Saskia Scheffer
Group of Lesbian Herstory Archive coordinators at the opening of the Archives’ new location in Brooklyn, 1993. Photo © Morgan Gwenwald.
“Most people would throw everything out about lesbians, or only keep the negative things. … But the Archives house the collective memory of what happened to us as a group.”
The first day I was scheduled to work with Saskia I was running a little late. I emailed Saskia to let her know. Looking back on it I should have texted or called her. When I arrived at the Archives I could feel the energy was a little off but I wanted to keep a positive mindset for the day. Saskia had me staple some papers together as soon as I got there. She wasn’t making much eye contact with me nevertheless I got right to work. As I was stapling the papers she stopped and said “I was here right at 10 am - I am just saying.. and I said it, it’s over.” I froze. Tears immediately filled my eyes and my whole body got hot. I felt terrible for being late and making such a bad impression. I ended up swallowing my pride, apologized, and kept on stapling.
As the day went on Saskia seemed to soften to me a bit and we shared some fun moments in the basement of the Archives looking at old posters that were rolled up in tubes. We got giddy uncovering these old treasures. One moment during our digging Saskia laughed and said “I am so sorry I snapped at you earlier.” I was surprised and more importantly, relieved. As the day grew to an end I was walking out of the building and Saskia stopped me to show me a picture. It was a photo of Saskia, as young woman, in the street with dyed colorful hair.
I like to think in that moment we became kindred spirits.
Working with Saskia Scheffer was an eye-opening experience. I got to get to know her on a professional but also (I think) on a somewhat personal level as well. I got to know how much she loves her cat, how she hates the heat, loves wine and just how invested she is in being a coordinator at the Archives. She will seriously enforce the no liquids sign on the main dining room table and enjoy the stories of the younger queers who confide in her and look to her for relationship and life guidance. Her photography and her dedication to the Archives is an important example to younger generations in how we can keep the Archives alive for years to come.
Thank you for the time together this summer Saskia. I hope we get to work together more in the near future and enjoy some wine.
