Oral History Interview, Harriet Forman & Claire Fulenwider (1565)

Abstract

In their 2016 interview with Pat Calchina, Harriet Forman and Claire Fulenwider detail their lives in Madison. They spoke of the time period between 1961 and 1996 and of the following topics: working as a teacher and principal as a closeted lesbian, Harriet's first love, Blanche Goldberg and her early death from cancer, the founding of a local chapter of the National Lesbian Feminist Organization (NLFO), the importance of Lysistrata in their lives, Harriet’s 35 year relationship with Claire Fulenwider and their ultimate marriage and what it meant in their lives. Discussion of the Catherine Rouse murder/suicide and the memorial service that Harriet and Claire put together. This interview was conducted as part of the LGBTQ+ project for inclusion into the UW-Madison Archives and Records Management oral history program.