By Sam Stroud, April 2025, FOCAS Intern, 24-25 / UCLA
During my time as an intern at the June L. Mazer Lesbian Archives, I’ve gained experience in many aspects of the archival process. I’ve processed collections, written finding aids, digitized materials, and created metadata for digital collections– to name just a few of my intern tasks. The skills I’ve gained through this position have set me up for success, especially as my time as a student is coming to a close and I am on the hunt for full-time employment. However, perhaps the most meaningful thing I’ve gained from this experience is the joy of connection to my community, its history, and its elders.
Every day that I go to work at the Mazer is a good day. By now, the staff at the Mazer are used to my giddy excitement, awe, and immense gratitude for the collections. Getting to exist and work in a space where I am surrounded by lesbian stories and history has been so wonderful and overwhelming in the best way. For me, the only thing better than going to work at the Mazer is inviting others to enjoy the space alongside me.
On January 26, 2025, I hosted a volunteer day at the Mazer for UCLA MLIS students to visit the archives, help us move collections, and catalog books. Not only did we get far more done than we had originally set out to, it was also a day full of joy, community, and newfound friendships. Of the 15 volunteers who came to the event, many of them have remained connected to the archives in the months since as regular volunteers.
MLIS students at the Mazer’s volunteer day
The success of our volunteer day set the tone for the events the Mazer has planned for the rest of the year. In early March, the Mazer held an Open House, which was attended by dozens of lesbians, queer and trans folks, and allies from across generations. In preparation for the event, I designed branded pin-back buttons featuring photos of iconic lesbians from the Mazer’s collections. As I made buttons throughout the event, lesbian elders approached me to take a button and tell me stories of their friends who were pictured on the buttons. Not only were the buttons great conversation starters, but my button-making station also raised over $200 in donations during the two hour event.
The Mazer’s 1.5 inch button maker and branded pin-back buttons
The success and joy of Mazer events is set to continue throughout the spring and summer. We’re launching a lesbian comic book club and plan to host regular movie nights in the coming months. While there are only ten weeks left of my Mellon-funded internship at the Mazer, I know my involvement and connection to the archives is one that I will maintain and cherish for the rest of my life.