Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 2003)
15.2003 inda Traeger is warm and composed, such that spending time with her makes you feel as though everything is right with the world. No wonder, then, that she was just appointed as i New executive director wants to increase executive director of Equity Foundation, an i Equity Foundation's visibility in promoting tolerance by j . b . Rabin organization that supports the sexual minorities community hy funding programs that promote I diversity and tolerance; it would seem that her is so much more to he done. It’s a new joh is to make sure everything is right with constant struggle to maintain the world. those rights, to keep them from Traeger comes to Equity from a position eroding." as program developer and manager at G ood This is exactly what Traeger will Industries o f the Colum bia W illam ette, plans to do in her new post, and where, among many tasks, she headed the she has very specific ideas about expansion of a vehicle donation program. how to do it. “I do think it’s She attributes her passion for activism to important to market what Equity growing up in th e segregated town o f Foundation is doing more effec Om aha, Neh. tively. There are people in (the sexual minorities) community “I always had a feeling that racial segrega tion was wrong. All the activism of the ’60s was who don’t know about it, and other people wanting to support happening when 1 was a teen-ager,” she remembers. diversity and justice who would Traeger came out as a lesbian in her late 20s want to support it. To accomplish that, 1 know 1 need to have con after a brief marriage. “1 did a good job of repressing who 1 was and what 1 really felt in tact with people in the communi ty who have (similar) concerns,” the early years,” she says. Soon thereafter she met her partner of 26 she says of her desire to increase Equity’s visibility with groups years, whom she is still with today. Their inter racial relationship has further cemented across Oregon concerned with Traeger’s commitment to cultivating accep the negative effect of ignorance and fear. tance: “It’s allowed me to see the harmful effect Linda Traeger was drawn to Equity Foundation because of discrimination on a very personal level and Traeger also believes that it supports education and awareness while combating in general.” what Equity is doing should not ignorance and fear O f the time that has passed since she met be limited to Oregon. "O ne of her partner, Traeger notes: “T h e world has my hopes for Equity Foundation is 1 would She adds that another goal of hers is “to sig changed so much: W e’re more represented in like to see the things going on here highlight nificantly expand the funds annually allocated government institutions, we’re able to adopt, ed and replicated in other parts of the coun to grantees.” This is no small task, as Equity get m arried...there are small gains, but there try,” she says. boasts an impressive $234,000 granted to more than 200 nonprofits in 2002 and a total of $1.5 million granted since its inception in 1989. W ith a r£sum£ that reads like a who’s who o f nonprofits, Traeger seems to be the perfect person to carry out Equity’s mission. “I’m really feeling like I’m in the right place. It’s a job that allows me to draw from all my past experiences from all my past jobs,” she says. Prior to her position at Goodwill, Traeger served as vice president of Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights in Chicago, where she headed up housing and service pro grams for people with HIV/A1DS and provided case management and emergency assistance for people who were homeless or at risk. Also to her credit, she was a co-founder of the Lavender Fund, which established an endowment fund for queer programs; a hoard member of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago; and a member of the Illi nois Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Traeger was attracted to Equity because of the breadth of causes it supports. “I like Equity Foundation because it provides an opportunity to fund education and awareness, but also allows funding for things that are more celebra tory... to acknowledge our experience as human beings,” she says. Sitting at her desk in an office filled with light and a beautiful view of the city, Traeger reflects on how lucky she is to he doing what she’s doing. “Normally when you work, you don’t have time to get involved in issues that are important to you. Now, it’s my job.” JT1 A C onstant S truggle L 15 For more information about EQUITY F o u n d a t io n call 503-231-5759 or visit www. equityfourulation. org. J.B. R a b in is a Portland free-lance writer. International Beauty School Mention this ad and get a 10% discount. “SAM E DAY SE R V IC E ON M O S T R EP A IR S” Repairs of A ll Makes & Models V .f it Am erican • European • Imports Cars • Trucks • RVs We Fix It Right the First Time From Oil C hanges to Overhaul, Fred's Auto Works Does It All Close to Downtown • Free Local Rides All Makes & Models Com petency Based School N o M in im u m H o u rs Required Hair Design Nail Technology Facial Technology Some Classes Begin Weekly Modern Salon Atmosphere State of the Art Equipment Quality Education at a Reasonable Price Stop by anytime for service to sample the quality of our students and get more information on the program "Frod's Auto Works... Why Doesn't Yours?" Salon Services Tuesday-Saturday llam-6pm Hair Cuts w«i thru kh FREE Perms starting at $ 2 5 . 0 0 Hair Color starting at $ 2 0 . 0 0 Manicures Pedicures $6.00 926 S E Morrison, Portland • http://Mndgautomottvs.uswestdex.coni $ 10.00 $ 1 5 .0 0 starting at $ 5 . 0 0 Summer is simply the best time to put your home on the market. Call the best realtors for the job. Celia & Terri for Power Team! Buyer—let's get out there & find you a home...Ca!l us now! Please visit our school for the complete menu of service • Payment Plans Available es lisft $ 1 5 .0 0 Artificial Nails Facial Waxing Services Include: • Maintenance • D E Q • Tune-ups - Poor Engine Performance • Brakes • Clutch • All Electrical Problems • Carburetors A Fuel Infection • Pre Purchase Inspection • Alternators & Starters (Repaired. Rebuilt or Exchanged) www.intern-beautyschool.com ___ e 2215 SE Division Street - Portland, Oregon (a stop on the #4 bus line) 503 236-5600 - CELIA LYON TERRI POPEJOY (503) 2604231 (503) 330-0400 Bella Casa Realty Inc. 1523 SE Ankeny, Portland, OR 9 7 2 1 4 • 5 0 3 -2 3 1 -SELL (7 3 5 5 ) &
