Salter, Kimberly

Metadata

Abstract

An oral history of Dr. Kimberly Salter, Activist and co-director of the Orange County Chapter of the National Organization for Women. The purpose of this interview is to gather information on her career as an activist and her work as part of the National Organization for Women (NOW). More specifically, how NOW has been able to keep itself current in today’s society. This interview is part of a project for Dr. Natalie Fousekis’ History 493 oral history course and her University project “Women in Politics and Activism since suffrage.” Specifically, this interview talks about Salter’s childhood in Pasadena and why her parents valued education; how her mother going back to work created great responsibility for her; explains why she became an activist; reflects on her childhood role models and why she became a counselor; talks about the challenges of going to college as a female in the 1960s and why she protested the Vietnam War; explains how her parent’s political ideology influenced her choices; talks about how she met her husband; describes how her activism affected her immediate family; talks about her work as organizational psychologist; explains why she became involved with the National Organization for Women (NOW) and how the organizations mission has kept her active; speaks about whether NOW is a grassroots organization and the struggle to raise funds; compares her roles as president of California NOW vs. the Orange County chapter; describes differences between California NOW chapters; talks about the issues NOW has promoted including: reproductive freedom, pay equality, and human trafficking; explains why NOW picketed Hobby Lobby; describes how NOW is recruiting young members and the importance of the Adalente conference; talks about work in other activist organizations including: American Association of University Women, the National Women’s Political Caucus, Association of Women in Psychology, United States National Committee for UN Women, Southern California Chapter; explains why she supports combining activism and education; talks about her work with the suffrage centennial; describes her leadership style; compares differences between how men and women can lead; defines feminism; talks about how maintains her motivation; and finally, talks about different types of activists.