The Pacific Northwest Logging Community, 1920 – 1998

Acknowledgements

This project was a facet of Debra Sutphen’s Columbia River Fellowship (1998-99). William L. Lang, (former) Director of the Center for Columbia River History, provided overall guidance and support for this project.  His challenging suggestions and love for the Pacific Northwest and particularly for the Columbia River Basin greatly enhanced the project.  Laurie Mercier, (formerly) Assistant Director of the Center for Columbia River History, offered essential historical advice and support, and her expertise in oral history and community history were invaluable to the overall conceptualization and execution of this project.

Harrison Higgs, Washington State University Vancouver, provided superb training in the complexities of web page design and development and html.  Susan Vetter, Washington State University Pullman, consistently rose to the challenges of numerous computer and software glitches and malfunctions.

Thanks goes to many who helped make this project possible through their advice and assistance:  Keith Peterson at Washington State University Pullman; Joyce Lee at the National Archives-Pacific Northwest Region; Robert Walls, Lafeyette University; Gordon Dodds, Portland State University; Kris White, Oregon Historical Society; Cheyrl Oakes, Forest History Society; Orlan Svingen, Washington State University Pullman; Pauline Larson, Weyerhaeuser Archives; Janet Creighton, and Tim Kittelsen.

Deep appreciation goes to  Diane Heersink, Brian Heersink, and Sharon Lahti for the invaluable role that they played in ensuring the success of “Women and Timber” by serving as conduits into the logging community.

Finally, “Women and Timber” exists because of the women whose voices comprise it.  Thanks goes to Gaye Lynn Cook, Norma Corbett, Sharon Erdman, Diane Heersink, Myrna Ihrig, Tawney Perry, Carol Smith, Jane Storm, Linda Storm, Sharon Lahti, Linda Vanderpool, Mystee Vanderpool, Joyce Ziegler, and Teresa Ziegler.  Your courage and determination inspire all those who know you and those who will come to know you through these interviews.  Thank you.

Written by Debra Sutphen, 1998.