Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Isadore Wallace conducted by dindria barrow on February 17, 2022. In this interview, Wallace discusses his personal life lessons, his resistance to being oppressed or defined by trauma, and how he relates to his family located across many different states. Isadore asks us to think about becoming a better person and moving through life's changes, "Why would you go back to the dark when you have been to the light? Even if it has all of the things you need, you can't see them!"

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Jamika Scott conducted by dindria barrow on August 10, 2022. In this interview, Jamika shares the purpose of the Tacoma Action Collective, what it was like to run for Mayor, and life as an artist. Jamika shows vulnerability and strength in recounting her experience with an assault and the city's response to her case. Jamika inspires us to live in the now, embrace creativity and work on healing our wounds.

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Ukraine. Interviewed by dindria barrow on May 4, 2022.

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Korea. Interviewed by dindria barrow on May 4, 2022.

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Ukraine. Interviewed by dindria barrow on May 4, 2022.

Oral history interview with Tacoma residents Alicia Rodriguez and Maria Presiado conducted by dindria barrow on March 11, 2023. In this interview, Alicia and Maria, members of the Lantinx Unidos of the South Sound (LUSS) Promotoras, share their lives, purposes, and dreams in Spanish. They explain how they came to the United States, how they became LUSS Promotoras in the work that they do, and what they hope for their family’s and community’s futures.

Oral history interview of Anna Howerton and Poulsen Vanya conducted on February 25th, 2023, as part of the Archiving South Tacoma Communities event located at the South Tacoma Branch

Oral history interview recorded on April 18, 2023 at the Anderson University Center on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University. Interviewees were invited to participate in the interview based on their involvement with the Chambers-Clover Creek Watershed and included (pictured from left to right) Professor Adela Ramos, Don Russell, Fred L. Tobiason, Richard "Muggs" McGinnis, Sheri Tonn, and Al Schmauder. The interview was recorded as part of the 2023 Earth and Diversity Week/Steen Family Symposium events.

Oral history interview of Georgette and James Reuter conducted by dindria barrow on January 21, 2023, as part of the Archiving North End Communities event located at the Wheelock library branch.

Additionally, collection contains several photos with description written by Jim and Georgette Reuter.

When taken: Around 1945
Where taken: 1723 N. Oaks Street
Who is in these photographs: Jim Reuter as a young boy, with his mother, Margret Reuter and his paternal grandma "Kitty" Beulah Reuter and her husband.
What memories are contained in these photos: Although Jim's family lived in Lakewood, Jim spent many weekends with his grandma "Kitty" at her North Oaks home. He played in the Buckley Gulch with the neighbor kids and walked to the old Guild Theater to watch Saturday Serials (Westerns)

Oral history interview of Mike and Rosalie Gallegher conducted by dindria barrow on March 25, 2023, as part of the Archiving Northeast Communities event located at the Kobetich library branch.

Description provided by Mike and Rosalie Gallagher

When taken: 1910-2000

Where taken: Dash Point

Who is in these photographs?
John Gallagher
Bertha Gallagher
Their children: John Jr, Benny, Tom, Kathleen, Richard.

What memories are contained in these photos?
Early photos of family home, built in 1923, purchased by John and Bertha Gallagher in 1925. This was their only home - they lived here their entire married life 1925 - 1987.

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Russia. Interviewed by dindria barrow on April 27, 2022.

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from China. Interviewed by dindria barrow on April 27, 2022.

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Iraq. Interviewed by dindria barrow on May 11, 2022.

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Mexico. Interviewed by dindria barrow on May 11, 2022.

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Chace Hunter conducted by dindria barrow on August 25, 2022. In this interview, Chace talks about his family immigrating to Hilltop, Tacoma in 1993, then moving to South Tacoma in 1998, graduating from Western Washington University as well as University of Washington-Tacoma and then buying a home in Hilltop as an adult. Chace’s family fled Cambodia to escape the Khmer Rouge and were refugees in Thailand before coming to Tacoma. He is bilingual and has been married to his husband for six years. Chace has a passion for poetry, psychology, non-profits and nursing. Chace fell in love with his HIV Prevention work and is now the executive director of the AIDS Housing Association of Tacoma (AHAT Homecare). AHAT Homecare provides 24-hour home care, affordable housing/case management, and rental vouchers to the local HIV+ community. To paraphrase Chace: “I love giving back to the community, especially during a time of houselessness, and helping to provide homes to people in need.”

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Alfonso “Al” Brown conducted by dindria barrow on November 3, 2022. In this interview, Al shares his philosophies on life as well as the key tenets that have helped him survive failure, pain, suffering and homelessness to ultimately find that hope is what is needed to transform your own life as well as others’. Al talks about his work in the community and how he plans on making a difference bringing collegiate theory into real-world practice. Al has been featured in news stories by City University and KBTC about his life experience. Al shares his triumph in getting degrees despite the gatekeepers and about how education is the pinnacle change agent.

Oral history interview with Dr. Thelma Jackson conducted by dindria barrow on May 11, 2023. In this interview, Thelma shares about her childhood, her education, her move to Washington and her work in many different academic areas and social arenas. Thelma discusses how we need to be present about the past and future. To paraphrase, staying present will help us realize what work needs to be done in our community and society. Thelma shares her new book and how oral histories were a key component of telling the Black community’s story in Lacey and Thurston County.

Oral history interview with Tacoma residents Judith Rosas and Brisa Ramos Rosas conducted by dindria barrow on March 18, 2023. In this interview, Judith and Brisa, members of the Lantinx Unidos of the South Sound (LUSS) Promotoras, share their lives, purposes, and dreams in Spanish and English. They explain how they came to the United States, how they became LUSS Promotoras in the work that they do, and what they hope for their family’s and community’s futures.

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Colombia. Interviewed by dindria barrow on April 27, 2022.

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Mexico. Interviewed by dindria barrow on April 27, 2022.

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Colombia. Interviewed by dindria barrow on April 27, 2022.