Laura Vaughn oral history interview, 2017-07-20

Partial Transcript: KAREN STEPHENS: This is Karen Stephens, I'm Karen Stephens. I am conducting an oral history interview with Laura Vaughn.

Segment Synopsis: Laura Vaughn discusses her background, as well as her past political leanings and political participation.

Keywords: Activism; Family dynamics; LGBTQ community; Political beliefs

Subjects: Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women (2017); Political and social views; Political participation--Women

Partial Transcript: KAREN STEPHENS: Let's talk about why you decided to march, on January 21st. When did the idea come to you, and at what point did you say, 'I'm marching'?

Segment Synopsis: Vaughn talks about how she learned of the march, why she participated, and why she chose to march in Atlanta.

Keywords: Expectations; Political beliefs

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

Partial Transcript: LAURA VAUGHN: So getting to the march-- your next question--we started out a little late.

Segment Synopsis: Vaughn describes how she traveled to the march, and her experience with the crowd.

Keywords: March speakers; Porta-potties; Pussy hats

Subjects: Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women (2017); Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority; Political participation--Women

Partial Transcript: KAREN STEPHENS: What was your impression of police presence?

Segment Synopsis: Vaughn describes her impression of, and the crowd's interaction with, law enforcement. She also briefly describes the opposition she saw.

Keywords: Counter-protesters; Police presence

Subjects: Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women (2017); Political participation--Women

Partial Transcript: KAREN STEPHENS: Can you describe the atmosphere that was going on?

Segment Synopsis: Vaughn describes the unified feeling of the crowd, and offers specific examples of protest signs she saw.

Keywords: Chants; Protest signs; Solidarity

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

Partial Transcript: KAREN STEPHENS: Tell me about-- did you watch any of the media-- Well you didn't watch before.

Segment Synopsis: Vaughn describes how most of the media coverage of the march that she saw was largely positive.

Keywords: News media

Subjects: Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women (2017); Television broadcasting of news

Partial Transcript: KAREN STEPHENS: Think of -- were there any moments that really stood out?

Segment Synopsis: Vaughn describes moments at the march that are particularly memorable to her, including the solidarity of the crowd, and the Centennial Park Ferris wheel.

Keywords: Positivity; Solidarity

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

Partial Transcript: KAREN STEPHENS: How have you been feeling since the march?

Segment Synopsis: Vaughn describes her initial excitement after the march, and how even after several months it has changed her.

Keywords: Positivity

Subjects: Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women (2017); Political participation--Women

Partial Transcript: KAREN STEPHENS: So -- what do you think should -- what do you think will happen now?

Segment Synopsis: Vaughn expresses a hope that things will change, and that she will possibly become politically active again.

Keywords: Political beliefs

Subjects: Political and social views; Political participation--Women

Partial Transcript: KAREN STEPHENS: Do you have any strategies that you could suggest for people to cope with what's been happening?

Segment Synopsis: Vaughn advises people who are stressed from the current political climate to refrain from watching the news.

Keywords: Advice

Subjects: Political and social views; Television broadcasting of news

Partial Transcript: KAREN STEPHENS: What advice would you give to anybody who's considering about going to a march in the future?

Segment Synopsis: Vaughan describes how participating in the women's march is one of the greatest things she's ever done, and encourages anyone who wishes to participate in future marches to do so.

Keywords: Advice

Subjects: Political participation

Partial Transcript: KAREN STEPHENS: So as we're starting to get to the end of the interview, I'd like to give you an opportunity to talk about anything that you want.

Segment Synopsis: Vaughn describes how, after the march, she has encountered people who were heartened to learn that she had participated. She also says that she will likely participate in future marches.

Keywords: Allies; Solidarity; Tax March

Subjects: Political participation; Political participation--Women