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Albuquerque Women Against Rape Records

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-598-BC

Scope and Content

The collection consists of the Take Back The Night scrapbook and records of activities of other women's groups. The TBTN scrapbook contains newspaper articles and flyers documenting events and actions between 1987 and 1992. The rest of the collection contains propaganda and information on women's rights, objectives, and opinions. There is also correspondence between TBTN, several other national women's groups, and the media. Other women's groups represented include Women Against Violence Against Women; Women Against War; Women Against Imperialism; Tallahassee Feminists; Out and About; Women's Liberation Movement; Women's Pentagon Action; and the Plutonium Players. All of these groups share platforms of nonviolence. The collection also contains materials relating to the William Kennedy Smith presence in Albuquerque.

Three folders containing information about procedures at rape crisis centers, personal testimonies about rape and assault, and articles and essays about radical feminism and nonviolent direct action were added to the collection in June 2005.

Dates

  • 1975-1992 (bulk 1980-1989)

Creator

Language of Materials

English.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Organizational History

"Take Back the Night" (TBTN), is a women's volunteer group committed to education and direct action in the battle against rape and violence against women and children. Take Back the Night was started in Frankfurt, West Germany in 1977 when 3,000 women took to the streets to protest violence against women. Shortly afterward, protests followed in Britain, France, Germany, Canada, and the U.S. The march was/is TBTN's main event. Every year in most major cities, people march to reclaim the streets during the evening hours. This has become a symbol of women's freedom from fear. It is from this march that they take their name.

In 1979, there was a Take Back the Night rally in Santa Fe, and in Albuquerque, a group of women marched on the University of New Mexico (UNM) campus to the theme, "Give Us Back Our Nights," advocating the right to fearless nights. There were sporadic TBTN rallies in Albuquerque between 1980 and 1985, organized by the Rape Crisis Center. In 1985, a small ad hoc group of women activists formed the Take Back the Night committee; they began organizing the march annually. In 1988, the TBTN committee became known as Albuquerque Women Against Rape. They expanded their projects to include a demonstration at a pornography store to raise awareness about the connection between sexual violence and pornography, and an action showing support for the need for special provisions for the safety of women working nights. Prior to 1992, the group had disbanded. Several of the women were involved in forming the group, "Shakin' the Willies" in response to William Kennedy Smith's presence in Albuquerque, in 1992.

In New Mexico, TBTN is particularly concerned with violence, including pornography, rape, battering, incest, prostitution, sexual harassment, and child abuse. The women's group combats violence with demonstrations, rallies, marches, booklets, flyers, and newspaper articles, all to raise awareness. TBTN is currently affiliated with the Rape Crisis Center at the University of New Mexico and the Women's Empowerment Group of Albuquerque.

Extent

1 box (.66 cu. ft.)

Related Material

Relevant Secondary Sources

  • Sister Lode. Microfilm. Zimmerman Library. University of New Mexico.

Processing Information

3 folders added June 2005.
Title
Finding Aid of the Albuquerque Women Against Rape Records, 1975-1992 (bulk 1980-1989)
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Camelia R. Finley
Date
©2000, ©2005
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 598 BC::Albuquerque Women Against Rape Records)//EN" "nmu1mss598bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451