Sophia Smith Collection of Women's History

Abstract

This collection consists of biographical material on both famous and lesser-known women and men. For the most part, there is only a small amount of material on each individual. Materials typically include published and unpublished biographical sketches, books, correspondence, diaries, genealogies, photographs, and published and unpublished writings.

Abstract Birth control advocate, Women's rights advocate, Author. The bulk of the papers focus on Brush's work with Margaret Sanger and the International Planned Parenthood Federation. The collection includes first-hand accounts of Margaret Sanger's work; research and writings on Japanese women; research, questionnaires, and manuscript for her book on menopause; and reports, correspondence and photographs on the birth control missionary work of Sanger and Brush in various countries. Correspondents...

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The Education Collection includes bibliographies, reports, papers, articles, biographies, textbooks, teaching materials, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, conference programs, proposals, scholarly papers, course syllabi and correspondence pertaining to women's education.

Abstract Primarily printed materials and books, plus some unpublished writings, correspondence, photographs, and ephemera, pertaining to employment issues and specific occupations of women primarily in the U.S. and England. Topics include affirmative action, sex discrimination, labor organizing, child labor, immigrant workers, women in industry, jury duty, wartime work, Social Security, and protective legislation. Over eighty occupations represented include: law, academics, social work, sciences,...

Abstract Collection contains articles, bibliographies, books, greeting cards, leaflets, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, periodicals, reports, and syllabi addressing "the family," including topics such as homemakers, housework, marriage, unwed mothers, and divorce. Includes feminist critique of marriage and the family by both well-known feminists and more mainstream writers and journalists. Contains documentation of the changes in American family structures and norms that resulted from the cultural...

Abstract Birth control advocate and nurse. Sanger, a sex reform activist, fought for women's rights to use contraceptives and founded both the national and international Planned Parenthood Federations. Papers include correspondence, writings, organizational and conference materials documenting her leadership of the American and international birth control movements. Also included are records of activities and events related to Sanger's personal life, tributes, travels, art work, family materials,...

Abstract Historian, archivist, and women's rights activist. The Mary Ritter Beard papers primarily document the organization and dissolution of the World Center for Women's Archives, which Beard founded, as well as the founding of both the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College and the Schlesinger Library at Radcliffe College, both women's history archives. Materials include correspondence, writings, photographs, and books. Correspondents include Dorothy Brush; Ethel Weed; prominent Japanese...

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Periodicals Collection includes over 1,500 titles of current and historical, U.S. and international women's magazines, newsletters, and other serials. Holdings range from full-runs to single subscriptions for certain titles.

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Forty-one interviews (with complete transcripts) of individuals throughout the world who have made important contributions to the reproductive health movement since 1965. Includes reproductive health advocates, communication specialists, lawyers, managers, physicians, researchers, social workers and others. The series addresses the historical period 1965-2005.

Abstract The Population Problems Collection contains mainly printed materials on issues pertaining to world population problems in the 20th century; family planning and the birth control movement in the United States; the international birth control movement; and development programs and agencies that assist poorer women and their families. Related issues such as sterilization and eugenics are also documented. Types of materials include books, pamphlets, booklets, newspaper clippings, articles, and...

Abstract

Collection consists almost entirely of printed materials, also includes handbills, reports, speeches, trial transcripts, a Smith College course syllabus and unpublished paper, and an audiotape of The Dick Cavett Show on the legalization of prostitution. Focus on the United States and England, some items on Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Abstract This collection is comprised of bibliographies, articles, pamphlets, biographies, newspaper clippings and tracts all pertaining to women's roles within religion and the church. Included are two volumes of The Woman's Bible (1897); a tract entitled "Account of Abigail Hutchinson: a young woman hopefully converted at Northampton, Mass (1734);" pamphlets and articles on the education and training of missionaries and historical sketches of missionary societies; matriarchal religions and founders...

Abstract

The Smith College Archives document the life of the College by collecting materials created by students, faculty, administrative and departmental staff during the course of their time here. The Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College is an internationally recognized repository of manuscripts, archives, photographs, periodicals and other primary sources in women's history. This collection contains the administrative records of the College Archives and Sophia Smith Collection.

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An artificial collection documenting the evolution of medical and scientific thinking and practice relating to women's health. Topics include abortion, birth control, childbirth, eugenics, female genital mutilation, lactation, infant mortality, marriage instruction, mental hygiene, motherhood, nutrition, obstetrics, sexuality, sterilization, and AIDS. Types of materials include printed material, research materials, reports, and surveys.

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Self-published magazines created primarily by women and girls who share a strong feminist perspective. Topics include "third wave" feminism, lesbian relationships, erotica, African American experiences around gender, and fat liberation. The collection is comprised primarily of individual issues, mostly dating from the 1990s.

Scope and Contents Audiovisual recordings and still photos of events sponsored by Smith College Special Collections. Also included are photographs of Special Collections classes, staff gatherings and individual staff, archival activities, and building spaces. Some of the events represented include: "Righting the Wrongs of Rock History: Women, Gender and Rock": a panel discussion introducing the Women of Rock Oral History Project, October, 22, 2015 "An Activist...

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This small collection is comprised mostly newspaper clippings about girls and women breaking into collegiate and professional sports, and youth sports, circa 1970s. Included are printed materials on the Women's Equity Action League Educational and Legal Defense Fund (WEAL) and its interpretations of Title IX - Educational Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in all federally funded education programs.

Abstract Feminists, Suffragists. Comprised largely of printed materials such as pamphlets, newspaper clippings, petitions, legislative documents, articles, periodicals, and books pertaining to the enfranchisement of women primarily in the U.S., but also in England and there are small amounts of material on other countries. There are also manuscript materials including unpublished writings and correspondence. Photographs document suffrage parades, demonstrations, groups, and individuals. Suffrage...

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Oral History Project documenting the persistence and diversity of organizing for women in the United States. Narrators include labor, peace, and anti-racism activists; artists and writers; lesbian rights advocates; grassroots anti-violence and anti-poverty organizers; and women of color reproductive justice leaders. Interviews cover childhood, personal life, and political work. Most oral histories consist of audiovisual recordings and transcripts, plus some background information.

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Collection contains manuscripts and published material, including books dating from the early nineteenth century. The collection consists primarily of published sources such as lectures, sermons, and printed material; but also includes a significant amount of unusual and unique material such as household bills and inventories, letters, lists, and notes.

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Collection of files on women's clubs in the United States, primarily in New England.

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...

Abstract This collection contains both printed materials and original sources documenting the broad spectrum of women's rights struggles and movements from the late eighteenth century to the present, primarily in the United States. Materials include biographical writings on individuals who made significant contributions to women's rights; an important concentration of sources on women's rights conferences and conventions; records pertaining to the E.R.A. fight; records of the President's Commission...