On February 19th, Mary E. Hunt will interview Charlotte Bunch, a storied early lesbian feminist (see above). Their discussion will undoubtedly illuminate the revolutionary atmosphere of early lesbian feminism notably at seminaries and universities.
This archivist is musing about the transformation of historical records in Bunch’s lifetime. Bunch’s first publication was a 1970 mimeographed booklet, "A Broom of One's Own." A copy of this is available now primarily at select academic libraries. Two years later, Bunch and Rita Mae Brown co-authored “What Every Lesbian Should Know,” which appeared in the 1972 lesbian/feminist issue of Motive (on exhibit on our website). Her personal papers dating 1950-1988, (before the digital revolution) are at The Schlesinger Library. They are not currently digitized, on exhibit, or available online.
Contrast the format of these early records with publications since 1988. The latter records will most likely be documented on computer files, TV tapes, YouTube videos, podcasts, and social media. All of these platforms require downloading for secure preservation. Much of Bunch’s work will be located on Rutger University computer files where she directed the Center for Women's Global Leadership (CWGL).
A first step in saving voluminous records like Bunch's is periodic downloading as explained in Archiving DIgital Content. Next, make a habit of requesting copies of broadcast, podcast, interview recordings of you created by others and/or available only on their sites. Gathering these widely dispersed digital materials for long term preservation is key to saving your story. | 
