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Women's Liberation Collection, 1959-2006 (Bulk: 1966-78)
26 boxes; 6 books (11 linear ft.)
Collection number: MS 408

Abstract:
This collection documents the mid-20th century women's liberation movement in the United States. Materials include printed material, bibliographies, book reviews, books, catalogs, correspondence, position papers, publicity, questionnaires, reports, resolutions, speeches, photographs and audiotapes. There is also memorabilia and ephemera. Also included are organizational files of the National Organization for Women, and local groups such as New York City's Redstockings and Berkeley's Women's History Research Library, among others. Individuals represented in the collection include Ti-Grace Atkinson, Shulamith Firestone, Betty Friedan, Germaine Greer, Kate Millett, Robin Morgan and Gloria Steinem.

Terms of Access and Use:

Restrictions on access:

The collection is open to research according to the regulations of the Sophia Smith Collection.

Restrictions on use:

Material in this collection may be protected by copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy all copyright holders. Permission to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use" must also be obtained from the Sophia Smith Collection as owners of the physical property.

Sophia Smith Collection
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Women's Liberation Collection documents the emergence, evolution, impact, and decline of the women's liberation movement and the contributions of some of the major personalities associated with it during the period 1966 to 1977. Material generated by the women's liberation movement includes bibliographies, book reviews, books, brochures, bumper stickers, audiotapes, catalogs, comic books, conference programs, correspondence, directories, leaflets, minutes, newsletters [see also Periodicals Collection], newspaper clippings, pamphlets, photographs, position papers, posters, publicity, questionnaires, reports, resolutions, songbooks, and speeches.

Campaign poster for Massachusetts primary, Shirley Chisholm for President, 1972

Campaign poster for Massachusetts primary,
Shirley Chisholm for President, 1972

Individuals represented in the collection include Ti-Grace Atkinson, Shulamith Firestone, Betty Friedan, Germaine Greer, Kate Millett, Robin Morgan and Gloria Steinem. These individuals' files consist primarily of biographical information, newspapers clippings, and published writings, though a few also contain speeches and photographs. National organizations, such as the National Organization for Women are represented; as are local women's groups such as New York City's Redstockings and Berkeley's Women's History Research Library. Feminist groups associated with the Five Colleges and the Pioneer Valley are also well-represented in the collection.

Additional material includes published material and ephemera relating to a variety of issues that concerned feminists in the 1960s and 1970s. These cover the spectrum from anti-feminism to men's liberation to spirituality. Some of the more unique material includes both pornographic and anti-pornographic comic books; and "Consumer products" such as catalogs that document the wide array of t-shirts, bumper stickers, jewelry, buttons, postcards, and posters marketed to feminists. The collection also contains a large number of newspaper clippings from prominent mainstream publications such as the New York Times, Newsweek, Redbook, and Time Magazine documenting both unsympathetic cultural responses to women's liberation and the dramatic cultural shifts ushered in by feminists during their heyday in the 1970s.


Information on Use
Terms of Access and Use
Restrictions on access:

The collection is open to research according to the regulations of the Sophia Smith Collection.

Restrictions on use:

Material in this collection may be protected by copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy all copyright holders. Permission to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use" must also be obtained from the Sophia Smith Collection as owners of the physical property.

Preferred Citation

Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection:

Women's Liberation Collection, Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College, Northampton, Mass.

History of the Collection

Multiple donors have contributed to this collection.

Accruals:

Periodic additions to the collection are expected.

Processing Information

Finding aid revised 2002. Introductory text by Kate Weigand. Recent additions may not be reflected in the finding aid.


Additional Information
Contact Information
Sophia Smith Collection
Smith College
Northampton, MA 01063

Phone: (413) 585-2970
Fax: (413) 585-2886

Email Reference Form: http://www.smith.edu/libraries/libs/ssc/emailform.html
URL: http://www.smith.edu/libraries/libs/ssc/

Language
English.