Veverly Campbell Oral History Interview

Veverly Campbell begins the interview by discussing her parents' backgrounds and how they immigrated to Portland. She then goes on to talk about her early childhood, including the neighborhood she grew up in, her early school memories, her church experience, and her relationships with her grandparents. Campbell then recalls her experience as a survivor of sexual assault and discusses the impact that has had on her and her life. She then moves on to talk about her first marriage to an abusive husband, the impact it had on her, and how drugs exacerbated her husband’s violent tendencies. She then recounts how she met and married her second husband, and how her second husband had such a positive impact on her life. Campbell then reflects on her experiences with drug abuse, how she was turned away from that life, and how the trauma she experienced in her life had led her to that point. She then talks about how religion, her best friend who is also a therapist, and her second husband helped her turn her life around. She then considers police brutality in her neighborhood growing up, and the way that race and generational trauma intersect. She also talks about the impact of gang violence on Black communities, and how her own sons got caught up in gangs.

Campbell then recounts her career and education, especially focusing on her jobs at Techtronix and Lutheran Interfaith Ministries, as well as her time at Portland Community College. She then takes a brief detour to discuss how her son almost died as a result of gang violence, and how that impacted her and her family. Campbell then talks about her time at Portland State University, including how she got her undergraduate degree and her memories of her time there. She then goes into detail about her career, especially focusing on her jobs at Techtronix, at a Montessori school, and working for Self Enhancement Incorporated. During this time, Campbell also shares her opinions and perspective on the Civil Rights Movement. Campbell then talks about her personal life, including her health issues, how she spends her recreational time, and her faith. Campbell ends the interview by talking about family traditions, holidays, her social life, and the importance of her family and their impact on her.

Veverly Campbell was born in Portland, Oregon in 1945. Starting in the second grade, Campbell was able to attend a private Catholic school on a scholarship. From there, she went to a predominantly Black high school, from which she graduated in 1964. After high school, she married her first husband, with whom she had three kids. She remarried in 1978 and remained with her second husband until his passing. In 1978, Campbell began working at Tektronix, building electronics equipment. She remained in this position until 1990. In 1992, she decided to go back to school, attending Portland Community College until 1995. She then worked at Lutheran Intercity Ministries as a kindergarten teacher from 1995 until its closing in 1998.

In 1998 she again went back to school, attending a Catholic university based out of Salem, Oregon. During this time, she also began working at a Montessori preschool, where she was employed until 2005. After her son was injured, she stopped attending school to focus on his recovery. In 2001, Campbell once again returned to school and completed her Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies at Portland State University. That same year, she became the program director for an afterschool program, where she worked until 2007. From 2008 until 2011, she worked for Friends of the Children. From 2011 until the time of the interview, she worked at Self Enhancement Incorporated, providing assistance to underserved children in Portland.

Note: This interview contains stories of drug abuse and violence, including domestic violence and police brutality.