About
This website is the result of an oral history project in Fall of 2023 and Spring 2024 with students in the Fordham class Photography, Identity, Power in which SAGE elders were invited to participate in interviews about their lives using their photography collections. On November 29, 2023, elders traveled to Fordham University Lincoln Center for an oral history luncheon with Fall 2023 students. They brought photos in many forms – on their phones, in their albums, printed out from the computer—many of which are scanned and reproduced here. Students interviewed and recorded their conversations, then produced detailed notes and memos about the interviews. Students in the Spring 2024 reviewed the material, created transcripts, and traveled to SAGE Center Bronx for a follow-up luncheon. Students then worked collaboratively to design and populate the site.
This project was supported by a Faculty-Led Initiative Grant from the Center for Community Engaged Learning. Images and interviews are protected under a creative commons license.
Vivian Jones sharing photograph albums with students Isabel Velazco and Sara Petrakis, Fordham University, November 29, 2023. Photo by Keisha Shay.
Fordham students and elders gathered in Fordham conference room November 29, 2024. Photo by Keisha Shay.
Oral history luncheon, Fordham University, November 29, 2023. Photo by Keisha Shay.
Shirley Parker with students at SAGE Bronx luncheon, April 10, 2024. Photo by Ramsay Macdonald.
Jacqueline Charcot raising a toast at luncheon hosted at SAGE Center Bronx, April 10, 2024. Photo by Ramsay Macdonald
Fordham students and elders gathered in courtyard at SAGE Center at Crotona Park, April 10, 2024. Photo by Cherise Sheriffe
SAGE is the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ older people. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBTQ+ older people and their caregivers.
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1784 Prospect Ave, Bronx, NY 10457
Website Credits:
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Supervising Fordham professor: Diana Kamin
Program Coordinator, SAGE Center Bronx: Cherise Sheriffe
Website designers: Jordin Arneaud-Wilson and Elene Jishkariani
Page credits:
Jacqueline Charlot and Loretta “Cookie” Dennis
Interviewed by Maura Johnston and Emory Olander
Page content by Jordin Arneaud-Wilson, Juliana Burke, and Rachel Newton
Audrey Donely and Eleanor Jones
Interviewed by Cara Gilbert, Colleen Kelly, Sophie Sinton
Page content by Aurora Gallagher, Madison Hales, and Aiden Bechamps
Donna Sue Johnson
Interviewed by Natalie Conte and Cambria Martinez
Page content by Kamila Castillo, Aidan Colavita, and Ryle Heiser
Vivian Jones
Interviewed by Sara Petrakis and Isabel Velazco
Page content by Sofia Fappiano, Kate Popky, and Livia Sarnelli
Renata Ramos
Interviewed by Alyssa Morterud and Chris Sheppard
Page content by Elene Jishkariani and George Kane
Shirley Parker
Interviewed by Kylie Webb, Mary Jahn, Paul Stein
Page content by Sarah Jane Nader and Jack O’Neill
Laverne Tapley
Interviewed by Andrew Hall and Katie Moore
Page content by Ramsay Macdonald
Any Villaneuva
Interviewed by Maria Cristina Mendoza Intriago & Victoria Alvarez-Morphy
Page content by Sari Avila-Franklin and Sophia Fang
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Full list of participating students:
Victoria Alvarez-Morphy
Jordin Arneaud-Wilson
Sari Avila-Franklin
Aiden Bechamps
Juliana Burke
Kamila Castillo
Aidan Colavita
Natalie Conte
Sophia Fang
Sofia Fappiano
Aurora Gallagher
Cara Gilbert
Andrew Hall
Madison Hales
Rylie Heiser
Mary Jahn
Elene Jishkariani
Maura Johnston
George Kane
Colleen Kelly
Ramsay Macdonald
Cambria Martinez
Maria Mendoza Intriago
Katie Moore
Alyssa Morterud
Sarah Jane Nader
Rachel Newton
Jack O'Neill
Emory Olander
Sara Petrakis
Kate Popky
Livia Sarnelli
Christopher Sheppard
Sophie Sinton
Paul Stein
Isabel Velazco
Kylie Webb
Claire Yustat