By Jen Weaver-Neist

When I learned recently that Portland’s In Other Words bookstore is experiencing dire financial troubles, I wanted to go straight to the source to find out all that I could about its circumstances. As the president of WiPP (Women in Portland Publishing), I’ve had positive contact with the store as a drop point for our annual summer book drive, and the store has also served as a meeting place for some events that I’ve attended. Though I’ve always known that my experiences just scratch the surface of what In Other Words does, I am even more impressed by what I learned from Johanna Brenner for this interview. I can’t stress strongly enough how tragic it would be to see yet another indie bookstore close its doors—especially one that does all that you’re about to read—and I hope every reader out there considers the ways in which we can join together to rescue this valuable community resource.

Please tell us of your recent troubles. What is the exact status of your situation as it stands today?
Like other independent bookstores, over the past several years, we have struggled to keep our head above water, facing competition from internet bookstores and the big chains. Many feminist bookstores around the country have closed. In recent years, we have increased our fundraising, and our wonderful community of supporters has helped us survive. We have a sustainer program, Every Woman Strong [to which] individuals can contribute yearly or monthly.

Last year we were fortunate to receive a $15,000 grant; however, this was nonrenewable. Our fundraising continues to build but not rapidly enough to compensate for the loss of that grant and the economic downturn that has further reduced our sales income. To keep books in stock and gear up for the holidays, we received a short-term, $11,000 loan that must be paid back in January. Using contributions to pay back the loan, we will then be able to use sales from the holidays to pay rent and salaries, and keep our doors open.  Once we get through this immediate crisis, we will need to continue our fundraising push. Our long-term goal is to become sustainable by the end of our fiscal year, June 30.

How long has In Other Words been in business, and what/who inspired its founding?
We were founded in October 1993 by three women who mourned the loss of Portland’s original feminist bookstore (A Woman’s Place), [which was] established in the early 1970s but closed in 1989.  They felt that something important for the community had been lost, so they organized in the community to re-establish a feminist bookstore. In Other Words was founded as a nonprofit organization in recognition that we would not rely only on sales—because we did not want the bookstore to be primarily market-driven but to be a resource and educational center. We carry books that are crucial to different communities, whether or not they are best sellers.

To open In Other Words, we raised over $60,000 from people in the community who provided no-interest or very low-interest five-year loans. Many of those were paid back [and] some of the loans were converted into gifts by generous supporters. A committee of over 40 individuals came together to choose the books that originally stocked the store. In Other Words has always been a community-based project—one of the main reasons we have survived when other bookstores closed their doors. Now we need our community more than ever.

Through the years of your business, what would you consider your most important work—your greatest contribution to the community?
Our greatest contribution has been to provide a space for dialogue, education, personal discovery, and grassroots organizing. In Other Words is a hub of activities where diverse groups and individuals can find their voice, their power, and their home. In Other Words promotes feminist movement and the many different feminisms that inspire activism for social change.

Feminist ideas and actions don’t come out of the air. They emerge when people find each other, come into dialogue, build trust and social networks. In Other Words provides the structure, the materials, the space, the support for this process.

What would be the most immediate negative impact of your closure? What would be the long-term effect?
The most immediate impact would be that the thousand or so people who come to In Other Words every month to attend events would no longer have access to free, inspiring, cultural, and educational experiences. And the artists and writers who perform their music, show their art, and read their poetry would be less heard and seen. The long-term effect would be a loss of connection and community, and the further marginalization of feminist ideas and voices.

Is the answer to your survival purely financial? Is there anything else that we can do to help? The answer to our survival is building our community, so you can help by getting the word out to your friends about In Other Words, by participating in events, and by volunteering. You can shop at In Other Words when you want a gift for someone special; in addition to books, we have a wonderful selection of crafts by local women artists.

Where can contributions be sent? Are they tax deductible, and do you accept credit cards and checks?
Contributions are tax-deductible. You can send a contribution to In Other Words at 8 NE Killingsworth, Portland OR  97211. Better yet, you can contribute from your checking account or credit card at our web site: inotherwords.org. Consider becoming a monthly sustainer—deduct $8.33 from your account every month and we’ll receive $100 a year. How easy is that!

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
In Other Words is a volunteer driven organization—over 50 people build and sustain the store and community space. In addition to our many cultural and educational events, we are the first place that many young women discover feminist ideas and the fun of connecting to feminist community. We provide a safe space for women of all body sizes to do yoga and aerobics classes free of charge. We believe in a diversity of feminist perspectives and strive to be an inclusive organization.

Copyright © 2008 Jen Weaver-Neist