Inventory of the New York Radical Feminists Records, 1970-2011

Abstract

The New York Radical Feminists were an activist group founded in 1969.

Collection contains organizing and theory documents as well as images from the New York Radical Feminists group from 1970-2011.

Descriptive Summary

Repository: David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
Creator: New York Radical Feminists.
Title: New York Radical Feminists Records, 1970-2011
Language of Material: English
Extent: 1.2 Linear Feet, 400 Items
Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Series Quick Links

New York Radical Feminists Records, 1970-2011

Collection (2008-0262) (350 items, 0.7 lin. ft.; dated 1971-1977) contains organizing and theory documents of the New York Radical Feminists from the Stanton-Anthony Brigade and notes from 1971 session of Upper East Side Lucy Stone Brigade consciousness raising group; handouts from New York Radical Feminists' speak-outs and conferences; Motherhood Conference typed transcripts of speak-out; copies of NYRF newsletter; NYRF public relations and financial documents; documentation of the production of the play "Focus on Me" by Bobbi Ausubel. Includes USB flash drive with 150 images from the collection; these are page scans of the entire collection except for the newsletters. Contents of the flash drive have been transferred to a library server. Documents include originals as well as photocopies.

Collection also contains what were probably pages from a notebook or scrapbook containing selections on the work and activities of the organization, including its Enterprises (restaurant, bookstore, coffeehouse, credit union, writing group, and oratory group), as well as its work against sexual abuses. There are clippings, fliers, handouts, programs, press releases, conference schedules, newsletters, fund-raising letters, and color photographs.

Finally, there are additional clippings, subject files, and documentation of the New York Radical Feminists' activist activities, including 1970 and 1978 Women's Equality Day, Women '80, initiation of the Ladies Home Journal Sit-In, East 5th Street Abandoned Women's Shelter Takeover, and the 1974-1975 New York City Feminist Community Coalition.

Acquired as part of the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture.

Administrative Information

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Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.

Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Contents of the Collection

Browse List of Series

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New York Radical Feminists Records, 1970-2011

Introductions - Consciousness Raising Group Guidelines, 1969-1976 - Action Groups, 1971

Box 1

Actions on Sexual Abuse, 1971-1976

Box 1

Actions on Marriage and Motherhood, 1973-1975

Box 1

Actions on Work and Fashion, 1973-1978

Box 1

Production of Focus on Me! by Bobbi Ausubel, 1974-1985

Box 1

Newsletters, 1971-1977

(7 folders)

Box 1

Notebook and scrapbook pages, 1972-2002

Box 1

Clippings, subject files, and documentation of activism, 1970-2011

(2 folders)

Box 2

Historical Note

New York Radical Feminists was a radical feminist group co-founded primarily by Shulamith Firestone and Anne Koedt with the October 3, 1969 Stanton-Anthony Brigade, after they and other brigade members left Redstockings. Central to NYRF's philosophy was the idea that men consciously maintained power and a climate of supremacy over women in order to strengthen their egos. New York Radical Feminists members organized small 10-12 women consciousness-raising groups throughout NYC that all came together for a monthly mass business and consciousness-raising meeting.