Activism
Activism takes all shapes and forms, and activism in Southern Oregon is certainly no exception. Equity is not easily attained, and it still remains to be fully attainable, but featured below are three short biographical sketches about activists who have worked in Southern Oregon to reach that standard.
This is an image of Mary O'Kief during her SODA Stories of Southern Oregon interview.
Mary O’Kief played an important part in many positions that helped women gain equity in Southern Oregon. One of her most prominent roles was as the Executive Director of Southern Oregon Women’s Access to Credit, where she worked to help local entrepreneurial women establish businesses through training, mentorships, and lending programs. She was also the Canvas Director for Oregon Fair Share, which bridged economic disparities in Oregon, and she fundraised for the Dunn House.
Watch an interview conducted by Stories of Southern Oregon featuring Mary O'Kief here.
This is an image of Debra Gordon Zaslow during her SODA Stories of Southern Oregon interview.
Debra Gordon Zaslow was an early member of the Rogue Valley Women’s Movement who worked at the Ashland Women’s Health Clinic. In partnership with Amy Horowitz, she educated women on their bodies, birth control, and bodily autonomy. She also wrote grant proposals and press releases for the clinic. Now, Zaslow rewrites traditional stories to center women as the main characters.
Watch an interview conducted by Stories of Southern Oregon featuring Debra Gordon Zaslow here.
This is an image of Sharon Johnson during her SODA Stories of Southern Oregon interview.
Sharon Johnson worked for the OSU Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center’s Healthy Aging Initiative to provide local seniors with comprehensive health services. Over the past several decades, she’s assisted with a food preservation program, local nutrition education, and Maximizing Brief Encounters. Johnson also spent many years writing a weekly column for the Mail Tribune about healthy aging.
Watch an interview conducted by Stories of Southern Oregon featuring Sharon Johnson here.