Life of activist cut short by accident

Wednesday, July, 8, 2009; 9:49 PM | 5 | | Print

Police and rescue personnel convene around the scene of the collision as they begin the investigation into the accident.

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TOPICS: bonnie tinker activist quaker

She and Knapp helped found a women's clinic in Portland, and worked on projects for homeless women and drug addicts.

Tinker would go on to found the oldest domestic violence shelter on the West Coast.

Portland's Bradley Angle House is still in operation.

Knapp said Tinker founded that shelter after realizing violence was the common thread between most groups of women she was trying to help.

"The common ground between all these people we were trying to help was violence in their lives," Knapp said.

Tinker was known for her activism in the gay and lesbian rights community, particularly in the state of Oregon.

Knapp said Tinker was calling for gay marriage rights long before it took center stage in the media.

"She was very involved in that even before it became fashionable," Knapp said.

Knapp said Love Makes a Family was a symbol of her views on the world.

"Really, the foundation of a strong relationship and marriage is love," Knapp said. "Her organization really exemplified that."

Her family also displayed her views, with a multi-cultural emphasis.

"She has a very integrated family," Knapp said. "Love is what brings them all together."

She became known for using conversation and understanding to sway the opinions of her opponents.

Knapp said Tinker operated a booth at the Oregon State Fair where she talked to people about the gay marriage movement, finding common ground such as the experience of visiting a spouse in the hospital.

Birchard said Tinker garnered respect in every project she took on.

"She was an absolute force," Birchard said. "When Bonnie was convinced of the truth of something, she pursued it in a bold and unwavering fashion."

Knapp listed the different projects Tinker had undertaken, including testifying before Congress and working with then-Senator Joe Biden on a bill related to domestic violence.

Birchard said her work was not yet complete.

"She is sorely, sorely missed," Birchard said.

She was also involved with a peace activist group known as PO'd Grannies.

Most recently, she was arrested, along with Graham, for an anti-war demonstration during the 2007 Portland Rose Festival.

"She was also very active in the cause of peace," Birchard said. "She just did a lot of work throughout her life for peace and equality."

Knapp said a memorial service is being planned for late July.

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Anonymous | # July 9, 2009 @ 6:11 PM — Flag Comment

about 5 people might care about this les

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Anonymous | # July 10, 2009 @ 1:54 PM — Flag Comment

Actually, that is not true. This is a university and there are many ways to learn. It is a very interesting article about a person who was a guest on our campus and died tragically. Many people who read this care.

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Susan Hinton | # July 11, 2009 @ 12:05 AM — Flag Comment

I knew Bonnie 35 years ago, as the older sister of a good friend. During a miserable middle school period, where boys sometimes acted as though they couldn't hear anything said by girls during a serious conversation (we're talking teenagers in the early 70's), Bonnie was proof that not only was there was life after high school, but it could be what you wanted it to be. I haven't seen her or her family in ages, but I miss her spirit.

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Anonymous | # July 13, 2009 @ 3:04 PM — Flag Comment

Not a surprise the way cars, trucks, and vans just drive on sideWALKS everywhere around the campus. I sometimes am forced to walk on the road because the trucks are driving on the sidewalks. So this in no way shocks me.

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Anonymous | # July 28, 2009 @ 3:07 PM — Flag Comment

I am very comforted to have read such nice words in regards to someone that I was not close with, but affected by from a distance.

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