Feminist Activism in Oregon: The Flight of the Mind Writing Workshops for Women, 1984–2000

The backlash against the Second Wave was firmly entrenched when Judith Barrington and Ruth Gundle set out to create The Flight of the Mind, a feminist summer writing program for women at a rustic retreat center on the McKenzie River. Diverse participants came from all over the country; prominent writers, from Oregon and beyond, taught classes. At its height, there were 105 participants, teachers, and staff during each two week-long sessions — a vibrant and supportive community of women seriously focused on writing. They ate their meals together, gathered in the evenings for formal readings, and took breaks to go swimming, fishing, rafting, or hiking to waterfalls and hot springs.

In this panel discussion, Barrington and Gundle will be joined by Barbara Sjoholm, Anndee Hochman, and Deborah Miranda, as they share their own experiences and discuss how The Flight of the Mind was different from the standard model of a writing workshop, what made it feminist, and what we can carry forward from it. Annelise Heinz will facilitate the conversation, and former participants, teachers, and staff members will be in the audience to share stories.