Guide to the Jackie Winnow Papers, 1947-1994 [bulk dates 1980-1991]

Processed by Paula Jabloner; machine-readable finding aid created by Gabriela A. Montoya
GLBT Historical Society
989 Market St.
San Francisco, California 94103
Phone: (415) 777-5455, #2
Email: reference@glbthistory.org
URL: glbthistory.org
© 1998
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society. All rights reserved.

Guide to the Jackie Winnow Papers, 1947-1994 [bulk dates 1980-1991]

Accession number: 1994-19

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society



San Francisco, California

Contact Information:

  • GLBT Historical Society
  • P.O. Box 424280
  • San Francisco, California 94142
  • Phone: (415) 777-5455, #2
  • Email: glhsnc@aol.com
  • URL: http://www.glhs.org/collectn/glhsmss.htm
Processed by:
Paula Jabloner
Date Completed:
January 1996
Encoded by:
Gabriela A. Montoya
© 1998 The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Jackie Winnow Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1947-1994 [bulk dates 1980-1991]
Accession number: 1994-19
Creator: Winnow, Jackie, 1947-1991
Extent: 1.65 linear feet
Repository: The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society.
San Francisco, California.
Shelf location: Housed at the GLBTHS Archives.
Language: English.

Administrative Information

Acquisition

The Jackie Winnow Papers (#1994-19) were donated to GLHS by Teya Schaffer (Jackie's spouse) in 1994. Additional audiocassette tapes of an interview with Jackie Winnow by Sandy Polishuk added in May 2023.

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright to unpublished manuscript materials has been transferred to the Gay and Lesbian Historical Society of Northern California.

Audio-Visual Materials

There are 5 audio cassettes and photographs in the Papers.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Jackie Winnow Papers, 1994-19, The GLBT Historical Society.

Biography

Jackie Winnow was born Jacqueline Weinstein on April 28, 1947 in New York City. She attended Hunter College becoming involved in the very early Women's Liberation Movement in New York City. She moved to Florida in 1973 or 1974, where she worked on rape crisis and lesbian issues. In 1975 she took up residence in the Bay Area, where she spent the rest of her life.
She attended San Francisco State University graduating summa cum laude in women's studies in 1980. She became the Lesbian, Gay Liaison with the San Francisco Human Rights Commission. Her original position was half-time, under her direction the staff was increased to three full-time professionals along with many interns and volunteers. Jackie became the first official coordinator in February of 1988. The Commission is responsible for investigating complaints of sexual orientation and AIDS/HIV discrimination, handling issues of concern to the Lesbian, Gay and HIV community, and staffing the Lesbian, Gay Advisory Committee. She used much of her organizing abilities in fighting for domestic partnership rights. Unfortunately, this fight is not well represented in her personal papers. Her efforts at organizing the Jewish Feminist Conference of 1982 are reflected in her papers. Jackie was also very concerned with issues involving lesbian health concerns.
Jackie had to leave the Commission in 1990 due to metastatic breast cancer. She had been diagnosed with cancer in May of 1985. She had put her community organizing experience to work immediately upon realizing there was no central place to get impartial information and referral, no place to integrate the cancer experience, nor gain the support of other women with cancer by founding the Women's Cancer Resource Center in 1986, the first such Center in the country. The goal of the center is to empower women with cancer to be informed consumers and decision makers, gain support, educate the community, and advocate for change. The center opened its doors in 1989. Jackie continued to speak and write as a cancer activist until her death on September 7, 1991. Jackie's family was very important to her especially Teya Schaffer, her spouse.

Scope and Content

The Jackie Winnow Papers, 1.65 linear feet, covers the years 1947 through 1994 with the bulk of materials covering 1980 to 1991. The majority of the materials document Jackie's many activities while in the San Francisco Bay Area. The materials are arranged in twelve series; Biographical Information, Correspondence, Writings, Miscellaneous Files Concerning Cancer, Miscellaneous, Individuals, Political Activity, Subject Files, Women's Cancer Resource Center, Awards, Ephemera, and Audio-Visual.
The Biographical Information series is arranged chronologically. Among the noteworthy files is a transcript of an extensive taped interview with Sandy Polishuk taken in February 1990 concerning Jackie's fight with cancer and her organizing around access to cancer information. The file of Teya Schaffer's notes personalizes Jackie beyond what is apparent from the written materials of the collection. For example, Teya elaborates on the meaning of words and sayings Jackie commonly used. The researcher will also find occasional photocopies of post-it notes in the collection that were written by Teya describing those particular items.
The Correspondence is arranged mostly chronologically, a considerable amount of correspondence concerning one subject has been grouped in a separate folder. The correspondence in the general folders is mostly concerns routine matters including publishing, some family correspondence, and a few more in-depth letters from friends. In general Jackie was not a letter writer and this is reflected in the correspondence. Following the correspondence are files of sympathy and birthday cards. Only a selected few of these were kept, those having more extensive messages.
The Writings series is separated into three subseries. The first subseries includes all of Jackie's writings on Cancer and Lesbian Health. These speeches, articles, and a letter are arranged alphabetically by title. In 1989 Jackie gave the keynote address at the Lesbian Care Givers and AIDS Epidemic Conference, Lesbians Evolving Health Care. This speech was revised over time and became the basis for many of her other speeches and articles (for Out/Look and Sinister Wisdom to name a few) and a chapter of a Women and Cancer Anthology. These writings discuss the epidemic of breast cancer in women and the need for accessible information and organizing around it the issue. In addition these writings express frustration at women's health needs not being addressed. Jackie pointed out that a lot of lesbian energy has gone to AIDS work and advocacy, it is time for lesbians to start looking at their own needs especially in terms of women's health issues.
The Course work subseries is arranged alphabetically by title of paper or course title whichever was available. Most of the work is from Jackie's time at San Francisco State University, 1978 to 1980. A few pieces have no dates and there is one from 1974. The overwhelming majority of the Course work focuses on Women's Studies topics and/or Lesbianism. Also included are an autobiography and a biography of Jackie's mother (Lillian Weinstein).
The Miscellaneous Writings subseries contains a variety of writing forms. Jackie wrote in a journal very sporadically, also included are miscellaneous jottings she wrote over time, and one folder of poetry.
The Miscellaneous Files Concerning Cancer series contains various materials documenting Jackie's life with cancer. These files include information on her care giver group, materials on support groups she was a member of and memorials of women who died during Jackie's lifetime. Also included in this series are a few notes on her medical treatment and articles on women and cancer.
The Miscellaneous Series documents various aspects of Jackie's life and activities that do not fit elsewhere. Of interest is a syllabi for a Lesbian Studies Course she created in hopes of teaching at San Francisco State in 1980, and two outlines for oral history projects on Jewish Women and Lesbian Mothers in the 1970s.
The Individuals series, arranged alphabetically by name, documents Jackie's interactions with both family members and others. The files from family members (Mallory Brown, Teya and Asher Schaffer) contain writings, poetry and artwork to Jackie. The other files are writings and correspondence from individuals that she knew, they mostly deal with cancer and death.
The Political Activity Series is arranged alphabetically by folder title. For information on the Women's Cancer Resource Center see the series below. The files in this series mostly document the Jewish Feminist Conference held in the 1982 in San Francisco. Jackie played a very active role in the last few weeks of conference organization.
The Subject Files Series is composed of files on various topics kept by Jackie. The files retained for this series were ones with more unique and hard to find items. Files consisting of only New York Times clippings and other major papers have been removed form the Jackie Winnow Papers. The files contain leaflets, newspaper clippings, papers, and writings. See the folder listing for a list of the subjects covered.
The Women's Cancer Resource Center (WCRC) Series documents the organization and practices of the WCRC during 1989 and 1990. These files are a good source of information on the programs the WCRC organized, their fundraising efforts, and general administrative matters. The files are arranged alphabetically by title.
The Awards Series documents the recognition Jackie received in her lifetime for her activist work. The Ephemera Series contains miscellaneous items such as her passports and the artwork that adorned her office walls.
The Audio-Visual series includes two tapes of speakers at Jackie's memorial in 1991. There is also included extensive photographs of Jackie's family especially Teya and Asher. Also included are snapshots at awards dinners, Gay Pride Day Parades, and Jackie's cats -Alice B. Toklas and Gertrude Stein. There are 3 audiocassette tapes of a 1990 interview with Jackie Winnow by Sandy Polishuk.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Lesbians
Health

Materials Removed from the Collection

  • 1 folder of printed material has been transferred to the
    Title: 1983 Jewish Feminist Conference Records
    Identifier/Call Number: #1991-28.
  • 1 folder of miscellaneous ephemera.
See the accession files for a complete list of materials returned to Teya Schaffer.

Related Collections

Title: 1983 Jewish Feminist Conference Records
Identifier/Call Number: #1991-28
Title: Lesbian/Gay Activities Office of SF Human Rights Commission Records
Identifier/Call Number: #1990-03
Title: Lesbian/Gay Advisory Committee to the San Francisco Human Rights Commission Records
Identifier/Call Number: #1994-33
Title: Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin Papers
Identifier/Call Number: #1993-13

 

Biographical Information

Box Box 1

Miscellaneous, various years

 

Name Change, 1977

 

Obituaries and Memorial, 1991

 

Polishuk, Sandy - Interview with Jackie, 1990-1991

 

Resumes, Letter of Recommendation, various years

 

Schaffter, Teya - notes concerning Jackie, 1994

 

Will and Death Instructions, 1990

 

Correspondence

Box Box 1

[to Jackie], 1964

 

1972-1973

 

1974

 

1977-1986

 

Re: Lillian Weinstein's (mother) 65th Birthday, 1982

 

Re: While in Germany for Medical Treatment, 1988

 

1988-1989

 

Re: Concerning Breast Cancer to Medical Professionals, 1988, 1990, 1991

 

Re: In Response to Out/Look Article, 1989, 1991

 

1990-1991

 

Re: Human Rights Commission, 1985, 1988-1990

 

Re: To Jackie's Family concerning her Health from Teya Schaffer, 1991

 

No date

 

Graduation Cards, 1980

 

Cards of Support

 

1985

 

1988

 

1988

 

Birthday Wishes, 1988-1991

 

Writings - Cancer and Lesbian Health

Box Box 1

Benefit for the WCRC and Charlotte Maxwell Clinic - Speech, 1990

 

Berkeley School of Public Health - Breast Cancer Lecture, 1989?

 

"Cancer Personality" - Letter to the Editor, 1989

 

Miscellaneous, 1987 and n.d.

 

Lesbian Health Concerns, 1987

 

Lesbian Health Forum: Chronic Illness and Disability, 1987

 

Lesbians and AIDS Articles (various), 1989-1990

 

Lesbians Evolving Health care - Speech, 1989

 

Lesbians Evolving Health care: Cancer and AIDS, n.d.

 

Lesbians Evolving Heath care: Our Lives Depend on it - Article, 1989

 

Lesbians in the AIDS Crisis and the Cancer Epidemic, n.d.

 

Living with Cancer in the Lesbian Community, 1989 Oncology Nurses Society - Speech, 1989

 

The Politics of Cancer (National Lesbian Conference), 1991

 

The Politics of Breast Cancer in Women's Lives (Women and the Law Conference), 1989

 

The Politics of Cancer: The Individualizing of a Disease of Epidemic Proportions - Article, 1989

 

The Politics of Cancer - Article, 1993

 

Women and Cancer Anthology, 1990

 

Women and Medicine Conference - Speech, 1989

 

Women's Health Care in the Age of AIDS - Speech, 1989

 

Writings - Course work

Box Box 1

Autobiography, 1979-1980

 

Can One Have a Feminist Experience: in a Patriarchal Institution?, 1980

 

Fantasy as Action - Miscellaneous Course work, 1978

 

The Holocaust We Were Never Told About: The Persecution of Gay People in Nazi Germany, 1979

 

In Each of Us, the Spirit of Lilith Still Lives: Maimie Pinze, Gertrude Stein, Malvena Taiz, 1979

 

It Can Be Done, 1980

 

A Lesbian Critique of the Nuclear Family, 1978

 

Lesbian Mothers: Toward a Non-Institutionalized Mothering, 1978

 

Matriarchal and Patriarchal Dominated Life: Their Symbolism, Art, Science and Values of Life, 1979

 

Oral History - Maria Kelman Solis, 1979

 

The Persecution of Dutch Jews During the Holocaust, 1979

 

The Political Implications of Lesbianism, 1978

 

The Ramifications of the Equal Rights Amendment, 1974

 

Violence Against Lesbians, n.d.

 

Weinstein, Lillian (Green) - Mother's Biography, n.d.

 

Women and Violence, Miscellaneous Course work, 1978

 

Women's Writing Class, 1990

 

Writings - Miscellaneous

Box Box 1

Journal, 1973

 

Journal, 1974?

 

Journal entries, 1980-1981, 1988

 

Medical History, Feb 1991

 

Miscellaneous Jottings, n.d.

 

Miscellaneous Personal Notes, Journal Entries and Writings, n.d.

 

Poetry, 1974, n.d.

 

Rape: The Epitomy [sic] of Woman-Hatred, 1975 "Words," n.d.

 

 

Cancer, Miscellaneous Files Concerning

Box Box 1

Breast Cancer Memorials

 

Miscellaneous, 1990-1991

 

Borneo, Carol (including correspondence), 1989-1991

 

Diary of Daily Activities, n.d.

 

Events in Support of Jackie, 1991

 

Jackie's Care Giver Group, correspondence and info. sheets, 1988-1991

 

Jackie's Care Giver Group, schedules and sign-up forms, 1988-1991

 

Living with Cancer, Videotape Guide, n.d.

 

Notes re: Medical Treatment, 1990

 

Women and Cancer Articles, 1988, 1990-1991

 

Women's Cancer Support Groups, 1986-1990

 

Miscellaneous

Box Box 1

Lesbian Studies Course and Syllabi, 1980

 

Merritt Hospital Grievance, 1977

 

Muni Accident, 1986

 

Oral History Projects, Jewish Women and Lesbian Mothers, 1970s

 

Individuals

Box Box 1

Brady, Judy, 1988

 

Brown, Mallory (Jackie's Niece), 1991

 

Poetry to Jackie, n.d.

 

Manthorne, Jackie

 

Pagano, Darlene? - writings of, n.d.

 

Rosenblum, Barbara, Apr 1989

 

Schaffer, Asher, 1991

 

Schaffer, Teya, 1983, n.d.

 

Political Activity

Box Box 1

Anti-Semitism in the Women's Movement Group, 1981-1982

 

Jewish Feminist Conference, 1982

 

 

Attendees Packet

 

Correspondence Proceeding Conference

 

Notes from Jackie

 

Planning and Workshops

 

Post-Conference Planning

 

Publicity

 

Speeches

 

People Against Cancer, 1985-1986

 

Women's Health Committee, 1987-1989

 

Subject Files

Box Box 2

Death and Dying, n.d.

 

Holocaust and Nazi Germany, 1970s

 

Lesbian Health Care, various dates

 

Passover Hagadahs, 1980, n.d.

 

Positive Thinking, 1988-1989

 

Severe Chronic Illness (Barshay, Jessica), 1990

 

Women's Cancer Resource Center Files

Box Box 2

Administrative, 1989-1991

 

By-Laws, n.d.

 

Charlotte Maxwell Complimentary Clinic, 1989-1990

 

Coupon Book, 1990

 

Educational Forums, 1991

 

Finances, 1989-1990

 

Flyers, various years

 

Fundraising Event, 1989

 

Fundraising Event, 1990

 

Fundraising Meeting, 1989

 

Minutes, 1989, n.d.

 

Principles of Unity, n.d.

 

Program Committee, 1989-1990

 

Steering Committee, 1989-1990

 

Wry Crips Disabled Women's Theater - By-laws, Procedures, and Guidelines, 1989

 

Awards

Box Box 2

Cable Car, 1991

 

Human Rights Commission, 1990

 

National Organization of Women, 1988

 

School, 1973-1975

 

Ephemera

Box Box 2

Artwork

 

Materials from Jackie's Wall

 

Miscellaneous

 

Audio-Visual

 

3 Cassette tapes of a 1990 interview of Jackie Winnow with Sandy Polishuk and 2 Cassette Tapes of Jackie's Memorial Service, 1990-1991

Physical Location: A-V Room
 

Photographs

Physical Location: Photo Room