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Ann was horn Dec. 30, 1918, in Kansas City,
Mo. After her family moved to Portland, she
graduated from Grant High School. She earned
an associates degree from Stephens College in
1938 and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from
University of Missouri in 1940.
Ann started out working at newspapers in
McMinnville and Bend. In 1943 she was hired
hy The Oregon Journal, making her the publica­
tions first female general assignment reporter
since World War I.
She became a mother in 1946, which meant
putting her career on hold. However, her great­
est achievements were still decades away.
Ann unknowingly was enlisted as a civil rights
activist in 1971—just two years after Stonewall—
when Susie came out to her parents while home
from University of Oregon on Christmas vacation.
For the next year the couple treated their daugh­
Ann Shepherd served as grand marshal at Portland Pride 2001
ter’s sexual orientation as a “family problem.”
A year later, though, Susie brought a girl­
Ann was ordained as an elder of First Presby­ Oregon border. She...treated people equally,
friend home for the holidays— along with a
terian Church in 1982 and deacon in 1995. She
regardless of whether she was in a crowd of
book on lesbians for her parents to read. “That
served on the board of Young Audiences from
churchgoers or PFLAG moms or drag queens
really cracked me open,” said Ann, who had five
1977 to 1983 and played host to opera appren­ or people in formal evening wear. She treat­
daughters altogether, three of whom are gay.
tices in her home.
ed everyone with dignity, respect and love
In 1976 she was appointed to a two-year term
In 1986 she began serving on the Com m u­ and made no apology for doing so."
as the “token parent" on Oregon Gov. Bob
Another big fan of A n n ’s was the
nity Advisory Committee of the Multnomah
Straub’s Task Force on Sexual Preference. “Then
Imperial Sovereign Rose Court, which
County Restitution Center and chaired it
I really started reading in earnest,” she said.
from 1995 to 1998. She was named vice pres­ invested her with the title of Immortal
Bill, a respected general practice lawyer,
ident of the Blanche Fischer Foundation in
Legend of Diversity in December 2000.
founded the Portland Town Council Legal
1995 and elected as president of the organiza­ Explains Empress XLIV
Poison
Resource Group that same year. The organiza­ tion in 1998.
Waters: “Never have I met such a
tion brought together professionals who were
After Bill’s death in March 1995, Ann
friendly and lively person. From the
committed to ensuring justice for members of became the first recipient of Metropolitan Com ­ first time I met Ann, she always
the sexual minorities community.
munity Church’s namesake Shepherd’s Award.
greeted me with a smile, hug and a
The Shepherds began speaking before civic
kiss. Whether enjoying her compa­
In 1997 she was honored with the Oregon Gay
groups throughout the Northwest, urging parents and Lesbian Law Associa­
ny at a PFLAG meeting,
to accept their gay and lesbian children and con­ tion’s Lifetime Achievement
church or other social occasion, I
vincing churches and organizations to love, respect
always left feeling loved and thank­
Award.
and include all members. In 1977 the couple
ful to have been friends with this
The Northwest District
historic Old Church, 1422 S.W . llthAve.
teamed with Chuck and Rita Knapp to found the of the Universal Fellowship
marvelous woman. She truly was
Tickets will be available in early spring. For more
Portland chapter of Parents of Gays, which later o f Metropolitan Communi­
the mother of our community.”
information call 503-286-1752.
affiliated with the national PFLAG.
ty Churches gave Ann its
The Shepherd family sent an
For details about PORTLAND PARENTS, FAMILIES
e-mail to friends Jan. 5 thanking them
Ann took pride in "mothering” gay men and
2000 Human Rights Award.
and F riends of L esbians and G ays call
lesbians rejected by their families and churches
for their support during the past sever­ 503-232-7676; e-mail support@pflagpdx.org;
In February 2001 she
al months as their mother’s health
and worked with confused parents to heal the
received the Vollum Hu­ Bill and Ann Shepherd
write to P.O. Box 8944, Portland, OR
wounds of misinformation and judgment.
deteriorated. Susie found comfort
manitarian of the Year
y<H— hn - ii^ |- y ?w K *
“ Because of the solidarity we have in our own
knowing that Ann has joined her late husband i Ann Shepherd
Award from Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.
and dog in heaven.
family, we can be gixxl representatives to both
Her legacy lives on with the Bill and Ann
loved animals,
Shepherd Legal Scholarship Fund of Equity
“Mother is dancing with Daddy, Misha and
the parents and their children,” she said.
especially wolves:
Foundation, which honors law students in their all her other marvelous dogs and family and I; “ They’re like
The Shepherds went on to fight every anti-gay
last year of study who are dedicated to passing
friends over Kauai and other favorite places,”
gavs,’’ she told
ballot measure and candidate that crossed their
she wrote. “She loved each and every one of you
the bar exam and donating part of their expertise
path. In 1985 they received the prestigious Lucille
Just ( hit in 2001.
to helping keep their state hate-free by fighting
ferociously and will be your guardian angel like
Hart Award from the Right to Privacy PAC.
“ Society doesn't
anti-gay bigotry and discrimination. It was the
you’ve never known one!” J H
understand either
brainchild of the late Jeff Rose, Mr. Portland
one of them."
o
A memorial service for A nn SHEPHERD will start
? Leather 1993, who was determined to bequeath
II a m. Jan. 25 at First Presbyterian Church,
to the community a perpetual gift honoring the
1200 S.W. Alder St. The Revs. Dudley Weaver ;
couple who had so deeply inspired him as a
young gay activist.
Susan Leo of Bridgeport United Church of Christ;
“What Bill and Ann have done in founding
Dick Berg of the Macdonald Center and
{PFLAG1 deserves ongoing recognition,” he
University of Portland; and Troy D. Perry,
said. “They have been a role model of parental founder of the Universal Fellowship of
love and support to their lesbian daughters and
Metropolitan Community Churches, will officiate.
to all their thousands of ‘adopted’ gay and les­ A reception will follow.
Remembrances can be sent to the BILL AND A nn
bian kids over the years. They exemplify what
S hepherd L egal S cholarship F und of
‘family values’ should be about!"
E quity F oundation , P.O. Box 5696,
Gay Portland attorney Joel Corcoran, who
received a Shepherd scholarship in 1998, has Portland, OR 97228-5696. Premier jazz
fond memories of Ann: “She was equal parts musician Skip Elliott Bowman will perform during
Ann Shepherd made one of her last public
Mae West and Mary Poppins. She started hold- A Class Act, a concert and decadent dessert
appearances O ct. 26 at Coronation 20 0 2
ing PFLAG meetings before disco crossed the revue benefiting the fund, April 25 at Portland’s