Resource Center for Women and Ministry in the South records, 1939-2018

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Summary

Creator:
Resource Center for Women and Ministry in the South, Inc.
Abstract:
A non-profit organization, located in Durham, N.C., founded in 1977 for the purpose of providing support for women in ministry, persons of faith working for justice in the South, and religious organizations that address women's needs. The records are relevant to the study of the relationships among religion, politics, and society, particularly how women in ministry have confronted a number of social issues facing the South. Information pertaining to the Equal Rights Amendment, sexism, economic justice and poverty, gays and lesbians in the Church, feminism, abortion, racism, and rural ministry is included. Also includes materials on retreats and conferences, some organized by the Resource Center, which focused on many of the issues above and other concerns, including gender and language, spirituality, medical care, housing and homelessness, women in ministry, and women in the workplace.
Extent:
33.5 Linear Feet
Physical description:
33.5 linear feet
Language:
English.
Collection ID:
RL.01081

Background

Scope and content:

The records of the Resource Center for Women and Ministry in the South span the years 1939 to 2018 with the bulk occurring from 1977 to 1990. The Resource Center's mission of working for justice in the South as well as its operations are reflected in the records, which primarily consist of printed material, correspondence, writings, clippings, account books, grant proposals, minutes, newsletters, photographs, audio tapes, filmstrips, and videocassette tapes.

The Resource Center for Women and Ministry in the South Records are especially relevant to the study of the relationships among religion, politics and society. In particular they document how women, especially women in ministry, have confronted a number of social issues facing the South as well as the entire United States. Information pertaining to the Equal Rights Amendment, sexism, feminism, economic justice and poverty, gays and lesbians in the Church, Central America, child abuse, abortion and the abortion controversy, racism, and rural ministry is included in the records. Information on these issues as well as others is contained in the Alphabetical Files and Printed Material series. Retreats and conferences, some organized by the Resource Center for Women and Ministry in the South, which focus on many of the above issues as well as other concerns, including gender and language, spirituality, housing and homelessness, women in ministry, health and medical care, and women in the workplace are reflected in the Alphabetical Files, Audiovisual, and Pictures series. Many of these retreats and conferences were held in North Carolina and Virginia. In the Printed Material Series, are copies of South of the Garden, a newsletter published by the Resource Center, resource packets pertaining to sexism and ministries to women in crisis among other subjects, and a number of religious newsletters that focus on women in the Church.

The records reflect the ecumenical vision of the Resource Center in that the major Protestant denominations are represented in the records. Within these denominations, women's organizations are the primary focus, including the Presbyterian Committee on Women's Concerns, the National Association of Presbyterian Clergy Women, and the United Church of Christ Clergywomen's Conference. Other religious bodies and organizations reflected in the records include the North Carolina Council of Churches - Committee for ERA, Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights, and programs for women at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Material pertaining to these organizations are primarily located in the Alphabetical Files; Financial Papers; Meetings, Conferences, and Workshops; and Printed Material series.

Significant individuals reflected in the records, primarily within the Audiovisual Series, include Rosemary Radford Ruether, Anne Wilson Schaef, Katie Cannon, and Carter Heyward. The correspondence, writings, sermons and addresses, and notes of Jeanette Stokes, Director of the Resource Center for Women and Ministry in the South, are chiefly contained in the Financial Papers; Meetings, Conferences, and Workshops; and Audiovisual series. Documents concerning the operations and history of the Resource Center, including account books, grant proposals, and incorporation materials are primarily located in the Financial Papers and Miscellaneous Series.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1977, Aug.
Incorporated as a nonprofit organization. Jeanette Stokes was listed as the incorporator and a trustee. Helen G. Crotwell and Sue Parkerson were also named as trustees
1977, Nov.
Tax exempt status approved by the Internal Revenue Service
1978
Began publishing South of the Garden, newsletter for the organization. Issued for one year at no charge
1979
Began selling subscriptions to South of the Garden
1982
Women in Ministry in North Carolina conferences begun
1984
Women, Faith and Economic Justice conferences begun
1984
Keeping Yourself Together While Changing the World conferences begun
1986
Women in Ministry in the Virginias conferences begun
1991
Published brochure, Investment That Counts: A Guide to Socially Responsible Investing for People of Faith
Acquisition information:
The Resource Center for Women and Ministry in the South Records were donated to the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library in 1991 and 1992. Additional materials have been donated in subsequent years, including 1994, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011-2012, 2014-2015, and 2018.
Processing information:

Processed by Janie Morris and Daniel Daily

Assisted by: Sandra Hack-Polaski

Date Completed: March 17, 1993

Encoded by Alvin Pollock

Updated by Meghan Lyon, 2009; Meghan Lyon and Carrie Mills, 2011, Paula Jeannet Mangiafico, 2016; Michelle Runyon, 2018.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials


Restrictions:

Access note. Original audiovisual materials are closed to use. Contact Research Services to request the production of listening copies.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in the Resource Center For Women and Ministry in the South Records have not been transferred to Duke University. For further information, see the section on copyright in the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Resource Center for Women and Ministry in the South Records, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.