Lesbianism

Date: 17 May 2000

From: Women's Studies Association feminist oral history project

By: Hyman, Prudence Janet, 1943-

Reference: OHInt-0556-05

Description: Prudence Hyman, known as Prue, was born in Harrow, Middlesex, England in 1943. Talks about family relationships, importance of liberal Jewish culture in family life, Jewish Society at Oxford and father's death. Describes enjoyment of academia, Somerville College, Oxford, and involvement in the Oxford University Liberal Club, politics and sport. Describes first job as statistician, a major relationship, and emigrating to New Zealand in 1969 to work at Victoria University, Wellington. Describes development of her feminist consciousness, involvement in Women's Studies at Victoria and the Women's Studies Association, and awareness of links between ethnic, class and gender discrimination. Comments on importance of feminist literature, discusses integrating her Jewish side with feminism, lesbianism and identity issues. Mentions important feminist influences, including Phillida Bunkle, Jacqui Matthews, Beryl Hughes and Janet Holmes. Talks about Victoria University's Economics Department staff's response to feminism, and establishing a feminist economics course. Discusses feminist analysis of power, pay equity, race, class and gender issues, and the market view of women's traditional workplaces. Describes work at Ministry of Women's Affairs in 1989-1990. Mentions work on pay equity with Margaret Wilson and Heather Simpson. Talks about getting feminist economics into accepted economics journals, and her recent research on lesbian issues and economics, published in 'Journal of Lesbian Studies'. Comments on benefits of feminism and on how women are still disadvantaged. Mentions that the issue of how we value work needs to change. Discusses the state of women's studies and lesbian studies at universities and the women's movement now. Talks about involvement in many organisations. Other - Includes two photocopied photographs of Prue Hyman. Interviewer(s) - Jill Abigail Accompanying material - CV and biographical information form Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008535, OHC-008536 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Physical Description: Textual files - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2653, OHDL-001002. 2 b&w headshot photographs of Prue Hyman

Date: 11 06 00 - 11 Jun 2000

From: YWCA of Wellington and Hutt Valley oral history project

By: Sangster, Ronda Christine, 1955-

Reference: OHInt-0590-6

Description: Ronda Sangster was born in 1955 in Wellington. Talks about her mother, the effect of her mother's health on their relationship, and her sister, father and stepfather. Mentions being educated at a catholic primary school and Wellington East Girl's College. Discusses awareness at school of the Vietnam War, anti-American views, lesbianism but not the women's movement. Mentions interests in the student youth movement and partying at University. Discusses working as the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) Community Officer and becoming Programme Director at age 22. Talks about the school holiday programmes, the drop-in centre, after-school centre, Nydia Bay Camps, wine and cheese evenings, discos and the Willis Street building. Talks about the role of YWCA in establishing business and professional women. Mentions other women involved in the organisation. Discusses having to go through several layers to get anything new approved. Mentions that there was no feminist perspective in YWCA in 1977. Talks about efforts to make the Nydia Bay Camps more professional in the 1990s. Mentions her working class background and that as a child her only holidays were sponsored ones. Mentions board member Jim Conder, employing Jenny Gill, attending the South Pacific YWCA Conference, and then changing jobs to work at the Wellington Trades Council on unemployment issues. Talks about coming out as a lesbian within the Trade Union Movement, and getting involved in the women's network in Trades Hall. Mentions that she felt more at home in the union setting than in the YWCA. Describes involvement in a women's group and influential feminist writers. Talks about why she left the union movement to work in management in the Public Service in human resources and focusing on equal employment opportunities. Talks about working in private sector in Human Resources for international business consultants KPMG Peat Marwick. Describes how her feminism is never compromised in her professional life, and wanting balance in her life. Interviewer(s) - Jill Abigail Accompanying material - Project release form, biographical information, CV. Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-9063-9065 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.21 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2873. Photocopies of 3 photos: Portrait (midshot) 1976, ca. 1999. Group shot with three Vanuatu women, 1978. Search dates: 1970 - 1985

Date: 22 Apr 1993

From: Women in Welfare Work Oral History Project.

By: Balzer, Roma, 1954-

Reference: OHInt-0086/05

Description: Roma Balzer was born in Rotorua in 1954 and grew up there. Describes beginning training at Tokanui Hospital in teaching the multihandicapped and leaving to have children. Talks about getting involved in a steering committee establishing a women's refuge. Describes the makeup of the committee and the work involved in setting up the house. Talks about the trauma of seeing violence. Comments on her sense of dislocation in Pakeha dominated meetings. Describes a growing awareness of the oppression of Maori women and involvement in Hikoi Ki Waitangi, Mana Motuhake and the Springbok tour. Talks about attending marches around the country, being batoned and police brutality. Discusses divisions in the women's refuge movement over Maori and non-Maori, men's involvement and lesbian visibility. Recalls becoming National Co-ordinator in 1986, getting funding from the Department of Social Welfare and the Hamilton Abuse Intervention Pilot Project (HAIP). Describes being a refuge worker in Rotorua. Explains the change of focus of the refuge away from social change. Discusses Mana Motuhake. Venue - Hamilton : 1993 Interviewer(s) - Penny Ehrhardt Venue - HAIP Office, Hamilton Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-006388; OHC-006389 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1484. Processing information: Record updated 1 August 2023 when the name was corrected from "Roma Balzar" to Roma Balzer.

Date: 23 Apr 1994

From: Women in Welfare Work Oral History Project.

By: Saphira, Miriam Edna (Dr), 1941-

Reference: OHInt-0086/04

Description: Miriam Saphira outlines her community involvement beginning with the Inglewood Country Girls' Club. Discusses her experiences on the local kindergarten committee and her concern about the smacking of children which led to working in the Justice Department dealing with the sexual abuse of children through working with prostitutes and male offenders. Talks about her reasons for going to university to become a psychologist and a counsellor; contact with feminism through the University creche; meeting Sandra Coney; joining Auckland Womens' Liberation Movement and her strong belief in children's rights. Mentions full-time work for Broadsheet magazine.Discusses her publications `The sexual abuse of children' and `Amazon mothers'. Describes the research for her PhD on children's understanding of sexual orientation. Describes reaction to sexual abuse statistics. Discusses the NZ Womens Weekly questionnaires on rape, domestic violence and sexual abuse and obtaining funding for groups such as Rape Crisis Centres. Gives views on issues in the welfare of women, abortion, health information, day-care and parent-child relationships, especially in a sole parenting situation. Talks about being Secretary General of the International Lesbian and Gay Association. Discusses attacks on her work and herself as a lesbian. Describes work as mananger of Manawai, the special Service (NZCYPS) in Hamilton including video interviews with children for court evidence. Outlines her work on the Trust Board of the NZ Aids Foundation. Discusses the lack of positive information for young people coming out as lesbian or gay and talks about suicide. Mentions the use of ECT, drug therapy, lobotomy and rape she has encountered in counselling lesbians. Outlines positive changes and the role of anit-discrimination legislation. Talks about her book `Stopping child abuse', ways of rearing boys, programmes in school and sexual abuse of people with disabilities. Venue - Hamilton : 1993 Interviewer(s) - Penny Ehrhardt Venue - Manawai Social Support Services, Hamilton Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-006390; OHC-006391 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 1485.

Date: 22 Aug 1998

From: Lower Hutt Women's Centre oral history project

By: Bagnall, Sylvia, 1944-

Reference: OHInt-0560/2

Description: Sylvia Bagnall born Palmerston North 1944. Describes her introduction to the Women's Centre Lower Hutt when she was working for the Help Foundation. Refers to Wendy Thompson. Discusses interest in Women's Health Collective and the need for women in the Hutt Valley to make contact with other women. Mentions reading Broadsheet and her own path to feminist activities. Describes setting up the Women's Centre Board of Trustees, mentioning Sonja Davies, Diana Stogre Power, Mayoress Evans and Pat Hall (City Councillor). Mentions PACIFICA. Describes YWCA and their change of emphasis to social activism and negotiations to swap the YWCA hall for a house the Women's Centre could use. Mentions Rosemary Barrington. Refers to Centre as a refuge. Describes the role of the Centre's Board of Trustees and the tension between trying to be respectable and trying to have a revolution. Refers to the monthly feminist series set up for women. Mentions Helen Clark, Jan Jordan, Glory Box (Pinky Agnew and Therese O'Connell). Recalls involvement in organising and running Homophobia and Treaty (of Waitangi) workshops. Describes the background behind the Homophobia workshops and response from participants. Mentions the lesbian presence at the Women's Centre. Also mentions Women's Refuge and their relationship with the Women's Centre. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Mathea Roorda Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-009417 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3050.

Date: 15 Jun 1998

From: Lower Hutt Women's Centre oral history project

By: Drake-Brockman, Stephanie Susan, 1958-

Reference: OHInt-0560/3

Description: Stephanie Susan Drake-Brockman born Western Australia 1958 where she trained as a teacher. Gives reasons for coming to New Zealand in 1984. Talks about her early days in New Zealand, working on a raspberry farm, and a dairy farm before moving to Wellington. Recalls taking an Assertiveness course at the Women's Centre Lower Hutt. Describes the establishment of the Women's Centre and the support they needed to get from the Hutt City Council. Talks about her involvement as a volunteer and as a paid worker at the Centre. Refers to Ally Burns (now Andersun). Also refers to Women's Centre establishment committee members, Ali Carew, Sylvia Bagnall, Pat Hall, Noleen Matthews and the wife of Mayor Glen Evans. Discusses the role of Lesbians in women's organisations. Discusses the impact of RHA (Regional Health Authority) and other funding on the Women's Centre. Describes the relationship between the Women's Centre and their next door neighbours which was initially hostile. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Mathea Roorda Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-009418 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3051.

Date: 7 Jul 1998 - 07 Jul 1998

From: Lower Hutt Women's Centre oral history project

By: Andersun, Allison, 1950-

Reference: OHInt-0560/1

Description: Allison (Ally) Andersun born Lower Hutt 1950. Recalls attending an assertiveness course after the birth of last child, run by Beth Wood and Corianne Graham and later running a six-week assertiveness course at the Women's Centre through TOPS. Mentions Dale Little. Describes the content of courses. Mentions Vicky Gregory, employed to research women's needs in the Hutt Valley. Talks about Centre's move to new premises at Knights Road and attitude of neighbours. Describes role as co-ordinator and how it has changed. Recalls getting a qualification in counselling and comments on being more interested in personal development and psychodrama. Describes setting up a course for teenage girls. Mentions that some women are freaked out by the lesbian presence at the Centre. Reflects on the difference between the Women's Centre and other women's centres. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Mathea Roorda Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-009415-009416 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3049.

Date: 28 Nov 2000

From: Jewish women in education oral history project

By: Hyman, Prudence Janet, 1943-

Reference: OHInt-0715/2

Description: Prudence Janet (Prue) Hyman born Middlesex, near London, 1943. Recalls living in London first 20 years of life. Describes the place of Judaism in her family. Discusses aspects of Liberal Judaism and talks about several of the Jewish observances practiced in her home during the years she was growing up. Refers to own drift away from the religious side of Judaism after leaving Oxford University. Recalls that after father's death, mother worked for the Liberal Jewish Movement and this employment continued for the rest of her working life. Talks about school life and discusses aspects of the experience of being Jewish at these schools. Talks about the place of Zionism in her upbringing and refers to her later views about Israel. Talks about her life at Oxford University and her involvement in political activities with the Liberal Party, debating, and in the campaign to get women admitted to the Oxford Union. Gives reasons for coming to New Zealand. Refers to her lesbian sexual orientation, noting that her sexuality and her work are linked and cannot discuss the one without the other. Describes aspects of her early years in the Economics Department (Victoria University) and her present designation as Associate Professor. Refers to the impact of the `second wave of feminism' from the early 1970s and to the origins of her involvement in Women's Studies at Victoria. Refers to Phillidda Bunkle and Beryl Hughes. Describes some of her early research in Feminist Economics and notes that since the mid 1970s Feminist Economics has been the focus of much of her research. Refers to the publication of her book `Women and Economics in New Zealand: Feminist Perspective (1994). Explains not becoming involved in the Jewish community while being involved in some Jewish debates and issues. Recalls renewed interest in Jewishness in the mid 1980s and refers to some Jewish lesbian feminists from the USA whose ideas and writings influenced her. Gives background to her joining the Liberal shul. Discusses work undertaken as a Feminist Economist outside the university and aspects of the two years she worked at the Ministry of Women's Affairs. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Ann Beaglehole Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-011701-011702 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s). 1.50 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-4077; OHDL-000106.

Date: 27 Apr 1992

From: Mothers and daughters oral history project

By: Scott, Betty, 1920-; Esther, Jules, 1950-

Reference: OHInt-0323/14

Description: Betty Scott born Silverhope in the Manawatu, 1920. Talks about relationship with mother, childhood in the middle of a large family, life in a small school and reasons for leaving school during Depression and working in Woolworths which had just opened in Palmerston North. Recalls attending night classes for hairdressing and after marriage opening a salon with husband in Stratford. Compares relationship with mother with that of own three daughters. Daughter Jules recalls memories of growing up, spending lots of time in the kitchen with mother, going to university in Dunedin, loneliness, and becoming anorexic in second year. Talks about anorexy which wasn't recognised as such in those days. Recalls combining teaching career with bringing up family, converting garage with QE II grant and opening a dance school, assertiveness course, feminist awareness and getting involved with WELD. Backgrounds becoming coordinator for Women's Refuge in Palmerston, with reference to Wendy Craig. Discusses development of lesbian relationships. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Alison Gray Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-012505-012506 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-4293.

Date: 12 Oct 1992

From: Convent girls oral history project

By: Dowrick, Stephanie, 1947-

Reference: OHInt-0634/06

Description: Stephanie Dowrick born Wellington 1947. Recalls being 8 years old when mother died. Talks about father's conversion to Catholicism and subsequently own and sister's reception into the Catholic Church, change to catholic school and effect this had on own life. Describes unhappiness, necessitating many changes in primary schools. Talks about secondary school years at Sacred Heart Convent, Lower Hutt, run by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions. Comments on the large classes with 60 or 70 girls in Form III. Describes Sister Bernard who taught Latin, English and French. Other topics discussed include: constraints within Catholicism; attitudes to sex, and lesbianism; Diocesan debating competitions, drama and music; saints as role models and the legacy of catholicism which gave her an overwhelming capacity for guilt. Recalls leaving the Catholic Church and the feeling of being in a wilderness and eventually becoming a Quaker. Talks about the Quaker philosophy and the lack of dogma. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Jane Tolerton Venue - Temanov Centre Glebe Point Sydney Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-010468 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 Electronic document(s). 1 interview(s). 1 Hours Duration. 53 kilobyte(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-3589; OHDL-000286. Search dates: 1947 - 1992

Date: Jul 1995 to Apr 1998

By: Cox, Lois, active 1970-1996; Aberdein, Moira, active 1999; Ruck, Anne, active 1999

Reference: OHColl-0451

Description: Life histories of sixteen lesbians born between 1932 and 1945 with an association with Wellington. Aims to record the variety of experience within the lesbian community and to ensure that the lives of lesbians who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s are not forgotten. Interviewer(s) - Lois Cox, Moira Aberdein, Anne Ruck Arrangement: Original recordings: OHC-018320 - OHC-018376 Abstracts: OHA-6377 to OHA-6392 Tape numbers - OHC-018320 - OHC-018354 Quantity: 57 C60 cassette(s). 16 printed abstract(s). 16 interview(s). 57 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete. Processing information: Interviews not yet described

Date: 1990-1992

From: National Collective of Independent Women's Refuges : Records

Reference: 2001-162-152

Description: Financial accounts for special lesbian research projects Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1976

From: [Ephemera, posters relating to women, women's rights, employment, social status. 1970-1977]

By: Drummond, Christine Lynnette, 1947-; Herstory Press

Reference: Eph-C-WOMEN-1976-02

Description: Shows a young woman pausing by night, at a gate that leads to a path to a house with a welcome sign, balloons and a flag with a female logo. Exhibited in 'Outlines; lesbian and gay liberation in the 1970s (Exhibition)' Two copies held. Other Titles - Backstreet Theatre Group Artist and printer identified on back of file print in Ephemera Room. Quantity: 1 colour photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Photolithograph on poster 355 x 255 mm. Provenance: One copy donated by Karen Lee in 2014

Date: 1994-1997

From: National Collective of Independent Women's Refuges : Records

Reference: 2001-162-154

Description: Correspondence, circulars, reports, agendas etc relating to research into lesbian violence Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: [1991-1993]

From: National Collective of Independent Women's Refuges : Records

Reference: 2001-162-153

Description: Correspondence, circulars, reports, agendas etc relating to research into lesbian violence Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 2004

From: [Ephemera of quarto size relating to weddings and marriage in New Zealand. 2000/2009]

By: Campaign for Civil Unions (Auckland) Inc

Reference: Eph-B-MARRIAGE-2004-02

Description: A flier in the format of a Tui Beer billboard. The first sentence is in white text on a black background at the left, and the rejoinder "Yeah right", is written in orange on a red background at the right. A logo for the Civil Union Bill is at lower right. Quantity: 1 colour photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Digital print, 210 x 297 mm.

Date: 29 April 2019

From: SOS: Stories from the Sisters Overseas Service oral history project

By: Davy, Beverly May, 1942-

Reference: OHInt-1581-03

Description: Interview with Beverly Davy by Georgie Craw recorded on 29 April 2019. Topics covered in the interview include: becoming involved in feminist through partner Robin Pickett; Rape Crisis Gisborne; involvement with Sisters Overseas Service (SOS); moving to Melbourne in 1982; crossover between SOS and Rape Crisis; Abortion Law Reform petitions; fundraising for SOS; relationship with police; Air New Zealand employee involvement in SOS; underground abortions; legality of SOS; lesbianism and small town New Zealand; Springbok Tour protest in Gisborne; being political and being a journalist; Mereana Pitman; involvement in lesbian separatist workshops; living in Melbourne; burnout; journalism career; and photography and favourite photos. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 Interview(s). 2 Electronic document(s) digital abstract and recording agreement form. 1 digital sound recording(s). 1 printed abstract(s) includes recording agreement form. Search dates: 29/04/2019

Date: 1982

Reference: Eph-C-WOMEN-1982-01

Description: Satirical poster show the New Zealand coat of arms, as if issued by the Government. The text continues: "The female inhabitants of the city of Wellington will in future be required to be seen only in the company of women after the hour of 6 pm until 7 am, 7 days per week. This order will not extend beyond the time it takes women to realise that heterosexuality is unnatural and injurous [sic] to womens health". Quantity: 1 b&w photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Photocopy, 355 x 277 mm.

Date: 2016-2017

By: Gush, Nadia, active 2015-2021

Reference: OHColl-1390

Description: Interviews with lesbians who were involved in lesbian social networks in Hamilton in the 1980s with a focus on the Lesbian Links network. Interviews conducted by Nadia Gush in two phases. Phase one interviewees were Moira Cursey, Ineke Castina, Karen Wilson, Rosemary Margaret Jones, Maureen Anderson, and Helen Courtney. Phase two were Bethea Weir, Karen Cleasby, Trish Horribin, Tania Rossiter, Suzanne Collinge, Hilary Lapsley, Ruth Busch, and Jenny Rankine. Project received Award in Oral History funding from Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage in 2016 and 2017. Title supplied by LIbrary. Quantity: 14 Interview(s). Search dates: 2016 - 2017