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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 2, 1978)
Page 12 Portland Observer Thursday. November 2, 1978 HUGHES M EMORIAL UNITED M ETHODIST CHURCH Behind the wall Larry Baker »35021 O.S.P. Correspondent A few weeks ago ‘ ‘ Behind the W all” had the privilege to interview and publish, “ The Nedra Bagley Story.” A story about an extraordinary woman wanting to pursue her dream to become one o f the most effective and dedicated counselors in the field o f state corrections. alike. The inmates screamed, “ in vasion o f privacy,” while the male guards felt threatened that certain “ gravy tra in ” positions m ight become filled by women. But both women were placed on jobs that required them to do the same type o f work as their male counterparts. Walking the “ big yard,” supervising the mess hall, opening and slamming iron gates . . even frisking male in mates. On September 26, 1978 Nedra Bagley's efforts to gain the experience o f working among the people she someday wanted to counsel came to an abrupt end. She found herself being hit with a ‘ temporary court in ju n c tio n ’ filed in M arion C ircu it Court by three inmates. She and M urphy once again found them selves back in the gun towers where they had spent so many months prior. But during those three weeks inside the walls o f the largest state male prison Nedra Bagley had done something that only a few guards come close to achieving and some never. Gaining the respect o f some o f the inmates, many who knew what the real meaning o f discrimination was — having encountered it in their own lives. All o f a sudden the issue came forth as ‘ D is c rim in a tio n vs. privacy rights.’ It was not until October 25, 1978 that Nedra Bagley received her day in court, only to find many o f the in mates stepping forw ard to defend her position. Edward Mueller, vice president o f the prison Jaycees, said he is not per sonally offended by being searched by a woman. “ The person is a guard, authority has no sex to it , ” he said. “ 1 feel they (the women) should have Nedra Bagley feels in order to achieve such a goal she would have to know as much as possible about the in d iv id u a ls ’ life who may someday turn to her for professional advice; how to live once again within society as a productive citizen instead o f wasting their lives away in cells, like animals. To gain such valuable knowledge and experience Nedra Bagley worked hard to graduate in ‘ ‘ Administration o f Justice,” at P ortland State University. After obtaining a degree Nedra volunteered her services with M ultnom ah C ounty Parole and Probation until she was employed by the State o f Oregon at a ‘ woman’s work release’ center in Portland. It was not long after that Nedra ap plied and was accepted to become the fourth woman to be employed as a correctional o ffic e r (guard) at O.S.P After working six months in a guard tower, Nedra felt it was time to gain the most valuable experience o f her whole career, working among the clients she someday hopes to counsel. On September 1, 1978 Nedra Bagley and Brillante Murphy became the first two women correctional o f ficers to be permitted to work inside the walls o f O.S.P. Almost from the very first day a rage o f individual complaints were verbally expressed by some o f the inmates, and guards just as much right to work in the in stitution as anybody else.” "M y own feeling is that it ’s much nicer when women guards are around. Most women smile a lot more than male guards,” said John Stephens, who was transferred to the penitentiary fro m C a lifo rn ia last Muy. Stephens said he has served time in several California prisons — which have female correctional o fficers frisk male prisoners — there was no hostility there toward women. Harry P. Henderson, another in mate, said he couldn’ t understand why the inmates brought the lawsuit. “ I committed a crime. I ’m inside the institution, and 1 have to abide by the rules while I'm here,” Henderson said. David J. Sterling, one o f the three inmates who filed the lawsuit, did not file the suit to remove the women officers from w orking among the prisoners, but only to prevent them from ‘ body search’ and ‘access to showers and cell blocks’ where the inmates privacy is viewed. Superintendent H .C . Cupp and Corrections Division Adm inistrator Robert Watson both disagree with Sterling's position about security. Minimizing the number o f frisks perform ed by the female guards “ would be an unfair burden on the male guards,” said Cupp. There are fifteen women (six at the penitentiary and nine at the correc tional in stitu tio n ) among the 203 correctional officers, said Cupp. Judge Richard Barber, M arion County Circuit Court has to rule on this important issue. But the issue has now gone far beyond these tall cement walls and the politicians speak. were broacast from the Golden Rule Restaurant, where M um ford served as announcer and H a rris was executive director and coordinator o f the Gospel Train format. The Soul Seekers, a spiritual vocal group in P o rtla n d , jo in e d M u m fo rd on the program during the first year. Faced w ith financial difficulties many times d u rin g the years o f broadcasting, M um ford and Harris were dedicated to the program and determined to continue bringing it to the com m unity, even when funds were from their personal accounts. A t one tim e the program was discontinued due to a lack o f fund ing, but because it was considered “ a unique and valuable asset to the radio station, a S i,200 balance was written o ff by producers at KGAR. Since then the Gospel Train has been aired every Sunday morning, ST. ANDREWS CATHOLIC CHURCH *06 N.E. Albert* Street Reverend Bertram Griffin. Pastor 2*1-4 4» Masses; 5:00 p.m \ igil - Saturday 10:00 a.m. Choir - Sunday 12:00 p.m. Folk - Sunday ST. ANDREW C O M M U N ITY SCHOOL 491» N.E. 9th Ave. Nor its Kelly . Principal Phone: 2*4-1620 tirades I through * . . . U N IO N OR C O M P A N Y DENTAL INSURANCE is a valuable asset . . . live, without missing a radio date in the past fourteen years. “ Through the Lord's blessings” notes Mum ford, "w e have been able to bring this Gospel message to the com m unity every week. We are reaching out to help our friends and neighbors find the Lord in their hearts and keep the Lord in their lives.” Mumford has been a member o f Allen Temple CME for the past 27 years. He currently is serving as Ex tension Agent fo r the Urban 4-H program, Oregon State University, where he is involved in meeting the needs o f young people and adults through the com m unity 4-H organization. M um ford is a man o f positive thought and direction. He has iden tified his goals and purposes in life according to his special gifts. His ability to spearhead programs aimed at bettering the lives o f people o f Portland has become a legend. Paraphrasing a favorite poem o f Ira M um ford’s: " I never spoke with God, nor visited in heaven, but cer tain am I o f the spot as if a chart were given.” W illard Harris came to Portland in 1960, securing work as an interior decorator and contractor. He has been a member of New Hope Baptist Church o f Portland fo r the past eighteen years, where he served on the board o f trustees and sang with the church choir. The combination of Mumford and H arris w ill continue to bring the Gospel Train to the community, via station KG AR , Vancouver, every Sunday morning from 7:00 to 8:30 a.m., bringing Portland the "best in Gospel listening.” y o u r h e a lt h AUSTIN V RAY MINISTIR 111 N.E. FAILING Julius D Snowden »3(1013 Poetry Editor Citizens honor 'Gospel Train’ founders Fourteen years ago this month, November 12, 1964, two action mind ed citizens o f the Albina community o f Portland struck an agreement to demonstrate their faith in God. Ira D. M u m fo rd and W illia rd Harris established a Sunday morning radio program. The Gospel Train, bringing the word o f God to hun dreds o f people, among them those physically unable to attend church services. This year, November 12th, the 14th anniversary o f the Gospel Train w ill be celebrated at a special program and tribute to the founders o f the program. Distinguished guests and city officials w ill gather in the King School auditorium at 3:00 p.m. The public is invited to participate and further inform ation can be ob tained by calling 285-5575. The first Gospel Train programs •IV Candidate fo r State Represen tative, District #18, (Democrat) Jane Cease, supports the women officers being trained to work inside state prisons as officers and believes they should not be discriminated against. State Representative Gretchen K afoury (Dem ocrat), D istrict #13 supports the idea 100 percent. “ Where else is a woman going to gain the ex perience to become a good correc tio n a l counselor among male prisoners? Out o f a book?” Margaret (Peg) Dereli, Represen tative, District #32: “ I f women work in prison positions as correctional officers, they are not to be locked up in guard towers.” And so the continuing episode in the Nedra Bagley story continues as a few people like Professor Gary Pealstein, Administration o f Justice, P ortland State U n iv e rs ity , and Gladys McCoy, candidate for M ult nomah C ounty C om m issioner, praised Nedra’ s work in college and in the community, wait and watch her career come under attack. But then there are inmates who are not afraid to speak out in support o f Nedra Bagley, such as our ‘ Behind the W a ll’ Poetry E d ito r, Julius Snowden: “ Twice while attending Jaycee meetings I had the oppor tunity to speak with Officer Bagley, 1 questioned her on why she chose this type o f work — corrections — as a profession. Her response assured, not only myself, but others that her reasons were selfish, but only the point that she desires to help people, specially those unable to understand that they do need help. 1 wish Officer Bagley all the luck and support she has coming. I further believe that these women w ill undoubtedly add a much overdue new dimension to an otherwise dark and ugly situation.” Nedra Bagley is not alone in her struggle to someday become one o f the most effective and dedicated counselors that the Oregon State C orrections ever had. But then again, discrim ination comes in all forms, shapes, sizes and colors, even between men and women 'behind the wall’ o f a state penitentiary. Dial A-Prayor 28441684 Church School 9:45 a.m. Morahip 11:0» a.m Office 2*1 2332 Srttctalwni In Individual • Marriott and Family • Group Ttwropy “The Church Where Na Stranger Eeel* Strange" ALLEN TEMPLE CME CHURCH Corner of Hth and Skidmore Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 11:0» a.m Christian Youth Fellowship 64W p.m. (Second and Fourth Sundaysl Reverend Thomas !.. Si ray hand. Minisler New Hope Missionary Baptist Church R EVER END A BERNARD DEVERS. PASTOR T H E CHURCH DESIGNED TO M EET YOUR NEED Sunday School 9 - R » .» Morning Worsh.p to i» ,.'.. Evening Sendee 2nd. 4th and 5th Sunday. 7:00 p.m Communion iat Sunday 5:00 p.m Wed - f amily Prayer Meeting and Bible Study 7:30 p m Friday • Brotherhood f ellowship Service with Morning Star 3rd Sunday 7:00 p.m Prnver and Paator Phone: 2*14M76 Church Phone: 2*1 0163 3 7 2 5 N. Gantanbaln Avenue, Portland, You are Welcome to Worship at T H E ARK OF S A F E T Y CHURCH OF GOD P EN TEC O STA L, INC. “A warm spirit of fellowship alwavs" The Honorable Bishop I .V. Peterson. D.D. “The Holmes. Preacher Pastor Tuesday: Sunday: Sunday School 9:15 a n Bible Rand/Jr. Church Medneaday: Morning M orahip 11:15 a n Choir Rehearaal “Shower* of Rleaamga Hroadcaat” Friday: KG AR 1550 11:30 am-l2:3fl pm YPRC 6:30 pm “The Paator Speak*“ Evangeliatic W orahip 8:00 pm 84 NE Killings worth I ueaday-Friday Noon Day Prayer 2814*499 EXODUS Q & cvdst& iiri d u r a J u tu i/a r u / rftea /m esi/ ^eet2ee 1518 N E KILLINGSWORTH PORTLAND. OREGON 9 7 2 1 1 28 4 7997 FACTS OF IMPORTANCE VOLUM E VI N O V E M B E R 1978 SERIES In keeping with Exodus Community Service Policy, Exodus w ill host a Symposium on Alcohol and Substance Abuse Problems. Exodus will do this in coordination with other agencies providing similar services. The General Public is invited. The Symposium will be held at: and a p p e a ra n c e ( DMPI.ETF <'((OPERATION ON Al.l. I»ESI M .IS s l K A M ’ECI.A IM S M t II YNDI.E SI I l i l t l i t I Ali s t it ( ‘OMPI.F li s t . YOt R l I.AIM FORMS NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED Come in at your convenience PARK FREE-Any Park n Shop Lot HOURS- " ^ k d a v . *:3U*.m to 5 p.m Saturday 8:30 a .n to I p.m. Dr. Jeffrey BRADY, Dentist S M IR IlA Y A M H IL L S I.. H I I K I I . W I l OREGON I AKE EI.EA A'lOR TO 2N D FLOOR IRK S'l FN IR A N I F. EXODUS DAY TREATMENT She’s pregnant. She’s deserted. She needs help. She should call 221-0598 Birthright free co n fid e n tia l co u n selin g for pregnant g irls Mayer B u ild in g at I1 3 0 S W MSrrison 1223 N.E. Alberta Portland, Oregon 284-1247 The meeting will be from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, 1978 while there is no charge for the general meeting, a small donation for lunch will be appreciated. 7:30 pm 7:00 pm 7:30 pm
