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Latina women

 Subject
Subject Source: Local Ssc
Scope Note: Identity categories provide another way of understanding the lives of women documented in our collections. Identities are assigned based on information available to the Smith College Special Collections, as declared by historical actors. Terms that people may have used to describe their own identities change over time. Because of this, not all collections are categorized. If we have made a mistake in our identity classification, please contact us.

Because the majority of the Latina women and organizations that we collect self-identify with the term 'Latina,' we have chosen to use this term rather than the Library of Congress subject heading 'Hispanic American.'

Found in 25 Collections and/or Records:

Alliance Against Women's Oppression records

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00699
Abstract International women of color organization, Welfare rights activists, Reproductive rights and Women's health advocates. The Records are primarily related to the Bay Area Chapter of the Alliance and contain documents that articulate and demonstrate the challenges of developing a revolutionary mass organization through position and discussion papers, drafts, and publications produced by the Alliance. There is abundant documentation of the processes of coalition and social investigation that...
Dates of Materials: 1980-1989

Aurora Levins Morales interviewed by Kelly Anderson, September 28 and 30, 2005

 File — Box 34: [Barcode: 310183630387107]
Scope and Contents

In this oral history, Levins Morales details her family heritage and describes her childhood in Puerto Rico, particularly in relation to her parents' political activism and Communist party membership. The majority of the interview focuses on Levins Morales activism, her experiences as a woman of color in both male-led nationalist organizations and the predominantly white, middle-class feminist movement, and her work as a writer and educator. (Transcript 101 pp.)

Dates of Materials: September 28 and 30, 2005

Betita Martinez interviewed by Loretta J. Ross, March 3, 2006 and August 6, 2006

 File — Box 30: [Barcode: 310183630031606]
Scope and Contents

This oral history offers a general overview of Martinez' life and work. Martinez reviews her childhood and her political experiences from SNCC forward. She discusses the difficulty of sustaining left groups in the face of sectarianism and government infiltration. Martinez comments on current domestic and international politics and reflects on tensions between her activism and her role as a single parent. (Transcript 70 pp.)

Dates of Materials: March 3, 2006 and August 6, 2006

Carmen Vázquez interviewed by Kelly Anderson, May 12-13, 2005 and August 25, 2005

 File — Box 60: [Barcode: 310183630031358]
Scope and Contents In this oral history, Vázquez describes her early childhood in Puerto Rico and growing up in New York City, first on the Lower East Side, then in Harlem. Vázquez is forthcoming about her personal life during this time and covers issues such as racism, family dynamics, religion and sexuality. Vázquez describes her political awakening and early activism, beginning with the student protests at City College and Puerto Rican independence efforts. She describes in depth her movement from...
Dates of Materials: May 12-13, 2005 and August 25, 2005

Carmen Vázquez papers

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00557
Abstract

Lesbian activist. The Carmen Vázquez Papers document Vazquez's activism for gay and lesbian rights; they include materials pertaining to gay and lesbian health issues, as well as Vazquez's interest and involvement in broader issues of race and class. The collection includes diaries, correspondence, biographical information, an interview, photographs, memorabilia, writings speeches.

Dates of Materials: 1951 - 2011

Committee on Women, Population and the Environment records

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00768
Abstract

The collection contains the business records of the Committee on Women, Population,& the Environment (CWPE), a multi-racial alliance that works on the local, regional, national, and international levels to oppose population control policies that blame overpopulation for poverty, hunger, environmental degradation and political volatility.

Dates of Materials: 1979 - 2012

Graciela Sanchez interviewed by Loretta Ross, February 22-23, 2005

 File — Box 50: [Barcode: 310183630031382]
Scope and Contents In this oral history, Sánchez describes her childhood in a close-knit extended, egalitarian working-class family, noting especially her mother's influence on her core values. She recounts her political development and activity at Yale, the difficulty of her coming out process, and her involvement in Chicano organizing projects and filmmaking. Sánchez details the development of the Esperanza Center, including the political and funding challenges of sustaining a multi-issue organization led by...
Dates of Materials: February 22-23, 2005

Guida West papers

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00555
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...
Dates of Materials: 1946 - 2006

Inter-American Commission of Women records

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00312
Abstract

The Inter-American Commission of Women Records primarily consists of bulletins, publications, and reports (many in Spanish), as well as correspondence, clippings, photographs, and reports. The bulk of the materials are dated between 1933 and 1959.

Dates of Materials: 1928-1976

Joan E. Biren papers

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00587
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...
Dates of Materials: 1944-2019

Linda Burnham papers

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00736
Abstract Linda Burnham is a journalist, activist, and leader in women's rights movements, particularly with organizations and projects serving and advocating for women of color. Collection is comprised of photographs, writings by Burnham, and biographical material. Also, in addition to materials and photographs related to the Third World Women Alliance (TWWA), there is also much material related to its successor organizations, the Alliance Against Women's Oppression and the Women of Color Resource...
Dates of Materials: 2000 - 2015

Luz Alvarez Martinez interviewed by Loretta J. Ross, December 6-7, 2004

 File — Box 31: [Barcode: 310183630031671]
Scope and Contents In this oral history, Martinez describes her childhood immersed in the Catholic culture of Mexican immigrants in California. She describes an emotionally difficult marriage. She traces her decades of political work and details current programs of the National Latina Health Organization. Martinez recounts moments of cooperation and tension between women of color and mainstream women's groups as well as among women of color. Her story underscores the centrality of Self-Help to her life and...
Dates of Materials: December 6-7, 2004

Luz Alvarez Martinez papers

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00620
Abstract Health reformer. Papers document Luz Martinez's personal life through an interview, photographs, audiovisual materials, and memorabilia. There are also materials that document her leadership role in fostering the health and well-being of minority women and records and photographs of her activism with the National Latina Health Organization include Board files, program files, posters, artwork, and photomontages; and her work with the Sister Song Women of Color Reproductive Justice...
Dates of Materials: 1978 - 2007

Luz Rodriguez interviewed by Joyce Follet, June 16-17, 2006

 File — Box 45: [Barcode: 310183630031002]
Scope and Contents

Rodriguez describes childhood and adolescence on the Lower East Side. Her story underscores the centrality of cultural programs to community organizing in the late 1960s and the difficulty of integrating artistic work and political conviction in later years. Rodriguez describes the organizational challenges and personal costs involved in creating and sustaining small social justice organizations. The interview includes a detailed account of the formation of SisterSong. (Transcript 77 pp.)

Dates of Materials: June 16-17, 2006

Luz Rodriguez papers

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00539
Abstract Reproductive rights advocate. Papers include organization, conference, and symposia materials; appointment books; writings; educational records; correspondence; photographs; and memorabilia. They document Rodriguez's many professional activities, especially her activism in health and education for women of color, including SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective and the Latina Roundtable on Health and Reproductive Rights. In addition they document her activities on behalf of...
Dates of Materials: 1945-2006; Majority of material found within 1968-2006

Miriam Ching Yoon Louie papers

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00719
Abstract Labor organizer; Women's rights activist; Author; Activist; Poet. The papers include correspondence, organizing materials, conference materials, fliers, pamphlets, newsletters, and newspaper clippings. There is also Louie's course work as both student and instructor. Major topics include women and labor organizing, Asian American women's history, social justice activism, international women's rights, and issues surrounding race, class, immigration and poverty in the U.S. Especially...
Dates of Materials: 1970 - 2016

National Latina Health Organization records

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00686
Abstract

Latinas; Youth advocate; Women's health advocacy organization. The National Latina Health Organization Records include health education and workshop curricula, office files, surveys, conference materials, and newsletters. The NLHO's programming for Latina health issues and their teen programs are well documented. There are also some records of the Board of Directors and a few financial records.

Dates of Materials: 1986-2003

National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice records

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00527
Abstract

The collection contains Newsletters and pamphlets of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, an organization that ensures the fundamental human right to reproductive health for Latinas, their families and their communities through education, advocacy and coalition building.

Dates of Materials: 1992 - 2010

Rosario Morales papers

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00712
Abstract Feminist; Communist; Author; Poet. Papers contain correspondence, writings (manuscripts, drafts, journals, free writing, publications), conference files, memorabilia, and awards that document her personal and professional life as an author, poet, feminist, and activist. Writings included here are primarily autobiographical, focusing on her identity as a Puerto Rican feminist. Morales' writings often underscore the importance of intersectionality in the feminist movement. Correspondents...
Dates of Materials: 1960 - 2014

SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective records

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00550
Abstract

Reproductive rights advocacy and healthcare reform organization. Conference materials, background information, and video recordings from the SisterSong National Membership Meetings.

Dates of Materials: 1994 - 2012

Third World Women's Alliance, Bay Area chapter records

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00697
Abstract Global women of color reproductive rights and social justice organization. TWWA broadened the scope of women's activism to address issues such as sterilization abuse, infant mortality, welfare rights, and low-wage work. The orientation of TWWA towards the "third world" brought the struggles, condition, and status of women in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East to the forefront. The bulk of the records focus on the the West Coast and Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area Chapters of the...
Dates of Materials: 1971 - 2012; Majority of material found within 1971-1977

Undivided Rights Book Project records

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00538
Abstract

Feminist; Professor, Women's Studies; Author; Reproductive rights advocate. Research files, correspondence and manuscripts related to the book Undivided Rights: Women of Color Organizing for Reproductive Justice (2004) by Jael Miriam Silliman, Loretta Ross, Marlene Fried, and Elena Gutiérrez.

Dates of Materials: 1992 - 2003

Voices of Feminism Oral History Project oral histories

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00535
Abstract

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.

Dates of Materials: 1990-2014

Women of color collection

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00439
Abstract The Women of Color Collection consists primarily of published material relating to the status of women of color in the United States. Includes printed materials, bibliographies, position papers, the Indian School Journal, unpublished position papers from the Wesleyan College Center for Research on Women, A Resource Guide of American Indian-Alaskan Native Women, and reports from conferences on the educational and occupational...
Dates of Materials: 1903-1992

Women of Color Resource Center records

 Collection
Identifier: SSC-MS-00718
Abstract

Women of color grassroots network; Welfare rights, reproductive rights, and women's health advocacy organization in Oakland, California. Records include publications, pamphlets and catalogs of the WCRC; programming materials, conference reports, background research files, and audiovisual material.

Dates of Materials: 1984 - 2011