Transcript. 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 Dore 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, and 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 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.

Session 2. 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 Dore 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 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.

Session 1. 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 Dore 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, and 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.

Session 3. 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 Dore 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 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 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.

Session 2. This oral history interview with Bernie Foster was conducted by Jan Dilg at The Skanner Newsgroup offices in Portland, Oregon, from August 30 to October 12, 2017. Bernie 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 recorded over three sessions; however, the first part of the first session was not recorded. In the second interview session, conducted on September 17, 2017, Foster discusses the Skanner Foundation, which grants awards and scholarships to members of Oregon’s black community. He talks about starting the foundation in the early 1990s; the foundation’s annual fundraiser, the Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Breakfast; and some of the community members who have received awards and scholarships. He also briefly talks about his experience surviving cancer. He discusses the Portland Police Bureau, and shares his thoughts about police brutality against black people. He talks about his involvement in the renaming of Union Avenue to Martin King Luther, Jr. Boulevard. He then talks about his motivation for starting The Skanner newspaper, some of the stories the paper has published, and building a brand. He discusses preservation issues associated with running a website and how he handled those issues with The Skanner’s site.

Session 3. This oral history interview with Bernie Foster was conducted by Jan Dilg at The Skanner Newsgroup offices in Portland, Oregon, from August 30 to October 12, 2017. Bernie 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 recorded over three sessions; however, the first part of the first session was not recorded. In the third and final interview session, conducted on October 12, 2017, Foster revisits topics that were discussed in the unrecorded part of the first interview session. He talks about founding The Skanner with his wife, Bobbie Doré Foster, in 1975, including getting advertisers, practicing journalism in the 1970s, and distributing the paper and finding an audience. He talks about some of the stories he published, about handling dishonest sources, and about covering local politics. He discusses some of his interactions with the community, the changes in the Portland black community since the 1970s, and some examples of his activism. He talks about his relationship with the Oregon Historical Society, including receiving the History Makers award in 2013 and donating The Skanner’s photograph archive. He shares his hopes for the future of the newspaper, talks about the importance of journalism in a democracy, and revisits the topic of his motivation in starting The Skanner. He closes the interview by discussing his involvement in the Hood to Coast Relay.

Transcript. This oral history interview with Bernie Foster was conducted by Jan Dilg at The Skanner Newsgroup offices in Portland, Oregon, from August 30 to October 12, 2017. Bernie 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 recorded over three sessions; however, the first part of the first session was not recorded. In the first interview session, conducted on August 30, 2017, Foster discusses the history and daily operation of The Skanner, the Portland-based newspaper he co-founded. He talks about hiring journalists, attempting to expand into radio, and running an online news site. He talks about his involvement with the National Black Publishers Association and some of the stories he published, including on the topic of policing in Portland. In the second interview session, conducted on September 17, 2017, Foster discusses the Skanner Foundation, which grants awards and scholarships to members of Oregon’s black community. He talks about starting the foundation in the early 1990s; the foundation’s annual fundraiser, the Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Breakfast; and some of the community members who have received awards and scholarships. He also briefly talks about his experience surviving cancer. He discusses the Portland Police Bureau, and shares his thoughts about police brutality against black people. He talks about his involvement in the renaming of Union Avenue to Martin King Luther, Jr. Boulevard. He then talks about his motivation for starting The Skanner newspaper, some of the stories the paper has published, and building a brand. He discusses preservation issues associated with running a website and how he handled those issues with The Skanner’s site. In the third and final interview session, conducted on October 12, 2017, Foster revisits topics that were discussed in the unrecorded part of the first interview session. He talks about founding The Skanner with his wife, Bobbie Doré Foster, in 1975, including getting advertisers, practicing journalism in the 1970s, and distributing the paper and finding an audience. He talks about some of the stories he published, about handling dishonest sources, and about covering local politics. He discusses some of his interactions with the community, the changes in the Portland black community since the 1970s, and some examples of his activism. He talks about his relationship with the Oregon Historical Society, including receiving the History Makers award in 2013 and donating The Skanner’s photograph archive. He shares his hopes for the future of the newspaper, talks about the importance of journalism in a democracy, and revisits the topic of his motivation in starting The Skanner. He closes the interview by discussing his involvement in the Hood to Coast Relay.

Session 1. This oral history interview with Bernie Foster was conducted by Jan Dilg at The Skanner Newsgroup offices in Portland, Oregon, from August 30 to October 12, 2017. Bernie 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 recorded over three sessions; however, the first part of the first session was not recorded. In the first interview session, conducted on August 30, 2017, Foster discusses the history and daily operation of The Skanner, the Portland-based newspaper he co-founded. He talks about hiring journalists, attempting to expand into radio, and running an online news site. He talks about his involvement with the National Black Publishers Association and some of the stories he published, including on the topic of policing in Portland.

Tape 1, Side 1. This oral history interview with Gerry Pratt was conducted by Charles Digregorio at the offices of the Fred Meyer Savings and Loan Association in Portland, Oregon, on January 29, 1979. In this interview, Pratt tells stories about his family background and early life in Vancouver, Canada, including his education and his summer jobs. He talks about beginning his career in journalism at the Canadian Press, the Vancouver Sun, and the Toronto Telegram. He then discusses his career in journalism at the Oregonian newspaper and working as business editor. He speaks at length about his friendship with Fred G. Meyer. He describes his work as the president of Fred Meyer Savings and Loan, and the ways in which the banking field is changing. He also discusses his career as a television journalist. He closes the interview by talking about his plans for the future.

Transcript. This oral history interview with Gerry Pratt was conducted by Charles Digregorio at the offices of the Fred Meyer Savings and Loan Association in Portland, Oregon, on January 29, 1979. In this interview, Pratt tells stories about his family background and early life in Vancouver, Canada, including his education and his summer jobs. He talks about beginning his career in journalism at the Canadian Press, the Vancouver Sun, and the Toronto Telegram. He then discusses his career in journalism at the Oregonian newspaper and working as business editor. He speaks at length about his friendship with Fred G. Meyer. He describes his work as the president of Fred Meyer Savings and Loan, and the ways in which the banking field is changing. He also discusses his career as a television journalist. He closes the interview by talking about his plans for the future.

Tape 1, Side 2. This oral history interview with Gerry Pratt was conducted by Charles Digregorio at the offices of the Fred Meyer Savings and Loan Association in Portland, Oregon, on January 29, 1979. In this interview, Pratt tells stories about his family background and early life in Vancouver, Canada, including his education and his summer jobs. He talks about beginning his career in journalism at the Canadian Press, the Vancouver Sun, and the Toronto Telegram. He then discusses his career in journalism at the Oregonian newspaper and working as business editor. He speaks at length about his friendship with Fred G. Meyer. He describes his work as the president of Fred Meyer Savings and Loan, and the ways in which the banking field is changing. He also discusses his career as a television journalist. He closes the interview by talking about his plans for the future.

Tape 1, Side 1. In the first interview session, conducted on May 11, 2011, Gutwig discusses his family background and early life in the Parkrose neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, including his father's career as a drywall finisher and union involvement in Painters Local 10. He talks about his early journalism career, including his experiences working for his high school newspaper as a reporter and editor; and job shadowing with Gene Klare of the Oregon Labor Press, now the Northwest Labor Press.

Tape 1, Side 2. In the first interview session, conducted on May 11, 2011, Gutwig discusses his family background and early life in the Parkrose neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, including his father's career as a drywall finisher and union involvement in Painters Local 10. He talks about his early journalism career, including his experiences working for his high school newspaper as a reporter and editor; and job shadowing with Gene Klare of the Oregon Labor Press, now the Northwest Labor Press.

Tape 2, Side 1. In the second interview session, conducted on May 18, 2011, Gutwig continues to discuss his family background and early life in the Parkrose neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. He talks about his family's political and religious beliefs; taking guitar lessons; and meeting his future wife, Lori Clark, in high school. He then talks about studying journalism at Mount Hood Community College, including working at the college newspaper and playing baseball. He speaks at length about his relationship with Lori Clark. He discusses his activities after college and shares his memories of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.

Tape 2, Side 2. In the second interview session, conducted on May 18, 2011, Gutwig continues to discuss his family background and early life in the Parkrose neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. He talks about his family's political and religious beliefs; taking guitar lessons; and meeting his future wife, Lori Clark, in high school. He then talks about studying journalism at Mount Hood Community College, including working at the college newspaper and playing baseball. He speaks at length about his relationship with Lori Clark. He discusses his activities after college and shares his memories of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.

Tape 4, Side 1. In the fourth interview session, conducted on June 30, 2011, Gutwig continues to describe the interview process for the job of managing editor of the Northwest Labor Press. He then talks about his career as managing editor of the newspaper, including how the paper operated and working with Gene Klare. He describes the changes he made to the production of the paper, particularly the introduction of desktop publishing. He also shares the history of the Northwest Labor Press. He talks about his relationship with Portland labor leaders, about the lack of coverage about labor issues in the mainstream press, and about how working at the Northwest Labor Press affected his political beliefs. He discusses the paper's distribution, speculates about the future of the paper, and talks about labor in politics. He also talks about Barbara Roberts.

Tape 3, Side 1. In the third interview session, conducted on June 1, 2011, Gutwig continues to share his memories of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. He talks about his experience as a journeyman drywall finisher. He then discusses working as sports editor for the Central Oregonian newspaper. He talks about life in Prineville, describes the process of publishing a newspaper in the 1980s, and talks about covering high school sports and rodeos. He speaks about selling ad space for the paper, raising a family in Prineville, and returning to Portland to work for the Northwest Labor Press in 1986. He describes the interview process for the job of managing editor of the Northwest Labor Press.

Tape 3, Side 2. In the third interview session, conducted on June 1, 2011, Gutwig continues to share his memories of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. He talks about his experience as a journeyman drywall finisher. He then discusses working as sports editor for the Central Oregonian newspaper. He talks about life in Prineville, describes the process of publishing a newspaper in the 1980s, and talks about covering high school sports and rodeos. He speaks about selling ad space for the paper, raising a family in Prineville, and returning to Portland to work for the Northwest Labor Press in 1986. He describes the interview process for the job of managing editor of the Northwest Labor Press.

Tape 4, Side 2. In the fourth interview session, conducted on June 30, 2011, Gutwig continues to describe the interview process for the job of managing editor of the Northwest Labor Press. He then talks about his career as managing editor of the newspaper, including how the paper operated and working with Gene Klare. He describes the changes he made to the production of the paper, particularly the introduction of desktop publishing. He also shares the history of the Northwest Labor Press. He talks about his relationship with Portland labor leaders, about the lack of coverage about labor issues in the mainstream press, and about how working at the Northwest Labor Press affected his political beliefs. He discusses the paper's distribution, speculates about the future of the paper, and talks about labor in politics. He also talks about Barbara Roberts.

Tape 6, Side 2. In the fifth and final interview session, conducted on July 14, 2011, Gutwig speaks at length about the effects of NAFTA, of the attacks on September 11, 2001, and of changes to the National Labor Relations Board on labor unions. He also talks about the relationship between labor and the Democratic Party, particularly with President Barack Obama. He discusses operating the Northwest Labor Press at the time of the interview in 2011 and talks about his staff, including Don McIntosh. He talks about labor union membership, about the benefits of collective bargaining, and about the attacks on unions from conservative politicians. He closes the interview by discussing the target audience of the Northwest Labor Press, talking about the future of the paper, and sharing some of the things he learned over his years reporting on labor issues.

Tape 5, Side 1. In the fourth interview session, conducted on June 30, 2011, Gutwig continues to describe the interview process for the job of managing editor of the Northwest Labor Press. He then talks about his career as managing editor of the newspaper, including how the paper operated and working with Gene Klare. He describes the changes he made to the production of the paper, particularly the introduction of desktop publishing. He also shares the history of the Northwest Labor Press. He talks about his relationship with Portland labor leaders, about the lack of coverage about labor issues in the mainstream press, and about how working at the Northwest Labor Press affected his political beliefs. He discusses the paper's distribution, speculates about the future of the paper, and talks about labor in politics. He also talks about Barbara Roberts.

Tape 6, Side 1. In the fifth and final interview session, conducted on July 14, 2011, Gutwig speaks at length about the effects of NAFTA, of the attacks on September 11, 2001, and of changes to the National Labor Relations Board on labor unions. He also talks about the relationship between labor and the Democratic Party, particularly with President Barack Obama. He discusses operating the Northwest Labor Press at the time of the interview in 2011 and talks about his staff, including Don McIntosh. He talks about labor union membership, about the benefits of collective bargaining, and about the attacks on unions from conservative politicians. He closes the interview by discussing the target audience of the Northwest Labor Press, talking about the future of the paper, and sharing some of the things he learned over his years reporting on labor issues.

Tape 7, Side 1. In the fifth and final interview session, conducted on July 14, 2011, Gutwig speaks at length about the effects of NAFTA, of the attacks on September 11, 2001, and of changes to the National Labor Relations Board on labor unions. He also talks about the relationship between labor and the Democratic Party, particularly with President Barack Obama. He discusses operating the Northwest Labor Press at the time of the interview in 2011 and talks about his staff, including Don McIntosh. He talks about labor union membership, about the benefits of collective bargaining, and about the attacks on unions from conservative politicians. He closes the interview by discussing the target audience of the Northwest Labor Press, talking about the future of the paper, and sharing some of the things he learned over his years reporting on labor issues.

Tape 1, Side 1. In the first interview session, conducted on December 7, 1977, Jensen discusses her family background and early life in South Portland, her career as a freelance reporter for the Oregonian and Oregon Journal newspapers, and her career as a real estate agent. She then speaks at length about her involvement in the preservation of the Columbia River Gorge. She describes how she became interested in nature conservation; talks about her efforts to advocate for the Wyam people and to save Celilo Falls; and speaks about the restoration of the Vista House on Crown Point. She also talks about working with John Yeon on conservation of the Gorge. She closes the session by revisiting the topic of her family background and early life in South Portland.