Skip to main content

Women’s Studies Oral History Collection

 Collection
Identifier: UNMA-178

Scope and Content Note

The collection contains audio recordings of 10 interviews with people related to development of the Women’s Studies Program and the Women’s Center at the University of New Mexico. The interviews discuss the origins and development of the programs, some of the obstacles faced, and the personalities involved. The interviews were originally recorded on cassette tapes, and the material has been converted to CDs for better access. Transcripts for the interviews are not available.

Dates

  • 1998-2013

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.

Historical Note

The concept of a Women’s Studies program was discussed at UNM in the late 1960s/early 1970s by a group of students, faculty and staff. In February 1972 the Faculty Senate approved creation of a few courses in the subject area. The fall of 1972 saw the creation of the Women’s Studies Collective, which met weekly. Founding members were Beverly Sanchez-Padilla, Erlinda Gonzalez Berry, Ann Nihlen, Alesia Kunz, Marcy Levine, Lucia Valeska, and Gail Baker. Meeting weekly, the Collective worked on syllabi options, dispersed the budget and began the running of the program. Gail Baker was appointed as a half-time coordinator in 1974 and took over as the full-time Coordinator in 1975.

The Women’s Center developed concurrently as the faculty and staff pressing for the program realized the need support both inside and outside the classroom. The Women’s Center began in a little room in Mesa Vista Hall where faculty, students and the community went. In 1972 ASUNM funded the Center which then moved to a house on Las Lomas. The Center helped develop many services for women. The Center has been and continues to be an advocate for women on campus and in the community promoting the establishment and enforcement of policies and procedures which address issues of institutionalized sexism and racism, sexual harassment, and all other forms of discrimination in the classroom, on campus, and beyond.

Extent

0.2 Cubic Feet (1 Box)

Abstract

The collection contains audio recordings of 10 interviews with people related to Women’s Studies and the Women’s Center origins and development at the University of New Mexico. Originally recorded on cassette tapes, the material has been converted to CDs for better access.
Title
Finding Aid of the UNM Women’s Studies Oral History Collection, 1998-2013
Status
Completed
Author
Gabriella Reyes
Date
© 2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

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