women of the redwood empire

I came to Humboldt County in mid-summer 2014 where family friends lived. That year had been challenging for me after taking a buyout of my lease and working as a program coordinator in a burn-out job for an Oakland public school.  I had run out of resolve and options to sustain myself; a casualty of the rabid gentrification and rental market, which was displacing locals like me. Beat and being an itinerant by nature, I went into exile in the redwoods for awhile. I've gone into the unknown before and most certainly will again. I know how to get lost. 

  Humboldt was an arduous experience in the beginning. It was very different from Berkeley and the East Bay. With the exception of a few road trips up there, I knew little about the county - other than the abundance of trees and weed.  It is a homogeneous place, with a population that is about 81% white.  The population of Humboldt as a whole is about 150,000 (the population of Berkeley is around 115,000).  For the first few months I worked odd jobs at the HSU bookstore, the Chicken Wing Fest in Eureka, and on the set-up crew of the North Country Fair (12 hour days starting at 5am), and volunteered at Scrap Humboldt (a re-use art non-profit).  By October, I was offered a contract job as an administrative assistant at Arcata Elementary School. I also rented a room from a nurse with an agender teenager and awesome boxer dog (he became my explorations companion). 

            Arcata suited me because it was a bit like the college town I grew up in. When my friends back home asked me about Humboldt, I'd joke and say, ' Hippie cartel! Hella trees and hella tarp!'   Eureka seemed like the place that time forgot without much active life or culture and a serious meth epidemic. The 101 ran right through skid row; dotted with seedy motels and pawn shops. Over time I began to explore the woods, beaches, and trails which were stunningly beautiful.  I had been a lone wolf for months as is my nature whenever I’m ‘ ….going through it’.  Eventually, slowly I came back to myself, and then friendships and connections began to form.

            I became fascinated with the women at AES. Many had come there as students at HSU and stayed, others from Ohio, Pennsylvania, DC, Michigan, and Utah.  I found them to be genuine, unaffected, and hilarious during tough and action-packed days with the students. They were hard-working and almost all had an endeavor outside of their occupations, which also defined them.  They accepted me and respected my connection to other black and mixed-race students at the school. They shared their labor and friendship, and made me feel welcome; the sister outsider from Btown. They were instrumental in helping me get back to myself before I went home.  

            I wanted to document these women; mostly white, which I thought was interesting in the context of being a mixed-race black woman.  How did I see them as opposed to coming into an unfamiliar space and being cognizant of how they saw me?  I’m fascinated by the realm of women in my life; whether it was the Somali sisters I protested with in Italy or the mountain woman who gave me a ride in her truck in the Catskills. In America, we're subjected to the illusion of perfection; to the myth of 'having it all'. Our choices are often questioned, we sacrifice, work to the point of self-destruction, yet are expected to remain desirable and unwavering in deference to a patriarchal order. We looked out for one other at AES, especially when one of us needed a break.  In the end, I am grateful that my path crossed with theirs.  It made my time there extraordinary and transformative. 

' Be mine, Sister Salvation. Juke Joint Jezebel is coming for my cremation. Be mine, Sister Salvation. Closer now, see the revelation. ' 

 KMFDM 

Carrie 

Age: 29

Occupation: Lead Lunch Lady

Alternative Self: Stitchy bitch (knit) and spend time with my family.

What do you want?: I want more life. 

From: Humboldt County

Cindy 

Age: 47 

Occupation: Educational Secretary

Alternative Self: I'm a work in progress.

What do you want?: I want to make things better for everyone, especially kids.  

From: Eureka, CA

Victoria 

Age: 48

Occupation: 5th Grade Teacher 

Alternative Self: Dictator and/or Dominatrix

What do you want?: World peace?

From: Washington, DC

Holly (GoLightly)

Age: 34

Occupation: Instructional Aide and Ballet Instructor 

Alternative Self: Crafter and adventurer.

What do you want?: I want to do work that is meaningful and to be with the people that I love.

                                                          From : Michigan

 Nicole (Nikki Sixx)

Age: 35

Occupation: Lead Custodian

Alternative Self: Mother

What do you want? : I want to see people around me happy. 

From: Yucaipa, CA 

Chloe (Ole Chole) 

Age: 23

Occupation: ASP and SDC Instructor / Math Tutor 

Alternative Self: Derby queen, rock climber, and boxer.

What do you want?: I want to experience amazing things and encourage kids to get outdoors.

 From: Salt Lake City, UT 

 Peri

Age : 47

Occupation: English Language Instructor and Speech Therapy Aide

Alternative Self: Poet

What do you want? : I want to help kids.

From: Eureka, CA 

 Rachel 

Age: 29

Occupation: Teacher’s Aide - SDC

Alternative Self: Crafter, clay maker, and painter.

What do you want?: I want to enjoy life. 

From: Concord, CA 

 Rykijaye

Age: 23

Occupation: HSU Student and  Family Resource Center Intern

Alternative Self: Actress

What do you want?: I want to get as far away from my parents as possible.

From:  Los Angeles, CA 

Terry 

Age: 56

Occupation: 5th Grade Teacher

Alternative Self: Actress

What do you want?: I want to continue on the path that I’m on and travel more in the future.

 From: Florida and England (Navy brat)

Adrienne

Age: 37

Occupation: Lunch Lady and Dishwasher

Alternative Self: World traveler

What do you want? : I want happiness for my children. 

From: Columbus, Ohio