B.J. Seymour

I´m so grateful for the influence you had on my life at such a critical time in my early transition. I don´t know that I would´ve had the centeredness to go on to become a therapist myself had it not been for the work I did with you several years before. You helped so many people, including me! You live on in the hearts of everyone who ever had the privilege of meeting you, in whatever capacity.

I enjoyed collaborating with BJ, while serving two terms on the Portland Poetry Festival. As our treasurer, BJ succeeded in securing 501 C-3 status, as well as funds from the NEA, RACC and OAC for our group. BJ's efforts allowed the Festival to invite international, national and local authors to read their work for Portland audiences. Presente', BJ!

she was a great help to me wish she could contiue her work

BJ had a unique combination of excellent training, intelligence, savvy, empathy, and practical know-how. I am forever grateful for her expert and caring help in getting me through the early stages of my transition in 1994/1995 -- and for the opportunity to get to know her. What a mensch!!

Please print time/location of the memorial get-together for B.J.

I was happy to know Barbara as I always insisted on calling her,as a friend and a poet. She kept her poems in a small stationary box and I spent many a happy hour listening to her read them. In fact I just recently converted a video tape of her reading many of them to a DVD format. I would be happy to share that with anyone interested. She was always a most gracious person who was fond of "changing her aspect to the sun." She is indelibly written on my memories.

BJ helped me tremendously during my tumultuous early transition time in the summer of 1995. I later became one of portland's "go to" therapists for transition purposes, and it was BJ's matter-of-fact approach that informed my practice. I'd like to attend the Sept. 11 memorial -- what time will it be held?

dearest BJ - miss you tonight. how we would have celebrated this evening when the first woman won the Democratic Nomination for President. 96 years after women getting the right to vote. i know you are smiling now. you too were a change maker. you showed me so much about living by your own example of grit and grace. your light is forever lit inside me. i love you. Diane

I last saw BJ at the ballet a few years ago, when her broad smile diminished the decades since we had last seen each other. BJ had a wonderful sense of humor, a selflessness in her call to action to help others, and a joy when she recognized successful steps made by individuals and groups she supported. We met at Pacific University, where we both taught; and I am grateful for the chance to have known B.J. Seymour.

LInda Tamura