Cheryl Curtis and Morgan Grey papers

 Guide to the Cheryl Curtis and Morgan Grey papers
1954-2018

Collection number: HMC-1286.
Creator:
Curtis, Cheryl.
Grey, Morgan, 1954-.
Title: Cheryl Curtis and Morgan Grey papers.
Dates: 1954-2018.
Volume of collection: 8.8 cubic feet and 89.7 MB.
Language of materials: Materials in the collection are in English.
Collection summary: Papers of a couple who were advocates for feminist and lesbian issues, and women in the trades.

Biographical note:
Cheryl Curtis was born in Palmer, Alaska in 1961. She graduated from Chugiak High School, where she was All-State in basketball in 1979. She attended Pacific University in Oregon and graduated from Springfield College in Massachusetts in 1983. She stayed on the East Coast and pursued a career in carpentry and housing maintenance, working as counselor and carpentry instructor for Northern New England Tradeswomen in Vermont. In 1994, Curtis and her longtime partner, Morgan Grey, moved back to Alaska, where she enjoyed hiking, kayaking, biking, and picking blueberries. Curtis continued to work in building maintenance, and she and Grey were involved with the Alaska Tradeswomen Network. She was diagnosed with amyloidosis and started an online chat room for people with the condition to help herself and others heal. She began a program to work toward a master’s degree in social work, however she was unable to finish due to her declining health. Cheryl Curtis passed away in 2008 from complications of amyloidosis.

Morgan Grey was born in 1954 and grew up in Beatrice Nebraska. She graduated from Beatrice High School in 1972 and from the University of Nebraska in 1985. In 1978, she wrote two informational booklets published by the Nebraska Task Force on Domestic Violence. She served as the Managing editor for Matrices: A Lesbian Feminist research newsletter from 1978 to 1986. In 1988, she published the book, The Book of Found Goddesses: Asphalta to Viscera along with Julia Penelope, a linguistics professor at the University of Nebraska. She moved to Vermont and, in 1991, wrote Step-up for Women/Women’s Resources Curriculum: A Course in Empowerment for Tradeswomen” published by Northern New England Tradeswomen. While living in Vermont, she was also involved with the Vermont Institute of Natural Science as a handler for birds of prey. In 1994, she moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where she worked as an academic advisor at the University of Alaska Anchorage. In addition to her writing, Grey has taught workshops on goddess worship and shamanism, as well as performing readings and plays related to feminism. Morgan Grey changed her name from Bobby Lynn Lacy, and some materials in the collection reflect her previous name.

Collection description:
The collection consists of the papers of Cheryl Curtis and Morgan Grey, who lived in Alaska and were involved in feminist issues, those surrounding women in the trades. The collection is divided in to series for Cheryl Curtis’s personal papers; Morgan Grey’s personal papers;  and papers relating to women in the trades, which include materials from events and organizations in which both women were involved. Both Curtis and Grey’s papers contain educational and employment records, correspondence, journals, writings, photographs, and scrapbooks. Curtis’s papers also contain information related to her illness and death. Grey’s papers include materials related to workshops she taught, as well as audiocassettes of psychic and astrological readings. The series relating to women in the trades includes Morgan Grey’s writings about the subject; records of the Alaska Tradeswomen Network; a photograph album from a Step Up for Women program in New Hampshire; and VHS titled Women Working.

Arrangement: The collection is arranged into three series:

Series 1: Cheryl Curtis papers; 1961-2008
Series 2: Morgan Grey papers; 1954-2018
Series 3: Women in the trades papers; 1987-2006

Alternative formats: Selected photograph albums and scrapbooks were dismantled due to condition issues and photocopies were made to indicate their original order.

Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.

Digital materials: The digital contents of this collection are not available online. Access may only be provided on-site in the Archives research room. For more information about potential distance access to digital records, please contact Archives and Special Collections.

Rights note: Copyright to materials in the collection is held by Morgan Grey. Archives and Special Collections is authorized to provide access and copies for use.

Preferred citation: Cheryl Curtis and Morgan Grey papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.

Works used in preparation of inventory:

“Cheryl Ann Curtis.” Obituaries. Anchorage Daily News. February 10, 2008. Accessed March 1, 2018. https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/cheryl-curtis-obituary?pid=103046500&view=guestbook

“49 Writers Volunteer Interview: Morgan Grey.” 49 Writers Blog. May 10 2011. Accessed May 30, 2018. http://49writers.org/2011/05/49-writers-volunteer-interview-morgan.html

Separated materials: Published materials were removed from the collection, and selected items were added to the Archives Ephemera collections and the Consortium Library’s Rare Books collection.

Acquisition note: Morgan Grey donated the collection to the Archives in 2017. A deed of gift was signed and additional material was donated in 2018.

Processing information: This collection was described by Gwen Higgins in 2018. At that time some photograph albums and scrapbooks in the collection were dismantled and rehoused due to condition issues.

Container list:

Series 1: Cheryl Curtis papers; 1961-2008. 2 cubic feet.
Papers and photographs related to Cheryl Curtis’s personal and professional life, including employment and education records, awards, correspondence, diaries and other writings, remembrances of Curtis after her death in 2008, photographs, and scrapbooks. Materials are arranged by type of document.

Box/Folder Description Date
1/1 Birth certificate 1961
1/2 Passport 2006
1/3 College records 1983-1984
1/4 Teacher’s certificate 1984
1/5 Apprenticeship documents 1984-1986
1/6 Resumes 1983-2001
1/7 Reference letters 1987, 2000
1/8 Awards and certificates 1972-1990
Box 9 Real estate documents 1994
Box 9 Chugiak High School track and field Most Valuable trophy 1977
Box 9 2nd Annual Susan B. Anthony Race 10K, 18-29 age group first place plaque 1981
Box 9 Weidner Investment Services, Inc. Maintenance of the Year plaque 1997
1/9 Membership cards and student IDs undated, 1972, 1983
1/10 Chugiak High School graduation announcement and diploma 1979
Box 9 Chugiak High School graduation cap and gown 1979
1/11-19 Correspondence 1970-2017
1/20-22 Diaries 1975-1992
1/23 Address book and accompanying notes: birthdays, product information, email lists 2007-2008
1/24 Resurrection trail memorial notebook 1996
1/25 Writings undated, 1976-1982
1/26 Notes undated, 2002
1/27 Transcript of interview about amyloidosis undated
1/28 “Spirit Healing Song” by Cheryl Curtis and Dan Komiya undated, 2005
1/29 Remembrances of Cheryl Curtis 2008
1/30 Celebration of life and scattering of ashes program and invitation 2008
1/31 Childhood photograph album 1961-1984
1/32 Hawaii scrapbook undated
Box 9 High school scrapbook 1976-1979
1/33 Graduation scrapbook 1979
1/34 Pacific University scrapbook 1979-1980
1/35 Photograph album 1980-1981
1/36-1/38 Photographs 1980-1992
1/39 Photographs: camping and hiking 1994 August
1/40 Photographs: Alaska Highway and ice skating 1995
2/1 Photographs: Hawaii 1999
2/2 Photographs 2006
2/3 Photographs: dipnetting undated
2/4 Photographs: canoe trip undated
2/5 Photographs: canoe trip, mining equipment, travel photographs undated
2/6 Photographs: kayak trip, cats undated
2/7 Photographs: kayaking and rafting undated
2/8 Photographs: cabin and china dishes undated
2/9 Photographs: kayak trip undated
2/10 Photographs: unidentified woman painting a house and posing with children and dog undated
2/11 Photographs: family members, dogs undated
2/12 Photographs 1987-1993
2/13 Photographs: Flossie Joyce Kneff-Pelletier memorial photographs undated, 2007
2/14-15 Celebration of life display photographs undated
Server Photographs: Cheryl and Cheyenne, Cheryl’s party 2007
Server Photographs: celebration of life 2008
2/16 Negatives: Chilkoot Trail undated
2/17 Negatives: hiking and camping undated
2/18 Negatives undated, 1977-1980
2/19 Locks of hair undated
2/20 Hawaii cruise video 1999 February 13

Series 2: Morgan Grey papers; 1954-2018. 5.6 cubic feet.
Morgan Grey’s personal papers include a baby book, childhood artwork, educational records and school memorabilia, correspondence, journals, writings, workshop materials, photographs, audio recordings, and video recordings. Materials are arranged by type of document.

Box/Folder Description Date
2/22 Baptism certificate and adoption order 1955, 1961
2/23 Baby book 1954
2/24 School records 1959-1973
2/25 School memorabilia 1960-1976
2/26 University of Rhode Island Chowder and Marching Society certificate 1971 July 22
2/27 Diploma-Beatrice High School, Beatrice, Nebraska 1972
2/28 Diploma-University of Nebraska 1985
2/29 Beatrice High School reunion booklet 1982
2/30 Desktop publishing class feedback 1991
2/31 Certificates 1985-2006
2/32-4/6 Correspondence 1978-2018
4/7-5/4 Journals 1970-2012
5/5 Weekly planner 1984
5/6 Datebook 1985
5/7 Psychic readings 1988-1990
5/8 Book of shadows 1985
5/9-5/11 Julia Penelope Stanley papers on feminist linguistics 1966-1986
5/12 Midwest Region Women’s Studies Association conference materials 1980
5/13 Shamanism: events, correspondence, newsletters, World Tree Foundation documents 1998-2001
5/14 Becoming Whole: Modern Goddess Workshop materials undated
5/15 Speech: Found Goddesses/Finding the Scared undated
5/16 Classes and workshops: schedules and notes undated, 1983
5/17 Magic workshop undated
5/18 Matriarchal religions: historical perspectives notes undated
5/19 Exercises for workshops undated, 1985
5/20 Handouts for classes undated
5/21 Energy balancing workshop handouts circa 1997
5/22 Spiritual journeys workshop handout undated
5/23 Visualization class exercises undated
5/24 Crimes against women-reading undated
5/25 Women and nature-reading undated
5/26 Lesbian Herstory undated, 1981
5/27-6/1 Stories and poems undated, 1969-1975
6/2 “Unspeakable Stuffing: Fat Dykes in Lesbian Literature” 1981
6/3 Grief workshop evaluations undated
6/4 Articles 1979-1980, 2000
6/5 Linguistics papers 1978-1979
6/6 “Perspectives on Violence Against Women: Wife Beating and Witch Burning” 1979
6/7 Women’s studies papers 1978-1980
6/8 Schoolwork 1971, 1981
6/9 Found goddesses notes undated
6/10-11 The Book of Found Goddesses: Asphalta to Viscera as Revealed to Morgan Grey and Julia Penelope drafts 1987
6/12 The Book of Found Goddesses royalties 1992
6/13 The Book of Found Goddesses contracts 1988
6/14 The Book of Found Goddesses query correspondence 1988
6/15 The Book of Found Goddesses reprints 1989
6/16 The Book of Found Goddesses correspondence 1986-1988
6/17 The Book of Found Goddesses reviews 1988-1989
6/18 New goddesses undated
6/19 Kudzu Vine newsletter 1982-1983
6/20 Matrices: A Lesbian/Feminist research newsletter 1977-1985
6/21 Lesbian Spiritual Community survey responses 1987-1988
6/22 Infant photograph album 1954
6/23 Childhood portraits circa 1960
Box 9 Childhood scrapbook circa 1960-1970
6/24 Photograph album: childhood and trip to New Mexico (with negatives) undated 1955-1971
6/25 Scrapbook 1964-1972
6/26 Photograph album undated, 1969-1975
6/27 Photograph album undated, 1989
7/1 Doug Foulk, Alan Nations, and Cyndi negatives undated
7/2 Midwestern Lesbian Feminist Conference negatives undated
7/3 Rock hunting trip negatives undated
7/4 Meg and Emily (cats), Lincoln, Nebraska negatives undated
7/5-6 Unidentified travel photographs negatives undated
7/8 Unidentified negatives undated
7/9-21 Negatives: road wash out; St. Johnsbury, Vermont house and octagonal cabin; cats; Vermont Institute of Natural Science; Maine falcon hacking site, whale watching; Morgan with her mother. 1990-1991
7/22 Hot air balloons negatives undated
7/23 Debbie Alicen, Mariain Aubuchon, Kate Moran photographs 1991
7/24 “Circle” photographs undated
7/25 Florida photographs 1991
7/26 Uncle Earl’s 40 acres in Hornbrook, California photographs 1995
7/27 Alaska scenery and blueberries undated
7/28 Archaeological dig of Dena’ina house site south of Soldotna, Alaska 2000
7/29 Family and friends photographs undated, 1975-2010
Box 9 Morgan Grey headshots undated
7/30 Vagina Monologues photographs and programs 2005
Roll 1, OSF Posters relating to feminism, lesbianism, and goddess worship undated
7/31-32 Audiocassettes: Psychic readings, astrology, witchcraft 1981-1990
7/33 DVD: VINS [Vermont Institute of Natural Science]/Morgan and Alamere on the news undated
7/34 VHS: University of Alaska Anchorage “GLBT Panel,” University of Alaska Anchorage “Way of the Shaman” undated
Box 9 Girl Scout sash undated

 Series 3: Women in the trades papers; 1987-2006. 1 cubic foot.
Papers related to Curtis and Grey’s work advocating for women in the trades, including Morgan Grey’s writing about the topic; records of Alaska Tradeswomen Network, of which both women were board members; photographs taken of a Step Up for Women program in New Hampshire; and a VHS titled Women Working. Materials are arranged by document type.

Box/Folder Description Date
7/35 Inquiry letters regarding women in the trades 1991-1994
7/36 Kennebec Valley Technical College History of Women in Trades correspondence and contracts 1992-1995
7/37-8/1 A History of Women in the Trades by Morgan Grey undated
Roll 1 A History of Women in the Trades promotional poster undated
8/2-3 Step-up for Women/Women’s Resources Curriculum: A Course in Empowerment for Tradeswomen,” 2nd edition, published by Northern New England Tradeswomen. Morgan Grey, Writer/Editor 1993
8/4 Northern New England Tradeswomen’s Conference evaluations undated, 1987
8/5 Northern New England Tradeswomen peer evaluations 1990
8/6 “Task Force Performance Guide: Gender Equity and Education in the Workplace” Vocational curriculum Resource Center of Maine 1997
8/7 Alaska Tradeswomen Network correspondence 1998
8/8 Alaska Tradeswomen Network membership documents 1998-1999
8/9 Alaska Tradeswomen Network newsletters 1998-2000
8/10-12 Alaska Tradeswomen Network administrative documents: articles of incorporation, bylaws, minutes, and newsletters 1998-2006
8/13 Newsletters of other tradeswomen groups 1998-2002
8/14 Habitat for Humanity volunteer information 1998
8/15 Photograph album: Step Up for Women, New Hampshire 1992-1993
8/16 VHS: Women Working 1994

 

Comments are closed.