Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
B-E Collection: Lesbians and Their Careers
SPC.2021.020
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: B-E Collection: Lesbians and Their Careers
Creator:
Barrett, Dianne
Creator:
Elfering, Margaret
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2021.020
Physical Description:
128 digital items
(127 .mp4 video files; 1 pdf)
Physical Description:
60.3 Gigabytes
Date (inclusive): March 2021-January 2023
Abstract: This collection contains oral history interviews of lesbians discussing their lives and includes discussions regarding childhood,
careers, coming out, lesbian relationships, family, hobbies, education, and other topics. Material in this collection is
available to view at:
Lesbians and Their Careers (B-E Collection)
Language of Material:
English
.
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
For information about citing archival material, see the
Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.
The B-E Collection: Lesbians and Their Careers collection contains an ongoing series of oral history interviews with lesbians
talking about their lives and includes discussions regarding childhood; family; careers and other employment opportunities;
lesbian relationships and experiences with coming out; education; gender and sexual identity; friendships; hobbies; their
thoughts regarding Roe vs. Wade; and other topics; as well as experiences with discrimination; sexual harassment; activism;
affirmative action; and equal opportunity. This collection is comprised of five series. Series I: Individual Interviews contains
interviews conducted with individuals of the lesbian community; Series II: To Have and To Hold Interviews contains interviews
with lesbian couples; Series III: Special Topic Interviews contains interviews regarding specific topics such as gay conversion;
Series IV: Your Vote, Your Voice contains lesbians discussing their thoughts regarding abortion; Roe vs. Wade; and the Supreme
Court of the United States (SCOTUS); and Series V: Documents contains one digitzied copy of an article in "Pride and a Paycheck"
regarding the B-E Collection.
The B-E collection was started by Dianne Barrett, R.N. and floral designer; and her spouse, Margaret Elfering, an orthopedic
surgeon. Both retired, Barrett and Elfering decided to start the collection as a way to record the stories and legacies of
lesbians and their careers. The collection name is shorthand for their last names (Barrett-Elfering) but is also derived from
the verb "be" as defined as "to exist" or "to occur or take place" as a "means of bearing witness to the stories of lesbians
of different generations, from different walks of life". The mission of this collection as stated by the creators is "to dignify
the accomplishments, pride, and effort lesbians put forth in their careers on their journey in their life. Many of us had
the "don't talk" experience...now we are talking".
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was donated by Margaret Elfering and Dianne Barrett on behalf of all interviewees; 2021.
Digital files were processed by Karen Clemons, 2021, 2022; and Jesus Padilla, 2022.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Oral history
Interviews
Lesbians
Lesbian community
Family life
Women -- Employment
Marriage and family life
Los Angeles (Calif.)
Gender identity