This oral history interview with Bobbie Doré Foster was conducted by Jan Dilg in the office of The Skanner Newsgroup from August 29 to September 26, 2017. Bobbie Doré Foster was nominated by Oregonians to be interviewed as part of a program by the Oregon Historical Society Research Library to enhance and expand the range of voices in the library's collections. Interviewees are selected from the pool of nominees by a staff committee appointed by the historical society's executive director. The interview was conducted in three sessions.

In the first interview session, conducted on August 29, 2017, Foster discusses her early life in Abbeville, Louisiana. She talks about the importance of education, and briefly describes her education in Louisiana. She then talks about moving to Astoria, Oregon, in 1965, and attending Clatsop Community College. She discusses spending some years in Seattle, Washington; settling in Portland, Oregon; and studying journalism at Portland State University. She speaks about her involvement in the founding of The Skanner Newsgroup with her husband, Bernie Foster, in 1975; describes the process of printing a newspaper; and talks about the mission of the paper. She talks about the paper's readership, gentrification in the neighborhood of the Skanner building, and expanding the paper to Seattle. She talks about issues affecting the black community; talks about her experience as a woman in the media, and about as other women journalists; and discusses other black newspapers around the United States.

In the second interview session, conducted on September 12, 2017, Foster discusses the Skanner Foundation, including the scholarship and awards program, and fundraising events. She talks about her and Bernie Foster's involvement in the renaming of Union Avenue to Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. She also talks about a fire at a building owned by The Skanner that occurred during that time. She then discusses her involvement with several community organizations, including the Rotary Club, De La Salle North Catholic High School, and the NAACP. She also talks about her involvement with the Saint Andrew Catholic Church.

In the third and final interview session, conducted on September 26, 2017, Foster discusses awards she received, and also revisits the topic of studying journalism at Portland State University. She then talks about the many awards The Skanner has received. She also discusses the donation of The Skanner photograph archive to the Oregon Historical Society. She talks about the challenges of running a newspaper, where The Skanner has been most successful, and how the paper has changed over the decades. She closes the interview by discussing the importance of role models for black children.

This oral history interview with Prashant Kakad was conducted by Sankar Raman on July 20, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Kakad discusses his early life in India, including his father's career in the Air Force and later as a police officer in Bombay. He describes life in Bombay as a teenager, the pressure to succeed at education in the sciences, and his passion for music and dance. He talks about competing in singing competitions in high school, attending Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai, and organizing cultural events at his college. He describes applying to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

Kakad discusses his experience studying polymer science and working as a research assistant at Cornell University. He talks about adjusting to life in the United States, realizing that he didn't want to pursue a career in chemical engineering, and rediscovering his passion for dance and music. He discusses dealing with body image issues and depression. He then talks about moving to Hillsboro, Oregon, and working for Intel; learning and performing classical Indian singing; and teaching his own dance choreography based on Bollywood music. He also gives a brief history of Bollywood music. He describes quitting his job at Intel in 2009 and beginning his career as a DJ. He then talks about the process of getting his green card. He closes the interview by discussing people who helped him succeed.

This oral history interview with Nawid G. Khan was conducted by Sankar Raman on July 11, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Khan discusses the process of immigrating to the United States from Afghanistan in 2016. He talks about his family and early life in Afghanistan, including the death of four of his brothers from cancer, growing up in an area surrounded by the Taliban, and the experience of growing up in a war zone. He speaks about his education in Afghanistan and experiencing bullying. Khan also spends some time showing photographs to Raman. He talks about gender roles in Afghanistan. He describes witnessing two Taliban bombings, one at his school in 2012, and another that killed a friend in front of him in 2014. He talks about immigrating to the United States to continue his education. He discusses his experiences attending Benson High School in Portland, Oregon, including learning English as a second language, and his plans for the future. Khan closes the interview by talking about politics and human rights in Afghanistan, his plans for college, meeting the Afghan ambassador to the United States, and his thoughts on the political situation in the United States in 2017.

This oral history interview with Dominic Vu Nguyen was conducted by Rachel Ramirez on July 9, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Nguyen discusses fleeing Vietnam near the end of the Vietnam War, relocating to the Philippines, and finally settling in upstate New York. He talks about his early life in New York, including adjusting to life in the United States and his education. He also talks about overcoming stereotypes. Nguyen discusses getting into fitness after the birth of his son in 2011, and about competing to appear on the television show American Ninja Warrior in 2017. He closes the interview by describing his 1990 reunion with his father, who had been unable to leave Vietnam with the family, as well as his father's death in 2016.

This oral history interview with Cindy Muñoz was conducted by Ricardo Nagaoka and Sankar Raman on June 3, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Muñoz discusses her early life in Oregon. She talks about dealing with racial discrimination, and describes several incidences of racism at her high school. She closes the interview by sharing her thoughts about "The American Dream."

This oral history interview with Naw Bi Tha Aye La was conducted by Sankar Raman on May 13, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Naw Bi Tha Aye La discusses her family background and the circumstances in Myanmar (also known as Burma) that led to her family to seek refuge in the Mae Ra Moe refugee camp on the Thai-Myanmar border. She describes living conditions in the refugee camp, including the polluted water they used, raising their own food, and her education. She also talks about her Karen ethnic identity. She talks about the process of resettling in the United States, including her last day in the camp and settling in Portland, Oregon. She discusses her education in Portland, including learning English as a second language. She talks about her interest in theater, her grades, and her friends. She also talks further about her cultural and ethnic identity. She closes the interview by discussing her plans for the future.

This oral history interview with Jean Paul Mugisha was conducted in two sessions by Sankar Raman on April 30, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In the first session, Mugisha discusses his early life in a refugee camp in Rwanda after his family fled from their home in the Democratic Republic of the Congo when he was 3. He describes living conditions in the camp, including his education. He then talks about attending Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, where he majored in electrical engineering for a year, before his family was resettled in the United States. He describes his last day in the camps, the journey to the U.S., and his first days in Portland, Oregon. He talks about navigating the American education system to continue his studies in electrical engineering at the University of Portland, and his plans for the future.

In the second session, Mugisha discusses the Rwandan genocide, the conflict that led his family to flee Congo in 1997. He talks again about his education in the refugee camp and being resettled in the United States. He particularly talks about the Portland-based NGO, These Numbers Have Faces, that helped him go to college in Rwanda. He describes his college experience at the University of Portland; reflects on the factors that led to his current success; and discusses his cultural and ethnic identity. He closes the interview by talking about his family, and his activities mentoring immigrant students.

This oral history interview with Franklin Tokam-Powell was conducted by Rachel Ramirez on April 30, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Tokam-Powell discusses his early life in Cameroon, including his family and education. He talks about feeling like he was different and being bullied; his close relationship with one of his older sisters; and his experience as a Jehovah's Witness. He discusses how he realized as a teenager that he was gay and that he would have to leave Cameroon, where homosexuality was criminalized. He talks about moving to Ukraine to attend the Ternopil Ivan Puluj National Technical University, including the culture shock he experienced, learning Ukrainian and Russian, and joining a band as a vocalist. He then talks about touring with his band in China in 2009; moving to China after earning his bachelor's degree in 2012; and moving to South Korea to study public policy at the KDI School of Public Policy and Management in Sejong City. He also talks about passing as straight, being outed to his family, and their subsequent rejection. He discusses becoming ill while in China, and his determination to live life as himself after he recovered. He talks about his experience in South Korea, including the racism he experienced, and how he met his future husband, Tristan Powell. He talks about the process of applying for a fiancé visa to the United States, his marriage to Powell, and his life and career in Oregon. He closes the interview by discussing his current relationship with his family; describing the political situation and the roots of homophobia in Cameroon; and his thoughts on American politics at the time of the interview in 2017.

This oral history interview with Fowzia Ibrahim was conducted by Don Schwartz on April 4, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Ibrahim discusses her early life in Boise, Idaho, as a Somalian refugee, including the different ways that she and her parents adjusted to American life. She describes her desire to help people and her plans for her future career. She also talks about being bullied in elementary school. She talks about coming to Portland, Oregon, in 2014 and how her experience there differed from her experience in Idaho. She discusses being the oldest of twelve children, her ethnic and cultural identity, and making friends in high school in Portland. She closes the interview by discussing her preparations for college and plans for the future.

This oral history interview with Kemle Fakhry was conducted by Don Schwartz on April 4, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Fakhry discusses coming to the United States at the beginning of her freshman year of high school and learning English as a second language. She then talks about her childhood in Dakar, Senegal, including her education and her family life. She describes growing up with her father an ocean away in the United States; immigrating to the United States at the age of 13; and acclimating to her new environment in Portland, Oregon. She talks about Senegalese culture and cuisine. She discusses the cultural differences between Senegal and the United States, particularly surrounding the concept of race. She closes the interview by discussing her plans for the future.

This oral history interview with Anisha Ginshing was conducted by Sankar Raman on April 4, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Ginshing discusses her early life in a camp for Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. She then talks about immigrating to the United States with her family at the age of 9, and settling in Idaho. She talks about her elementary school education in Idaho and about learning English as a second language; the reasons for her family's move to Portland, Oregon; and her high school education in Portland, including taking Advanced Placement classes and her extracurricular activities. She talks about her interest in Nepali culture; applying for college; and her plans to become a nurse. She closes the interview by discussing her cultural and ethnic identity; the dangerous conditions for women and girls in Nepal; and her most challenging high school classes.

This oral history interview with Rand Ibraheem was conducted by Sankar Raman on April 4, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Ibraheem discusses her early life in Baghdad, Iraq. She describes the violence of the Iraq War, including being driven from her home by a group of armed men. She talks about life as a refugee in Damascus, Syria; waiting for asylum in the United States; and the outbreak of civil war in Syria, which again drove her family from their home. She describes in detail her memories of the 2012 bombing of her neighborhood. She talks about seeking refuge in Lebanon and living in Beirut, including her education. She then discusses the process of getting approved for resettlement in the United States and coming to Portland, Oregon, in 2014. She talks about her life in Portland, including her education. She closes the interview by discussing her plans for the future, and discrimination she faces as a Muslim.

This oral history interview with Sumitra Chhetri was conducted by Sankar Raman on March 19, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Chhetri discusses her early life in a camp for Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. She describes the educational system in the camp, as well as her social life and daily activities. She talks about the process of resettling in the United States in 2008; describes her experience attending high school in Portland, Oregon; and discusses learning English as a second language. She talks about studying political science at Portland State University and her future plans, including her intention to attend law school and run for office. Sankar Raman shares advice for seeking out career mentors. Chhetri closes the interview by discussing the challenges she has faced as a first-generation immigrant.

This oral history interview with Mario Gomez-Rubio was conducted by Sankar Raman on March 18, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. Gomez-Rubio's mother, Elizabeth Rubio-Alfaro, was also present and occasionally answered questions in Spanish. An unidentified woman provides translations in Spanish and English.

In this interview, Gomez-Rubio discusses immigrating to the United States from Mexico in 2015 and settling in Hillsboro, Oregon. He also describes his early life on a ranch outside the city of Morelia in Michoacán, Mexico, including his education, his ambition to play professional soccer, and his social life. Rubio-Alfaro describes the process of immigrating to the United States, including the journey to Oregon. Gomez-Rubio talks about his school experience in Hillsboro, including learning English as a second language and his social life. He discusses his most challenging classes, his continued interest in soccer, and his plans for the future. Gomez-Rubio and Rubio-Alfaro close the interview by discussing Gomez-Rubio's interest in robotics and the physical sciences, as well as his independent personality.

This oral history interview with Yuriana Aguilar was conducted by Sankar Raman by phone call in 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Aguilar discusses her experience as an undocumented immigrant child from Mexico. She talks about pursuing higher education and a career in biology as a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient. She talks about being the first in her family to get a college education, her motivation to succeed, and her research in cardiology. She describes her experience of being the guest of U.S. Senator Kamala Harris at a speech President Donald Trump delivered to Congress in 2017. She describes how, in the speech, he demonized and misrepresented undocumented immigrants. She closes the interview by talking about living under the specter of deportation and her hopes for a path to citizenship.

Barbara Bernstein discusses how she came to Portland from the East Coast, her work for birth control, the women's music movement, and her work in radio, particularly at KBOO in Portland, Oregon.

Anne discusses what it was like for her during 1992 when Oregon voters faced the anti-gay Ballot Measure 9. She organized a protest walk from Eugene to Portland, Oregon. The walk was for ‘love and justice’ and encouraged Oregonians to vote No on Measure 9.

This oral history interview with Khalil Edwards was conducted by Natasha Lipai and Stephen Quirke at the offices of Basic Rights Oregon in Portland, Oregon, on February 27, 2013, for the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest. The interview was conducted as part of a senior capstone class on LGBTQ history at Portland State University with instructor Pat Young. A transcript of the interview is available.

In this interview, Edwards discusses his involvement with the Portland Black Chapter of PFLAG, talks about its origins, and describes the intersection of racism and homophobia that Black LGBTQ youth face. He also talks about his parents' social justice activism. He discusses his involvement with Basic Rights Oregon, including his work on the Our Families video project and as a Racial Justice Fellow. He speaks about some of the goals of Basic Rights Oregon, including marriage equality and trans-inclusive health care, and talks about issues that the organization may focus on after achieving its current goals. He also speaks about racial inequity in the U.S. justice system. He discusses his career as a high school English teacher in San Bernardino, California, and shares his reasons for returning to Portland and focusing on racial justice and LGBTQ advocacy work. He closes the interview by talking about his love for Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series.

Abbruzzese discusses how she got involved in and her work with BRO (Basic Rights Oregon).

Hogan discusses his family background and early life, his education, and his career as a lawyer and judge in Oregon. He also discusses some of the cases he worked on, including bankruptcy cases, and his work on the Wayne Morse Federal Courthouse.

This is interview of Renee LaChance was conducted by Brontё Olson and Nicole Estey for the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest as part of their senior capstone at Portland State University. LaChance worked with the queer newspaper The Cascade Voice, first selling advertising and writing and later as the editor for a period of time before founding Just Out newspaper with Jay Brown in 1983. The interview covers her involvement in the Gay Pride Festival, AIDS and ACT-UP, and Ballot Measures 9 and 13, as well as her experiences with running Just Out, her decision to sell, and her feelings about the path of the paper after its purchase by Marty Davis in 1998. It finishes with words of wisdom offered by LaChance for both the gay community and the general public on life and changing the future.

Kinnard discusses a few different subjects that include the accident that left him a paraplegic, his experience and career in cartooning and graphic design, working for Just Out, his new venture The LifeCapsule Project, and his feelings on gay marriage.

Jones discusses racism within the gay community and the fight for greater inclusiveness within LGBT organizations. He discusses his experiences as a black gay man in Portland.

This oral history interview with John E. Baker was conducted by Jeffrey Ohren and Jim Donohue on May 7, 2012, for the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest. The interview was conducted as part of a senior capstone class on LGBTQ history at Portland State University, with instructor Pat Young. A transcript of the interview is available.

In this interview, Baker discusses his history of political and gay rights activism, particularly his involvement with Right to Privacy, a lesbian and gay political action organization that was headquartered in Portland, Oregon. He talks about ballot measures against gay rights in Oregon, discusses his involvement with the Portland drag performance community, and shares his thoughts about marriage equality.

This oral history interview with April D. Lewis was conducted by Tyler Brewington and Heaven Hartford on May 1, 2012, for the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest. The interview was conducted as part of a senior capstone class on LGBTQ history at Portland State University, with instructor Pat Young. A transcript of the interview is available.

In this interview, Lewis briefly discusses her family background, early life in Portland, Oregon, and her early career. She talks about her relationship with Carol D. French, about her experience of coming out as a lesbian to her family, and about how social attitudes towards LGBT people changed. She discusses lesbian and gay bars in Portland, talks about recovering from alcoholism, and speaks about people she knew who were affected by the AIDS epidemic. She also speaks about raising children with her partner and talks about marriage equality. The interviewers close the interview by discussing their senior capstone class on LGBTQ history at Portland State University, with instructor Pat Young.

Davis reflects on her tenure (1998-2011) as the second owner/publisher of Just Out (Portland's LGBT newspaper).

French discusses Gay and Gray (a Portland service organization for elderly LGBT), as well as her own life story and partnership of 25 years with April Lewis.

Patty Wolff relates stories and anecdotes about the life of Wolff's partner of many years, Maxine L'Ecuyer, and about the lives of lesbians during the first half of the 20th century. Wolff's partner, Maxine L'Ecuyer (b. 1923), was a French-Canadian, left by her parents to be raised in a Catholic orphanage in Kansas. After moving to California on her own at age 14, L'Ecuyer worked as a movie projectionist for the Marines during WWII, after which she joined a Catholic convent, believing her sexuality to be an abomination. Denied the right to take her final vows, L'Ecuyer attended graduate school at the University of Washington, and was briefly institutionalized (as a result of her sexuality being revealed and compromising her professional career as a professor). L'Ecuyer retired to Portland in her late 50s, at which time she at last found a means of realizing her same-sex attractions to other women. L'Ecuyer met Patty Wolff circa 1992, at a rally on Pioneer Square in opposition of Ballot Measure 9.