involved in In Other Words, an NPR program with the intent of wanting women's voices to speak for themselves on the radio, in their own language...

Abstract Nancy Munro describes her initial contact with early childhood education and the events that led to her work as the nutritionist/dietician with the 1965 pilot Headstart Program in Montana. She explains the challenges of getting the program running and how it functioned as well as how she realized the effectiveness of positive reinforcement as she worked with mothers to improve cooking and nutrition habits. Munro recalls interactions with children, partents, administrators, and...

Abstract Robert Derry talks about working as a smokejumper in 1943 and 1946. He also discusses his brothers Frank, Chet, and Virgil, who were all smokejumpers and were involved with the early development of the program. He recalls supervising the conscientious objectors in 1943 at age 17, and returning to the program as a war veteran in 1946. Derry talks about his disillusionment with the U.S. Forest Service, which caused him to leave the smokejumper program, and his later career as a professional...

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Robert Martin discusses the one season he worked as a smokejumper in 1941. He talks about the training at the Nine Mile Ranger Station in Montana, the equipment, and the equipment modifications he helped make. Martin also describes some of the leaders in the smokejumper program at that time, including Frank Derry and Glen Smith.

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Roger Wolfertz describes his experiences smokejumping in Cave Junction, Oregon, in 1948 and 1949. He talks about the social life on the base, injuries on both training and fire jumps, and fighting fires.

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Ronald Lund talks about training and jumping in Alaska. He also discusses changes to equipment, in administration, and in attitudes from when he started in 1964 to 1984. Lund recalls the driving force behind those changes were several accidents involving smokejumpers.

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Dr. Roy Wenger describes his experiences as director of the Mennonite Central Committee’s Civilian Public Service (CPS) Camp 103 at Seeley Lake and Nine Mile, Montana. He talks about logistical problems in the camp, including keeping the base supplied. Wenger also discusses the relationship between the conscientious objectors and Forest Service personnel and local communities.

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Sally Mullen describes her family background, her experience as a founding member of the Blue Mountain Clinic in Missoula, and her three stints as executive director of that organization. Mullen relates her experiences with staffing the clinic, social views of abortion, anti-choice protesters, the fire-bombing of the clinic, and the rebuilding process. Mullen considers feminism and women's right at a national and international level.

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Sherrill King talks about her smokejumper training experiences at the Redmond, Oregon smokejumper base and her experiences as a rookie jumper which included initiations. She also discusses the politics of being a female smokejumper, her interactions with male smokejumpers, and the different expectations for women.

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Steven Reynaud talks about his career as a smokejumper at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base in Winthrop, Washington, and the base in La Grande, Oregon, from 1965 to 1984. He discusses the smokejumper equipment and how it has changed over the years. Reynaud also comments on the two seasons he spent jumping in the eastern United States, and contrasts it to the western part of the country.