Richmond Lesbian Feminists - Southern Lesbian Feminist Activist Herstory Project

Theresa Barry and Labrys Books: Virginia’s First Feminist Bookstore

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 and still in college. That same year, she met her then-partner Joan Mayfield, and they decided to start a feminist bookstore. 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.

Posted on November 4, 2024 Posted in Publishing, Publications, and Booksellers, Uncategorized Tagged with Beth Marschak, Colevia Carter, dance, Joan Mayfield, Labrys Books, Ladyslipper, Lammas Books, Laurie Fuchs, Mary Farmer, Richmond, Richmond Lesbian Feminists, Terri Barry, The New York Times, Theresa Barry, USA Today, Virginia, Washington D.C., Women’s Political Caucus, WomensBooks

Mary Gay Hutcherson: Cheerleader, Child Welfare Officer, Social Director for Richmond Lesbian Feminists

Mary Gay Hutcherson: Cheerleader, Child Welfare Officer, Social Director for Richmond Lesbian Feminists

At one point, I thought I’d realized my dream of meeting every lesbian in Virginia.

Posted on September 4, 2023 Posted in Lesbian Land Groups, Social and Political Groups Tagged with Babe’s, CampOut, Carefree, Equal Rights Amendment, ERA, First Friday Potluck, Jacqui Singleton, Metropolitan Community Church (MCC), National Organization for Women, NOW, Olivia, Richmond, Richmond Lesbian Feminist hotline, Richmond Lesbian Feminists, RLF Flyer, Run for Equality, Sonia Johnson, Virginia Women’s Music Festival, Women’s Political Caucus, WomensBooks

Terrie L. Pendleton: Cofounder of Lesbian Women of Color (LWOC)

Terrie L. Pendleton: Cofounder of Lesbian Women of Color (LWOC)

Terrie Pendleton at the 2018 readings from Sinister Wisdom 109, Hot Spots. Courtesy of Beth Marschak.

Terrie Pendleton cofounded Lesbian Women of Color in Richmond, VA, in 1991 to provide “a sense of belonging, a safe place,” an alternative to isolation.

Posted on April 9, 2022 Posted in Social and Political Groups Tagged with Beth Marschack, busing, Dr. Judith Bradford, Equality Virginia, feminism, Gatekeepers, LWOC, military, Richmond Lesbian Feminists, Richmond Organization for Sexual Minority Youths, Richmond VA, school integration, sexual orientation, social work, Terrie Pendleton, University of Virginia, Urvashi Vaid

Barbara “Bobbie” Reaux (Richmond Lesbian Feminists – RLF)

Barbara “Bobbie” Reaux (Richmond Lesbian Feminists – RLF)

Barbara “Bobbie” Reaux gives us a fascinating glimpse of her courage and life struggles. She begins her story with her search for her natal mother.

Posted on March 16, 2022 Posted in Culture and the Arts, Social and Political Groups, Social Justice, Women’s Health, and Social Services Tagged with “Two Street” Festival, 2nd St. Festival, adoptive mother, Alexander’s, Babe’s, Barbara Reaux, Beth Marschak, Black community, Black schools, Bobbie Reaux, Bon-Air, butch women, Esau, Fearless Fly, femme women, Flournoy, Friends Association for Children, gay and lesbian marches, Hippodrome Theater, Jackson Ward, John Marshall, Maggie L. Walker High School, Maresia Harris, MCC (Metropolitan Community Church), Methodist, Raoul’s, Richmond Lesbian Feminists, Richmond Room, Richmond Women of Color, RLF, SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders), scandals, segregated, Tarhammer’s department store, Terri Pendleton, Tidewater

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