Mendy Knott: The Writer’s Life on the Mountain
Mendy Knott, North Carolina poet, reflecting her experiences as a former police officer, military veteran, and Southern preacher’s kid. She is an award-winning screenplay writer, too.
Category: Publishing, Publications, and Booksellers
Southern lesbian-feminist activists in publishing, publications, and booksellers
Shewolf: Dedicated to Lesbian Lands
Shewolf formed lesbian community and worked for equal pay for women at University of Louisiana Lafayette, held feminist potlucks, and she was ahead of her time.
Theresa Barry and Labrys Books: Virginia’s First Feminist Bookstore
Terri Barry (left) and Joan Mayfield at the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, 1979.
Theresa “Terri” Barry came out in 1976 when she was in her early twenties in college, where she met her then-partner Joan Mayfield, starting a feminist bookstore with her. From 1977 to about 1980, she and Joan ran Labrys Books in the living room of their Richmond, Virginia, home. They chose the name Labrys, after the double headed ritual axe found in ancient Minoan depictions of the Mother Goddess. The bookstore was run with the support of the Richmond Lesbian Feminists, an organization that still exists today.
My Mother Was Many Things
June Arnold in 1977. Photo by Barbara Adams.
Roberta Arnold writes about her mother, June Arnold, novelist and founder of Daughters, Inc. publishing company. Julia Penelope once said that June filled out a form stating her religion as “Women,” and this was true. She was fierce in her devotion to the Women’s Movement.