Herstory

S.O.L. has been in existence since January, 1983. Although known as S.O.L., it had a different name then: "Slightly Older Lesbians". In 1987, the name was changed to Sisters of Lavender.

Initially, there already was a lesbian peer support group that met on Thursdays. A number of women felt women over thirty years of age had different concerns than those under thirty. Consequently, a group - about 20 or so at the first meeting - was formed, meeting on Wednesdays. Slightly Older Lesbians was a national name. After the Thursday group folded, younger lesbians began coming to S.O.L. and the name was changed to Sisters of Lavender.

The first meeting space for S.O.L. was Calico's - a Women's Art Space - at 47 W. Fifth. Other women's groups and activities were held there ... concerts, fundraisers, Writers' Guild. Stonewall Union's offices were next door at 49 W. Fifth.

The space at 47 W. Fifth (Calico's) has a herstory of its own. Following the Women's Art Space, it was leased by a day care center. S.O.L. continued meeting on Wednesday evenings. About six months later, the space was leased to a commercial establishment, and S.O.L. was forced to move. We found that the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) - a short distance away - was willing to rent us their space on Wednesday evenings. We were at MCC approximately two years.

S.O.L. was a support group committed to affirming our lesbian lifestyle. In addition to the Wednesday night meetings, we had social activities such as movie nights, dances, hayrides, pot lucks, camp outs, softball, touch football, picnics, and more. Our Wednesday night facilitators serve on a volunteer basis. We had outside speakers come to talk to us about legal issues, community or womyn's concerns, or financial matters, and networking.

By: Marianne P.