Naomi Benoit lesbian publications collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Commonwealth University, Cabell Library
James Branch Cabell Library
Virginia Commonwealth University
P.O. Box 842003
901 Park Avenue
Richmond, VA 23284-2003
Contact for questions and access:
POC: SCA Staff
Phone: (804) 828-1108
Fax: (804) 828-0151
Restrictions:

The collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Naomi Benoit lesbian publications collection, 1981-2002, Collection # M 341, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

Summary

Extent:
1.08 Linear Feet 1 records storage box
Creator:
Benoit, Naomi
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Naomi Benoit lesbian publications collection, 1981-2002, Collection # M 341, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The Naomi Benoit lesbian publications collection predominately consists of two lesbian publications, Lesbian Connection and the Richmond Lesbian-Feminist Flyer, previously named the Lesbian Feminist Flyer. Issues from Lesbian Connection span 1990-2002 and issues of Richmond Lesbian-Feminists Flyer span 1981-1998. The Richmond Lesbian-Feminists Flyer was ran and distributed by the Richmond Lesbian Feminists organization, co-founded by Beth Marschak, Stephanie Myers, and Mary Dean Carter.[1] Additionally, the collection contains a couple of instances of correspondence with lesbian organizations and with congress people about gay and lesbian rights, as well as a budget and policies from Richmond Lesbian Feminist (RLF) organization from the early 1990s. Ephemera in the collection includes a WomensBooks newsletter, a news clipping of a picture from the Lesbian and Gay pride parade on Broad Street in September 1993, and a directory of lesbian-friendly Richmond businesses collocated and distributed by RLF. -- [1] Cindy Bray, "Richmond Lesbian Feminists and the Women's Movement." OutHistory, 2013. https://outhistory.org/exhibits/show/rainbow-richmond/the-beginnings-of-pride/lesbian-feminists; Rose Norman, "Mary Dean Carter: Cofounder of Richmond Lesbian Feminists." Southern Lesbian Feminist Activist Herstory Project, 2022. https://slfaherstoryproject.org/mary-dean-carter-cofounder-of-richmond-lesbian-feminists/

Biographical / historical:

Naomi S. Benoit was active in the lesbian community in Richmond from what seems to be around the early 1980s until the 2000s and 2010s. Based on correspondence, Naomi attended meetings for the Richmond Lesbian Feminist (RLF) organization. Benoit worked for VCU Health in information technology for over 20 years, and she was a musician who played with a Richmond Indonesian ensemble, Gamelan Raga Kusuma. On August 26, 2017, Naomi passed away and was survived by her wife, Tabor McGregor, and her two step sons.[1] -- [1] Rockett, Ali, "Slain pedestrian 'knew how to do community' - Woman who died from injuries after getting hit by car on Broad Street remembered for her musical talents, friendship", Richmond Times-Dispatch, August 29, 2017

Acquisition information:
Gift of Naomi Benoit, August 2005.
Arrangement:

Folders are arranged alphabetically and, for publications, chronologically.

Physical description:
A couple issues of the Lesbian Connection newsletters had the back cover page torn, potentially indicating they donated to the newsletter. For the Richmond Lesbian Feminists Flyer, there is a folder titled, " Richmond Lesbian-Feminists Flyer - miscellaneous pages, brochure". It contains torn out covers of issues or a torn out pages.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard