How You Can Get Involved in the OLOHP

Share your own story

Spread the Word

Refer us to a friend
The Project continues to seek out women who identify as lesbians, are age 70 and older, and are interested in sharing their story. Priority is given to women in their 80s and  with serious health concerns. Let the Project know and we will send additional information and arrange to connect you with one of our interviewers in your area.

Volunteer interviewers are all lesbians, ranging in age from 60 to 85 and  trained by the Project.
Mary on being interviewed:
Being interviewed was a great experience for me. It gave me the opportunity to look at my life as a whole, in a linear fashion, from the beginning to now. I saw things about my life that I had never thought about before – about how my family and friends, and the circumstances of my life, had affected my life view and the way I approached things. It made me much more satisfied with what I have done over my lifetime.

Transcribe

Transcribing interviews is the single largest expense for a Herstory. If you've had some experience transcribing and would be willing to donate some of your time, we'd love to hear from you. And if you've not had experience… but are a decent typist, have patience and persistence, and would be willing to give it a try… reach out to us. We have several volunteer transcribers, but could use more!
Words about transcribing from Aganita:
It has been really wonderful to listen to stories of old lesbians from many parts of the U.S., women from varied educational, class and cultural backgrounds. I have transcribed stories of authors, and artists,  music festival producers, teachers, social workers, women in the trades, and many, many more. I get to hear countless coming out stories and many accounts of enduring love.
Left: Pacifica, born 1941, interviewed 2011
Right: Tita, born 1931, interviewed 2010
If we are in your area, we may be able to do a presentation about the Project. We'd also be glad to work with you if you'd like to give a presentation or share information with a social group, LGBTQ center, senior center, place of worship, school, or organization.

We'd be glad to send brochures, a sample chapter from each book, copies of The OLOHP Insider (our free quarterly newsletter) and other printed material. Most of these materials can also be accessed in digital format… let us know if that's what you'd prefer.
What Arden and the other women have achieved here is nothing less than the creation of an historical treasure that will serve as an invaluable resource for generations to come.
                                   Ann Bannon Weldy
If you don't fit the criteria to be interviewed yourself, but you know a woman who does, reach out to her about the OLOHP and tell her about what we are doing. If she seems interested, either let us know on the woman's behalf, giving us her contact information, or provide her with our contact information.

To keep costs under control, it may take us a while to match you, or your friend, with an interviewer who will be in the area. We'll do our best to arrange it soon, and we'll keep you informed.

Donate

The Project is proud that our Herstory work is done at no cost to the women sharing their stories. That doesn't mean it's inexpensive, though! Far from it. On average, it costs the Project $750 to complete one Herstory. This includes occasional travel and lodging expenses, recording equipment, transcribing, scanning, layout, printing, binding, postage, and more. Other than transcribing, all the labor for the Project is done by volunteers. It takes contributions from lots of people like you to keep our work going. And your donation is tax-deductible!

Encourage us!

We love hearing from people… praise is always welcome, of course, but so is constructive criticism. And we love new ideas! Contact us by following the links at the top and bottom on each page.
Telling our stories reminds us of the fullness of our lives; reading (or hearing readings of) Herstories nourishes us – reminds us that we are not alone. In that moment of shared stories – we gain strength for the work ahead of us.

Words in support of the OLOHP Project by Fai C. (from ALISS: Aging Lesbians in the South Sound)