Abstract

The Abortion Rights Fund of Western Massachusetts is a volunteer group that generates donations from individuals and foundations to make loans to low-income women seeking abortions. The group also works to increase public awareness of curbs on freedom of choice. The papers include organization records, including financial material, conference materials, correspondence, fundraising material, publications, and other printed material.

Abstract Aileen C. Hernandez (1926-2017) was a Black feminist known for her roles as an original Commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and as the second president of the National Organization for Women (NOW). She was an active member of more than 100 activist and community-based organizations concerned with racial justice, women’s equality, economic equity, fair housing, education, and other social issues. The Aileen C. Hernandez papers document decades of activism by a...

Abstract

Carole A. Oglesby is a pioneer in the women's sports movement and one of the first "out" lesbians in U.S. athletics. The bulk of this collection represents Oglesby's professional activities, research and extensive writings, and contains materials related to women and sport in the United States and worldwide beginning in the 1950's.

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Women's advocacy group. The records document the daily activities of a feminist non-prift research and advocacy group. Major topics covered: women's rights, women's health, reproductive rights, women of color, affirmative action, and domestic violence.

Abstract Writer; Reporter; Lesbian activist. The Dolores Alexander Papers consist of correspondence, writings, and other documents pertaining to Alexander's work as a writer (freelance and as employed by Time, Inc.); files pertaining to Alexander's activism in NOW, Women Against Pornography, and to broader feminist and lesbian issues; files documenting the history of Mother Courage Restaurant in New York; books and audiovisual materials on the subject of achieving financial independence, and...

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Elizabeth A. Sackler, the daughter of Arthur M. Sackler, a psychiatrist who made a fortune in the pharmaceutical business and a noted patron of the arts, has been a tireless advocate on behalf of American Indians and the repatriation of their sacred objects as well as a self-described "matron"of feminist art". Her papers include correspondence, reports, fundraising materials, A/V materials, photographs, and publications.

Abstract Frances Crowe was a major figure in peace and social justice activism in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. Her papers document decades of social justice activism in the Valley, including through local chapters of the American Friends' Service Committee, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Women Against the War, War Resisters' League, and Amnesty International. Materials in this collection include her writings, notes, photographs, posters, memorabilia, and...

Abstract Political sociologist; activist; author. The papers focus primarily on West's activism, research, professional activities, speeches, and writings related to welfare rights and economic justice. Her extensive working files document individuals and organizations working for civil rights, welfare rights, and related social movements from the 1960s to the early 2000s. Organizations represented include the Montclair Welfare Rights and Friends of Welfare Rights, National Welfare Rights...

Abstract Joan E. Biren, known as JEB, is a filmmaker, photographer, and lesbian activist who has been professionally known for documenting lesbian lives and communities since the 1970s. She became particularly well known in the 1980s for her slideshow and historical lecture affectionately known as The Dyke Show, with which she toured extensively. This collection includes JEB’s personal and professional records, and is rich in documentation of her photography and...

Abstract Katherine Triantafillou was the first openly gay person to practice law privately in Massachusetts when she opened her doors in 1975. She continues to specialize in lesbian and gay issues, and offers legal council for victims of domestic violence and other disadvantaged citizens. Her papers contain biographical information, correspondence, photographs, AV material, syllabi and course packets from courses she taught at several Boston area law schools, documentation of cases she litigated, and...

Abstract Civic improvement and political organization. Records consist primarily of reports (1928-90s), publications, membership lists, correspondence, minutes, and research files. Also included are transcripts of League-sponsored radio broadcasts; videotapes of televised informational broadcasts and forums with local political candidates; and publications and educational fliers produced by the League concerning the structure and functions of local government, housing issues, schools, voter services...

Abstract

Lesléa Newman is an American author and editor whose writing explores lesbian, feminist, and Jewish themes and their intersection. The collection contains materials documenting her professional career as a writer, speaker, and teacher, including drafts of writing, correspondence, speeches, and audiovisual material.

Abstract Leslie Tarr Laurie helped found The Family Planning Council of Western Massachusetts (later known as Tapestry Health Systems) 1973 to provide family planning services (birth control, pregnancy testing, referral for adoption and abortion services) and other health services (STD testing, gynecological exams). She would serve as CEO/Executive Director of the agency for the next 40 years until her resignation in early 2014. The collection contains correspondence, publications, minutes, reports,...

Abstract Mary Alexander (Molly) Yard was a political, civil rights and feminist organizer, best known for her work as the president of the National Organization for Women from 1987-1991, during which time she organized the 1989 National March for Women's Lives, one of the largest marches in Washington D.C. history. Born in 1912 in Shanghai, China, where her parents had sought temporary refuge from the political conflicts rocking Chengtu, the provincial home of their Methodist Episcopl mission. She...

Abstract Feminist advocacy organization. Records pertain to all aspects of the Foundation's work since its inception and include records of the Board, correspondence, emails, minutes, agendas, reports, grant applications and proposals, programs, brochures, pamphlets, publications, membership and publicity materials, photographs, posters, audiovisuals, and memorabilia. Much of the collection consists of files documenting the Foundations' projects such as Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work Day; Free...

Abstract Playwright, Lyricist, Actress, Producer. Collection includes correspondence; promotional material; scripts (some in braille); photographs; original film footage and soundtrack chiefly relating to filming, production and distribution of the Oscar winning documentary film Helen Keller in Her Story (1955). Included are research files, biographical information, correspondence and other papers relating to Helen Keller, Annie Sullivan, actress Katharine Cornell,...

Abstract The National Congress of Neighborhood Women (NCNW) is a feminist grassroots network. The primary goal of this organization was to empower poor and working-class women to become community leaders. The collection offers valuable source material for the study of working-class feminist organizing; urban studies; and women in community development. Also documented are the inner workings of grassroots organizing, with all of the personal and political dynamics that come with incorporating a...

Abstract

Records of the NOW Springfield Chapter include administrative records, membership records, correspondence, minutes, newsletters, financial material, projects and programs, national and state NOW material, feminist memorabilia, and audiovisual material.

Abstract Non-profit women's health advocacy organization focusing on the diversity of women's experiences; advocating women's self-determination in all aspects of their reproductive and sexual health; establishing universal health care that meets the needs of diverse women; monitoring the actions of federal regulatory and funding agencies, industry, and health care professions; providing women with objective health information from a feminist viewpoint; and supporting grassroots action. The records...

Abstract Feminist advocacy and educational program. Collection is a rich source of information about issues of race, class, and gender in higher education, in New Jersey specifically, and the efforts of that State to address them among its college and university students and faculty. Types of materials include administrative files, publications, correspondence and emails, reports, writings, books, photographs, conference packets, audiocassettes, DVDs, videocassettes, grant applications, financial...

Abstract Old Lesbians Organizing for Change(OLOC) is a national (United States) organization of lesbian activists age 60 and over. This collection includes extensive documentation of all OLOC gatherings since 1987, including photographs of activities, and videotapes of panel discussions and keynote speeches. Administrative files, newsletters and other publications, and educational and public relations materials are also included, as is a history of the organization. The collection also contains a...

Abstract The records of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America provide substantial information about the history of the birth control and family planning movement nationally and internationally. They are a significant source of information on all aspects of the history of birth control and family planning, including women's health issues; sex education; women in poverty; international population planning and policy; and the legal, political and social aspects of contraception and abortion....

Abstract The records of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America provide substantial information about the history of the birth control and family planning movement nationally and internationally. The records contain correspondence, memos, minutes, reports, publicity, publications, and congressional and legal materials. They document many aspects of the work of the PPFA and its predecessor organizations, advocacy, medical work, and the activities of its staff and affiliates. The PPFA Records are...

Abstract Economist, Founder First Nations Development Institute, Native American rights advocate. Papers are primarily related to her professional and public life, and focus on two organizations founded by Adamson, the First Nations Development Institute (FNDI) and First Peoples Worldwide (FPW). Major topics include American Indians, indigenous people, and economic development. Portions of the work of FNDI are particularly well chronicled through detailed staff reports and records on Field Operations...

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The collection contains the personal and professional papers of Ronnie Gilbert, singer, playwright, psychotherapist, narrator of numerous documentary films, feminist, and global peace worker. Also includes extensive audiovisual materials documenting concerts, albums, and interviews with Ronnie Gilbert and others.

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Poet; Playwright; Author. Manuscript of Adam's Rib (including revisions; and Norwegian and Swedish editions); and The Old Sex and the New; published books, articles and poetry; unpublished writings. Major themes in the collection include literature, sexuality, and the women's movement.

Abstract Community service organization. The Sisters Inc. (sometimes known as Sisters Ink) a community-based organization in the rural hill towns of Western Massachusetts operated from 1996-2008 in support of girls as they entered adolescence. Founded by Ellen Pulleyblank Coffey and Deborah Coffey, the organization was directed by Kelly Anderson for most of its tenure. Programs included: an art-based mentoring program for girls ages 9-12, a music based program for teen girls, a mother-daughter...

Abstract Tapestry Health Systems was founded in 1973 by Leslie Tarr Laurie and others, as the Family Planning Council of Western Massachusetts, to provide family planning services including birth control, pregnancy testing, referral for adoption and abortion services,and other health services. The records of consist primarily of files from the administrative office in Northampton. Included are correspondence; publications; minutes; reports; clinic data; medical protocols; publicity; photographs;...

Abstract International organization. Records of officers, Board of Trustees and directors, and annual meetings make up approximately half of the collection. Correspondence and memoranda are extensive. The other half consists of files of various committees, including the Project Grants Committee, whose members screen grant applications and semi-annually recommend the most promising ones to the Board of Trustees and directors for funding. Records of the Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund (VGIF)...

Abstract

Abortion rights advocacy group. Records contain correspondence, photographs, fundraieing and public relations materials, reports, conference materials, printed materials, and audiovisual materials. Records document the organization's mission to preserve abortion rights by way of media campaigns and endorsing pro-choice candidates for political office.