Dear Sisters: Dispatches From The Women's Liberation Movement

by Rosalyn Baxandall, Linda Gordon

Today's women are so comfortable in their authority that they often forget to credit the women's liberation movement of the 1960s and '70s for paving the way—from the kitchen to the boardroom, from sexual harassment to self-defense, from cheerleading on the sidelines to playing center on the team.Distinguished scholars and active participants in the movement, Linda Gordon and Rosalyn Baxandall have collected a colorful array of documents—songs, leaflets, cartoons, position papers—that illustrate the range of people, places, organizations, and ideas that made up the movement. Dear Sisters chronicles historical change in such broad areas as health, work, and family, and captures the subtle humor, unceasing passion, and overwhelming diversity that defined the women's liberation movement.

Genres: Feminism, History, Nonfiction, Social Justice, Gender, Womens Studies, Politics

336 pages, Hardcover

First published May 16, 2000

Reviews

[Tobi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of primary sources from the 1970's Women's Liberation movement is made up of work that was first available through the underground press as mimeographed flyers, pamphlets or articles. The editors were participants in the movement: Baxandall was a member of New York Radical Women and Gordon was involved with the socialist organization Bread and Roses out of Boston. Their introductory essay offers a useful theoretical outline for looking at this period of women's history that addresses relevant issues of culture and the underground press explicitly. Works are cited in their original form as much as possible but there is no extensive bibliography or detailed information on the original publications themselves. It is noted that the editors did extensive research in private collections to get their material, so this is unfortunate.

[Cara Lynn]

Read for school

[Trinity School Summer Reading]

Mary Carroll from Booklist writes, “Baxandall and Gordon…provide a documentary history of second-wave feminism from the mid-'60s to the late '70s. Their collection is notably inclusive, pulling together song lyrics and cartoons as well as manifestos and theory. Part 1, 'Origins,' collects items from the movement's early days, reflections on the New Left, documents on the new organizational forms the movement developed, and initial efforts to forge feminist theory. Part 2, 'Bodies,' covers women's health initiatives, reproductive rights, sexuality, and the related issues of objectification, harassment, and violence. Part 3, 'Institutions,' describes the movement's evolving attitudes toward family, education, work, and culture. Contributors include familiar names and obscure ones, as well as the many groups, from the Redstockings to Gainesville Women's Liberation, that contributed to the national conversation about the meaning of liberation. The editors contribute an introduction that traces the multiple misunderstandings (willful and otherwise) of feminism, outlines the political roots of women's lib, offers an overview of the movement's history, and outlines what it accomplished. Eclectic and valuable.”

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! It was great to see copies of texts, pamphlets, cartoons, etc. straight from the women's lib movement. It was a wonderful resource for several college papers, and just an all-around good read. Very inspiring. Very handy. Loved it.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent primary-source reader for the second wave of the women's movement. Many of the entries have been edited, but they read very well and are absolutely facinating.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Great!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed this book. It is a collection of documents (over a wide variety of subjects) from the second wave feminist movement. Good header notes give the documents context.

[Davida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone interested in feminism, history and activism will love this book.

[Carrie]

women's studies,American history