Patricia Howell oral history interview, 2017-04-23

Partial Transcript: LIZA STRUB: Okay. Hi. I'm Liza Strub and I'm interviewing Patricia -- what's your last name?

Segment Synopsis: Patricia Howell describes her family as apolitical. She talks about how she developed a political consciousness and describes the activism in which she has participated over the years. She discusses her work as a medical herbalist.

Subjects: Evergreen State College; Herbalists; Hippies; Protest movements

Partial Transcript: LIZA STRUB: Where did you -- where did you do the march on January 21st?

Segment Synopsis: Howell describes feeling "horrified" by the results of the 2016 presidential election, and talks about how and why she decided to march in Atlanta.

Subjects: Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women (2017); Reproductive rights; Trump, Donald, 1946-

Partial Transcript: LIZA STRUB: And what was the -- sort of the mood of the group?

Segment Synopsis: Howell describes the mood of the march crowd as friendly and positive. She talks about the weather on the day of the march.

Keywords: Positivity

Subjects: Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women (2017); Weather

Partial Transcript: LIZA STRUB: How long did it last? Or how long were you there for?

Segment Synopsis: Howell talks about not being able to see the march speakers. She and Strub describe seeing marchers help one another.

Keywords: Diversity; March speakers

Subjects: Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women (2017)

Partial Transcript: LIZA STRUB: Before the march, what were you expecting or hoping to get out of the experience?

Segment Synopsis: Strub and Howell talk about the event being a march rather than a protest. Howell describes her family's reaction to her marching, which ranged from indifferent to antagonistic.

Keywords: Pussy hats

Subjects: Families; Protest movements

Partial Transcript: LIZA STRUB: What was the group that you traveled and marched with?

Segment Synopsis: Howell talks about the friends she marched with and describes signs she appreciated at the march.

Keywords: Protest signs

Subjects: Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women (2017)

Partial Transcript: LIZA STRUB: What was the anticipation from that group?

Segment Synopsis: Howell talks about getting ready for the march the morning before it started.

Subjects: Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women (2017)

Partial Transcript: LIZA STRUB: How was -- what was law enforcement like?

Segment Synopsis: Howell talks about the low-key police presence at the march. She describes the media coverage of the marches as good.

Keywords: Local marches; News media; Police presence

Subjects: Law enforcement; Press

Partial Transcript: LIZA STRUB: And -- how did you and your group manage to stay together?

Segment Synopsis: Howell talks about how she felt at the march, how she has felt since the march, and what she is doing to stay politically active.

Subjects: League of Women Voters (U.S.); Political participation

Partial Transcript: LIZA STRUB: What do you hope will happen?

Segment Synopsis: Howell expresses her hope that the current political situation will inspire more people to be more politically active. She expresses the fear that the United States in its current form might cease to exist.

Subjects: Federal government; Political participation

Partial Transcript: LIZA STRUB: And do you have any strategies to suggest for helping people to cope with this fear?

Segment Synopsis: Howell talks about staying active and limiting media exposure as strategies for not getting overwhelmed.

Subjects: Political participation; Press

Partial Transcript: LIZA STRUB: Anything else you want to talk about that I didn't talk about or ask?

Segment Synopsis: Howell expresses her view that actions like the march are important, and she and Strub wrap up the interview.

Subjects: Political participation