Special
Features / April 2007
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 Cathy Pleska
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By Pat Lawrence
Cathy Pleska is a writer and photographer who loves history. With a degree in English, a Masters in Humanities and her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, Cathy uses narrative and story elements to write non-fiction, like memoirs. It’s just about a perfect match for a History Alive! performer, but also for the character she has chosen to portray.
Cathy says, “I’m always interested in strong women. A friend had seen an article about Frances Johnston and I read about her and was intrigued. I had seen History Alive! Performance and adored them. Frances Johnston was from Grafton, WV, though she moved with her family to Washington D.C. when she was very young. She was one of the most prominent photographers of her time.” Cathy decided to propose the character to the West Virginia Humanities Council. “The deadline for the proposal was January 2006 and I almost waited too long to prepare my proposal. About three weeks before, I hopped on Amtrack and headed for the Library of Congress. They have over 25,000 of her pictures and about 19,000 articles by or about her!”
Cathy was particularly interested in Frances Johnston’s diaries, but to her dismay, “I couldn’t read her handwriting!” Still, she says, “I did get a good sense of her and continued the research.” Cathy auditioned in July, was accepted and became a History Alive! presenter in November.
She says, “Frances was the Annie Leibovitz of her day. She was born in 1864 and lived until 1952. Her pictures included Mark Twain, Eleanor Roosevelt, Booker T. Washington, Susan B.Anthony and Isadora Duncan. She was the official White House photographer for four administrations. She was welcomed by the most influential people in a lot of places.” Along with her incredible picture portfolio, Frances wrote a book, and her articles were featured in a variety of historic, architectural and other publications.
Cathy says, “I’ve taken photos myself since I was a teenager, so I can appreciate her challenges and techniques, though not all the technical requirements of photography then.” Cathy also has written a book, writes freelance articles and contributes to Wonderful West Virginia.
Between writing, researching and performing, Cathy taught for years at WV State and now teaches tai chi classes 5-6 times a week as well as an introduction to literature “You can tell how much I like it-I don’t even mind that it’s an 8 o’clock class!” When her own literary memoir, The Last Story Teller, is published, she hopes to teach a low residency program.
Originally from Hurricane, the Teays Valley native lives in Scot Depot now, and works out of her home office. Unlike Frances, who never married, Cathy is planning an overseas trip to celebrate her 35th anniversary. She’s still learning more about the unusual woman she portrays, a woman embraced by society yet who flouted social conventions, a woman who photographed presidents and first ladies but also created deferential portraits of working women and Tuskegee students.
Cathy studied costumes and fashions of the 1910 era and found a company that makes costumes for re-enactors and historical performers. The shirt and blouse were $187. She says, “I don’t have the historically correct shoes yet-button ups! They have to be specially measured to fit your feet, and they’re $350.”
Cathy says, “I hope people will come to meet Frances. We need to rediscover these incredible role models. Frances was a thoroughly modern woman, a pioneer and an artist, a successful business woman but quite the Bohemian. She integrated her artistic sensibilities with the bottom line. Of course, she’s a hoot!”
For more information, contact Cathy Pleska, 304-757-4109 or catpleska@aol.com.
Copyright © 2007 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
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