Women

Abstract

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.

Abstract

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.

Abstract

Jennifer Euell describes her early years and education. She explains her transition from journalism to social work and to her current position as Coordinator of SARS (Sexual Assault Recovery Service) at the University of Montana. Euell discusses her interactions with other groups on and off campus in working with sexual assault victims.

Abstract Judy Smith describes her pro-choice work in Austin, Texas and her intent to carry that work forward in Missoula, Montana. Smith explains the work of the Missoula Women's Place, a feminist collective organization, and it's role as an intermediate step to opening an abortion clinic. She also explains the non-hierarchical organization of Women's Place, their work with rape victims, domestic violence, community education, and the group's funding issues. Smith discusses her own perspective on...

Abstract

Judy Wang describes her childhood, education, earlier career in nursing, and her decision to become an attorney. She goes on to describe the evolution of her work on domestic violence cases, public and law enforcement domestic violence education, domestic violence laws in Montana, and domestic violence in the context of needed social change.

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...