Genny Nelson papers, 1952-2020

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Nelson, Genevieve
Title
Genny Nelson papers
Dates
1952-2020 (inclusive)
1972-2020 (bulk)
Quantity
8.5 cubic feet, (6 record cartons; 2 flat boxes (13x16); 1 flat box (20x24))
Collection Number
Coll 906
Summary
Papers of Genevieve "Genny" Nelson (1952-2020), including records relating to Sisters of the Road Café. Nelson was a co-founder of Sisters of the Road Café, and an advocate for people experiencing homelessness.
Repository
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Genevieve "Genny" Nelson was born in 1952 in Lewiston, Idaho, and studied at St. Mary's Academy and then Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. In the 1970s, Nelson and her friend Sandy Gooch ran a women's center named Boxcar Bertha's in Portland. When the federal grant that funded Boxcar Bertha's ran out, Nelson and Gooch, wanting to establish an alternative to the soup kitchens and missions that they felt to be paternalistic and impersonal, founded Sisters of the Road Café in 1979. The café provided a meal and a drink to unhoused people for $1.25, a price that did not change with inflation. Customers could also pay with food stamps, meal cards, and barter cards, or earn the meal by working at the café for 15 minutes. In 1987, Nelson successfully lobbied the U.S. Congress to pass a law allowing unhoused people to use food stamps to pay for prepared meals in nonprofit dining facilities. Sisters of the Road Café was also committed to the principles of nonviolence and the concept of "gentle personalism" rooted in the Catholic Workers movement.

Nelson retired from Sisters of the Road Café in 2009. She died in August 2020.

Sources: Articles in the Oregonian, December 11, 2009 and August 28, 2020.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of the papers of Genevieve "Genny" Nelson, co-founder of the non-profit Sisters of the Road Café. The bulk of the collection is Nelson's personal files. These are a mixture of Nelson's personal papers, including her day planners, journals, and correspondence, as well as records relating to her work and advocacy, particularly her work as executive director of Sisters of the Road Café. Unless otherwise noted, these files are in the original order that they were in at the time of donation to the Oregon Historical Society Research Library, which is largely (though not entirely) chronological.

The collection also includes a substantial amount of Sisters of the Road Café records, including records relating to "Voices from the Street: Truths about Homelessness from Sisters of the Road," a book of interviews with unhoused people that Sisters of the Road produced and that Jessica P. Morrell edited. Other materials in the collection include: Materials relating to Nelson's other work and advocacy, including published materials about homelessness that she compiled; articles, books, certificates, and awards relating to recognition for Nelson's work; and personal ephemera, photographs, and writings, including a draft for a memoir.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Genny Nelson papers, Coll 906, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Restrictions on Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Collection is arranged in five series: Series 1. Files; Series 2. Sisters of the Road Café records; Series 3. Other work and advocacy, and publications about homelessness; Series 4. Recognition; Series 5. Personal ephemera, photographs, and writings.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Alodie Didier, August 2022 (RL2022-130).

Preservation Note

Digital files, audiocassettes, and VHS videocassettes require specialized equipment to access. Contact library staff for assistance.

Processing Note

Unless otherwise noted, materials in Series 1. Files were kept in original order. All original file folders in the collection were retained. In cases where the original label of the file folder requires further clarification, the updated title is written on the folder's front flap.

Original plaques and awards were discarded for preservation reasons; photocopies or photographs of them were retained for the collection. Titles for videos in the collection were transcribed from labels on the media, and contents have not been verified by library staff.

Related Materials

Other materials relating to Sisters of the Road Café at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library are in the vertical file Portland - Charities - Sisters of the Road Cafe.

Separated Materials

Plaque awarded to Nelson by the Skanner newspaper and button for Sisters of the Road Café's 40th anniversary were separated to Museum Collections, Oregon Historical Society.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series 1:  Files, 1972-2020Return to Top

Unless otherwise noted, materials in this series are in original order.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1
Book of writings
1973-1977
1 2
Files
1972
1 3
Notecard and diary
1973
1 4-7
Files
1975-1978
1 8
Articles
1979
1 9
Writings
1979
1 10
Journal
1979
1 11
Letters and address books
1979
1 12
Day planner
1979
1 13
Journals
1980
1 14
Day planner
1980
1 15
Articles
1980
1 16
Photographs
1980
1 17
Grants
1980
1 18
Letters
1980
1 19
Writings
1980
1 20
Articles
1981
1 21
Grants
1981
1 22
Day planner
1981
1 23
Photographs
1981
1 24
Journals
1981
1 25
Letters
1981
1 26
Writings
1981
1 27
Day planner
1982
1 28
Journals
1982
1 29
Writings
1982
1 30
Articles
1982
1 31
Photographs
1982
1 32
Grants
1982
1 33
Day planner
1983
1 34
Journal
1983
1 35
Writings
1983
1 36
Letters
1983
1 37
Articles
1983
1 38
Grants
1983
1 39
Day planner
1984
1 40
Writings
1984
1 41
Letters; artwork gifted to Nelson
1984
1 42
Journal
1984
1 43
Articles
1984
1 44
Events
1984
2 1
Day planner
1985
2 2
Journal
1985
2 3
Letters
1985
2 4
Articles
1985
2 5
Grants
1985
2 6
Budgets
1985
2 7
Day planner
1986
2 8
Journal
1986
2 9
Writings
1986
2 10
Grants
1986
2 11
Articles
1986
2 12
Day planner
1987
2 13
Writings
circa 1976-1985
2 14
Journal
1987
2 15
Writings
1987
2 16
Budgets
1987
2 17
Day planner
1988
2 18
Journal
1988
2 19
Writings
1988
2 20
Budgets
1988
2 21
Letters
1989
2 22
Journal
1989
2 23
Writings
1989
2 24
Photographs
1989
2 25
Letters
1990
2 26
Writings
1990
2 27
Grants
1990
2 28
Day planner
1990
2 29
Journal
1990
2 30
Events
1990
2 31
Day planner
1991
2 32
Letters
1991
2 33
Journal
1991
2 34
Writings
1991
2 35
Grants
1991
2 36
Budgets
1991
2 37
Events
1991
2 38
Day planner
1992
2 39
Journal
1992
2 40
Writings
1992
2 41
Day planner
1993
2 42
Journal
1993
2 43
Writings
1993
2 44
Letters
1993
2 45
Articles
1993
2 46
Manual, "Dining with Dignity: A Manual for Non-Profit Cafes" (unbound copy)
1994
3 1
Day planner
1994
3 2
Articles
1994
3 3
Journal
1994
3 4
Writings
1994
3 5
Photographs
1995
3 6
Journal
1995
3 7
Writings
1996
3 8
Journal
1996
3 9
Writings
1996
3 10
Day planner
1997
3 11
Journal
1997
3 12
Writings
1997
3 13
Articles
1997
3 14
Events
1997
3 15
Journal
1998
3 16
Writings
1998
3 17
Articles
1998
3 18
Events (includes audiocassette)
1998
3 19
Journal
1999
3 20
Writings
1999
3 21
Letters
1999
3 22
Articles (includes audiocassette)
1999
3 23
Day planner
2000
3 24
Journal
2000
3 25
Writings
2000
3 26
Letters
2000
3 27
Journal
2001
3 28
Writings
2001
3 29
Writings
2002
3 30
Journal
2002
3 31
Journal
2003
3 32
Writings
2003
3 33
Articles
2003
3 34
Training documents
2004
3 35
Journal
2004
3 36
Files
2004
3 37
Day planner
2004
3 38
Journal
2005
3 39
Sisters of the Road Café welcome packet
2005
3 40
Remarks for Caring Institute awards ceremony
2005
3 41
Articles
2005
3 42
Files
2006
3 43
Journal
2006
3 44
Journal
2007
3 45
Events relating to "Voices from the Street"
2007
3 46
Articles
2007
3 47
Letters
2007
3 48
Writings (labeled as "I Was on 'Tally's Corner'"
circa 1985-2003
4 1
Day planner
2008
4 2
Journal
2008
4 3
Newsletters
1983-1984
4 4
Writings
2008
4 5
Day planner
2009
4 6
Journal
2009
4 7
Articles
2009
4 8
Events
2009
4 9
Writings
2009
4 10
Letters
2009
4 11
Grants
2009
4 12
Events
2010
4 13
Photographs
circa 1980-1990
4 14
Correspondence
1973-1974
4 15
Letters on tax resistance
1981
4 16
Letters
2015
4 17
Writings
1972-2015
4 18-19
Sisters of the Road philosophy
circa 1999-2009
4 20
Digital backup of files, including memoir chapters (on 1 CD; not part of original order)
circa 1999-2007
4 21
Book of writings (not part of original order)
2003-2006
4 22
Journal (not part of original order)
2015; 2020
4 23
Day planner (not part of original order)
2020
4 24
Online journal and correspondence, with entries by friends and Sisters of the Road staff following Nelson's death (not part of original order)
2020

Series 2:  Sisters of the Road Café records, circa 1979-2009Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Subseries 1: General records and memorabilia
1979-2009
Box Folder
4 25
Notes from meetings and retreats
1992-1993
4 26
Microenterprise study
circa 1995
6 31
Volunteer orientation video
1 videocassettes_vhs
1993
4 27
Manual, "Dining with Dignity: A Manual for Non-Profit Cafes" (bound copy)
1994
4 28
Digital records (on 2 CDs)
1995-2000
4 29
Board of directors meeting report
2003 March 8
4 30-33
crossroads Leadership Operating Team (cLOT) records
2005-2007
5 1
Documents about use of non-violence and gentle personalism
2006-2007
5 2
Nelson's personal workplan for 2007-2008
2007
5 3
Christmas card from Gary Newhall
1995
5 4
Flyer
undated
5 5
Cards, artwork, and writings made for Sisters of the Road Café by customer Sworge D. Shucks
1984-1985; undated
5 6
Artwork of railroad car made for Sisters of the Road Café
undated
5 7
Anthology of poems by Jim Hill gifted to Sisters of the Road Café, "We Are Portland Too!"
circa 1985
7 1
Guestbook
1996-1999
5 8
Newspaper issues with articles about Sisters of the Road Café
1979-1982
7 2
Oregonian insert with story about Sisters of the Road Café
2009 June 25
9 1
Painted poster
circa 1980
9 2
Artwork for café, "I Am Poor"
circa 1980
9 3
Charcoal artwork for café
circa 1990
9 4
Benefit concert posters
1984-2011
5 9
Photographs
circa 1979-1985
5 10
Photographs of management retreat on the Oregon coast
1982
5 11-13
Photographs
circa 1985-2005
5 14
Group photographs of staff, including Nelson
circa 1985-1995
5 15
Photographs of Nelson at unidentified Sisters of the Road Café event
circa 1995
5 16
Photographs of unidentified Sisters of the Road march, possibly Martin Luther King Day march
circa 2000
6 34
Video of Martin Luther King Day march
1 videocassettes_hi8
undated
5 17
Digital photographs of crossroads Leadership Operating Team (cLOT) meetings (on 1 CD)
2002-2003
8
Scrapbook of photographs, letters, writings, and artwork for Sisters of the Road Café's 30th anniversary
circa 1998-2009
Folder
6 32
Videos, both titled "The Invisible Community: A Story about Sisters of the Road Café"
2 videocassettes_vhs
1994; 1997
6 33
Video, "Pursuit of Happiness"
1 videocassettes_vhs
undated
Subseries 2: "Voices from the Street" records
2005-2007
Box Folder
5 18
Proposal guidelines
2005
5 19
Proposal contents
2005
5 20
Digital files about proposal (on 1 CD)
2005
5 21
Biographical notes about Nelson and Jessica P. Morrell for publisher
2005
5 22
Bookstores and contacts
2005
5 23
Chapter summaries
2005
5 24
Notes about how "Voices" compares to other books about homelessness (labeled "Competition")
2005
5 25
Contracts
2005-2006
5 26
Correspondence
2005-2006
5 27
Correspondence about edits
2006-2007
5 28
Correspondence
2007
5 29
Ideas and resources
2005
5 30
Research on market potential
2005
5 31
Meetings
2005-2006
5 32
Meetings (research)
2006-2007
5 33
Notes about pseudonyms used for interviewees
circa 2006
5 34
Overview
circa 2005
5 35
Photo release forms
2005
5 36
Promotional strategies
2005
5 37
Publicity flyer
circa 2007
5 38
Correspondence and records about publisher
2006
5 39
Readers' comments
2007
5 40
Graph (labeled "Sidebars")
circa 2006
5 41-42
Timeline records
2006-2007
5 43
Transcripts of interviews conducted for the book (physical copies and digital copies on 2 CDs; interviewees not identified)
2006
5 44
Website
2005
5 45
University of Washington articles
2006
5 46
Copy of book, with inscription from Nelson to her father, and Nelson's notes
2007

Series 3:  Other work and advocacy, and publications about homelessness, 1973-2009Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
5 47
Anti-nuclear activism
1978
5 48
Boxcar Bertha's records
1979; undated
5 49-50
Burnside Projects, Inc. records
1973
5 51
Emmaus on the Avenue records
1976
5 52
Expanding Your Horizons conference
1995 March
5 53
National Association of Social Workers, Oregon Chapter materials
1993
5 54
Northwest Pilot Project records
circa 1984
5 55
Invitation to be on the board for Street Roots
circa 2005
5 56
Newspaper editorials by Nelson
2003; 2009
7 3
Editorial in the Oregonian by Nelson
2009 August 9
5 57
Photo book about Dignity Village
circa 2005
6 1
Book, "Burnside: A Community: A Photographic History of Portland's Skid Row," by Kathleen Ryan and Mark Beach
1979
6 2
Anthology, "21st Century Street Stories: A collection of interviews and poems from the homeless and their friends"
2003
6 3
Western Regional Advocacy Project publication, "Without Housing: Decades of Federal Housing Cutbacks, Massive Homelessness, and Policy Failures"
2007

Series 4:  Recognition, 1990-2020Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
6 4
Articles about Nelson
1991-2017
9 5
Newspaper issues with stories about Nelson
2009-2010
6 5
Correspondence, certificates, and programs about awards
1990-2013
9 6
Awards
1991-2013
6 6
Correspondence, clippings, speech, notes, and ephemera relating to Caring Institute award
2005
6 7
Packet for Caring Institute awards ceremony
2005
6 8
Issue of "Caring" magazine with article about Nelson
2005 December
6 9
Photographs of Nelson with Alfredo J. Molina at Caring Institute awards
2005
6 10
Photograph of Nelson with Bob Dole, likely at Caring Institute awards
circa 2005
6 35
Untitled videos relating to Caring Institute award
2 videocassettes_vhs
2005
6 11
Correspondence about award from St. Mary's Academy
2002-2003
6 12
Certificates
1992-2010
6 13
Comics for Change issue about Nelson
circa 2006
6 14
Plaques and awards (photographed and/or photocopied)
1993-2002; undated
9 7
Honorary doctorate from University of Portland and related materials
2010
6 15
Summary of Nelson's career
circa 2010
6 16
Book with passages about Nelson, "Soul at Work: Spiritual Leadership in Organizations," by Margaret Benefiel, with inscription to Nelson
2005
6 17
Book with passages about Nelson, "The Soul of a Leader: Finding Your Path to Success and Fulfillment," by Margaret Benefiel
2008
6 18
Book with chapter about Nelson, "On Purpose: Stories from the Lives of Oregon Nonprofit Leaders," by David Dickson, with inscription to Nelson
2020
6 19
Obituaries
2020
6 20
Memorial service program and cards
2020
6 21
Passage about Nelson from "Moments in the Breach," by Gary Smith
2020

Series 5:  Personal ephemera, photographs, and writings, 1952-2002Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
6 22
Baptism certificate
1952 March 6
6 23
Diploma from St. Mary's Academy
1970 June
7 4
Photo album of unidentified event that included Nelson
circa 1975
6 24
Story, "Call Me by My Name"
undated
6 25
Notes about immigration officer
1979
6 26
"Let Me Explain This"
2002
6 27
"Linda's Story #1"
undated
6 28
Memoir drafts
2002
6 29
Unsorted writings
2002; undated
6 30
Portrait
circa 2000
7 5
Book with inscriptions to Nelson, possibly given to her upon her retirement from Sisters of the Road Café
circa 2009
6 36
Two unlabeled microcassettes
undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Charities--Oregon--Portland
  • Homeless persons--Services for--Oregon--Portland

Personal Names

  • Nelson, Genevieve

Corporate Names

  • Sisters of the Road Café (Portland, Or.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • administrative records
  • memorabilia