Radical Women National Office (Seattle) records, 1976-1998

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Radical Women
Title
Radical Women National Office (Seattle) records
Dates
1976-1998 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.28 cubic feet (1 box)
Collection Number
6291 (Accession No. 6291-001)
Summary
Records of the national office of Radical Women, a socialist, feminist worker's organization based in Seattle, Washington. The records were collected and maintained by Clara Fraser, the co-founder and officer of Radical Women and the Freedom Socialist Party.
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Full processing supported by the Labor Archives Fund and the Labor Archives of Washington State Budget

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Radical Women (RW) is a socialist feminist organization. RW sought to become the socialist wing of the feminist movement. The organization was founded in Seattle in 1967 when Freedom Socialist Party co-founder Clara Fraser and her close colleague, Gloria Martin, joined with young women from Students for a Democratic Society to build women's leadership in the left and anti-war movements. In 1973, RW formally affiliated with the Freedom Socialist Party, and the party gained a sister organization. Other founding members include Melba Windoffer and Susan Stern.

RW is active in intersectional feminist socialist organizing against racism, sexism, homophobia, fascism, and labor exploitation. Their political analysis sees women's political action as essential in creating social change and trains women to lead these campaigns. They have been especially active in pressuring other feminist organizations into better representing women of color and the LBGTQ+ community.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Radical Women National Office records (1976-1998) documents the activities of the national office of the organization, based in Seattle, Washington. They were collected and maintained by Clara Fraser, the co-founder and officer of Radical Women and the Freedom Socialist Party. This collection documents the evolution and collective actions of nationally recognized socialist feminist leaders from 1976-1998. The perspectives from leaders of the national office provides context to how RW has worked and grown their organization via the aid and creation of local offices. The records are especially valuable for researchers seeking to understand how radical organizations and movements evolve and shift through decades of adversity and pushback from the mainstream media and an inhospitable political environment.

This collection provides access to communication among the local and national RW organizers as well as materials concerning mass work such as the protection of Roe vs. Wade, the Seattle City Light fight for affirmative action for tradeswomen electrical workers, the collaborative 1997 Feminist Brigade to Cuba, the landmark Freeway Hall Case, and drafts of RW literature such as the Radical Women Manifesto.

Materials include correspondence, articles, newspaper clippings, press release materials, fliers, event programs, edited drafts and speeches, itineraries, legal documents, conference/event planning, and official newsletters. The content of the materials concern the organization’s planned events, recruitment, and opening communication channels that are centered on social activism, intersectional feminism, and providing a platform for feminist speakers.

The collection is arranged into the following series which contain:

SERIES 1: ADMINISTRATIVE MEETINGS, FINANCES, AND CORRESPONDENCE, 1976-1996: RW’s National Executive Committee papers, including correspondence, records on public relations, membership, and finances.

SERIES 2: CONFERENCES AND CONVENTIONS, 1976-1998: Records documenting RW’s involvement, including statements and positions, press releases, and communication in international and regional conferences and conventions.

SERIES 3: MASS WORK, COALITIONS, AND EVENTS, 1977-1998: Materials concerning RW organized events and activism in civil rights and labor movements.

SERIES 4: PUBLICATIONS, LITERATURE, AND MEDIA, 1979-1997: Position statements, speeches, bulletins, newsletters, media coverage, and political literature related to RW.

SERIES 5: LOCAL CHAPTERS, 1977-1996: Correspondence, finances, and event materials concerning the growth and participation of local RW chapters. Despite being local chapters, they include correspondence with national leaders such as Clara Fraser and Betty Friedan. The records of the Seattle chapter especially overlaps with that of the National Office.

Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top

Forms part of the Labor Archives of Washington.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Labor Archives of Washington, University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, Radical Women National Office Records, 6291-001, Box number, Folder number

Restrictions on Use

Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

  • SERIES 1: ADMINISTRATIVE MEETINGS, FINANCES, AND CORRESPONDENCE, 1976-1996
  • SERIES 2: CONFERENCES AND CONVENTIONS, 1976-1998
  • SERIES 3: MASS WORK, COALITIONS, AND EVENTS, 1977-1998
  • SERIES 4: PUBLICATIONS, LITERATURE, AND MEDIA, 1979-1997
  • SERIES 5: LOCAL CHAPTERS, 1977-1996
    • Subseries A: Seattle, Washington Radical Women Chapter, 1977-1996
    • Subseries B: Grays Harbor, Washington Radical Women Chapter, 1982
    • Subseries C: Portland, Oregon Radical Women Chapter, 1982-1992
    • Subseries D: Los Angeles, California Radical Women Chapter, 1982-1994
    • Subseries E: San Francisco, California Radical Women Chapter, 1979-1990
    • Subseries F: Juneau, Alaska Radical Women Chapter, 1979-1982
    • Subseries G: Mankato, Minnesota Radical Women Chapter, 1992
    • Subseries H: Melbourne, Australia Radical Women Chapter, 1990

Processing Note

Labor Archives Curatorial Assistant Chelsea Davies processed and arranged the collection during the 2019/2020 academic year.

The collection was rehoused and refoldered using acid-free folders and 1 full sized records box. Preservation issues addressed include newspaper clippings buffered with acid free paper, stapled materials, rust stains and discolorations, rusty paper clips replaced with plastiklips, and thermofax documents photocopied and replaced.

The arrangement and description involved an analysis of the major themes within the collection by mapping and researching the connections among notable people, events, literature, language, and organizations. A processing plan incorporated these themes in the arrangement and description of the series and folders so that researchers could identify the potential value and relevance of the collection. The Freedom Socialist Party National Office records provided substantial context for the description and arrangement of the Radical Women National Office records due to being closely related organizations that share leadership and agendas.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Helen Gilbert, who was custodian of Clara Fraser's RW records.

Related Materials

Radical Women Seattle Office records

Clara Fraser papers

Megan Cornish papers

Heidi Durham papers

Freedom Socialist Party Seattle Branch records

Freedom Socialist Party National Office (Seattle) records

The Radical Women website has been regularly captured by the Internet Archive Wayback Machine since 2019. The snapshots can be viewed here: https://wayback.archive-it.org/3988/*/https://www.radicalwomen.org/seattle.shtml

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

SERIES 1:  ADMINISTRATIVE MEETINGS, FINANCES, AND CORRESPONDENCE, 1976-1996Return to Top

Container(s): Box-folder 1/1-32

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Nominating Committee 1976
1976-1977
1/2
Jaan Laaman International Women's Day Greeting to Freedom Socialist Party on Behalf of All Ohio Seven
1977
1/3
FBI File on Radical Women
1978
1/4
Funding and Sales 1979
1979
1/5
National Executive Committee Correspondence 1979 - Constance Scott
1979
1/6
Correspondence with Attached Schedule for Freedom Socialist Party Forum Series and Membership Drive Proposal
1979
1/7
Response to Myra T. Weiss Letter
1979-1980
1/8
Membership Recruiting
1979-1980
1/9
Seattle - Clara Fraser and Max Reigel Memos
1979-1980
1/10
Membership Correspondence
1979-1982
1/11
Committee and Branch Reports
1979-1983
1/12
Clara Fraser and Betty Maloney Memos
1980-1983
1/13
Correspondence on Finances and Fundraising
1980-1983
1/14
Sharman Haley Legal Victory Memo
1981
1/15
Report to Freedom Socialist Party
1987
1/16
Conference Coordination and National Identity
1987-1989
1/17
National Executive Committee Meeting Materials - New York City 1989
1989
1/18
Clara Fraser and Luma Nichol Correspondence
1990
1/19
Constance Scott and Guerry Hoddersen - San Francisco Meeting Correspondence
1990
1/20
Ann O'Connell [?] and Clara Fraser Correspondence - Photographing Activism
1990
1/21
Internal Conflict - Nancy Reiko Kato and Adrienne Weller
1990
1/22
Fund Drive
1990-1991
1/23
Happy International Women's Day from Clara Fraser to Merle Woo
1991
1/24
Correspondence About Finances
1991
1/25
Nancy Reiko Kato - Internal Conflicts and Political Priorities
1991-1992
1/26
Correspondence About 1991-92 Financial Reports
1992
1/27
Fund Drive Donation Allocation
1993
1/28
Correspondence Regarding Financial Reports and Fund Drive
1994
1/29
Graphic Identity Program
1995
1/30
Nancy Reiko Kato Schedules and Work Contact Information
1995
1/31
Recruitment Campaign and Finances 1995 - Nancy Reiko Kato
1995
1/32
Correspondence With National Organizer Nancy Reiko Kato
1995-1996
1/134
1980 National Radical Women Seattle Public Relations
1977-1981

SERIES 2:  CONFERENCES AND CONVENTIONS, 1976-1998Return to Top

Container(s): Box-folder 1/33-52

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/33
Annual Conference 1976 - Laura Teague Draft Report "A New Era for Women Workers, Minority Women, and Lesbians."
1976
1/34
10th Anniversary Conference - Port Ludlow 1978 (1 of 2)
1977-1978
1/34
10th Anniversary Conference - Port Ludlow 1978 (2 of 2)
1977-1978
1/35
International Meeting of Women 1977 Paris - Sandy Nelson on The American Feminist Movement
1977
1/36
National Radical Women -Washington State Conference for Women - Constance Scott Analysis
1977
1/37
Women's Studies National Conference 1981 Correspondence and Report - Constance Scott
1981
1/38
Proposal for Participation In Yellow Springs Socialist Feminist Conference - Chicago 1985 - Guerry Hoddersen Memo to Constance Scott
1985
1/39
Democratic Socialist of America Socialist Feminist Conference - Memo from Constance Scott
1985
1/40
Conference 1990 - "The Third Wave of Feminism: A Candidly Revolutionary Approach" - Santa Monica, California
1990
1/41
Conference Public Relations 1990
1990
1/42
Conference Finances 1990
1990
1/43
Proposal for Participation In Yellow Springs Socialist Feminist Conference - Chicago 1985 - Guerry Hoddersen Memo to Constance Scott
1990
1/44
1990 National Organization for Women Convention In San Francisco
1990
1/45
University of Natal Invitation - Women and Gender In Southern Africa Conference 1991
1990
1/46
First International Asian Lesbian Conference Outreach - Joanne Oligario
1991
1/47
Marxist Scholars Conference 1991 - Temple University, Philadelphia
1991
1/48
21st Century Party Convention - Washington, D.C.
1992
1/49
National Radical Women - Greetings to The World Conference - Nancy Reiko Kato and Yolanda Alaniz
1994
1/50
Gabriela Invitation - Women's International Solidarity Affair In The Philippines Conference 1994
1994
1/51
Greetings to The United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women and Non-governmental Organizations Forum 1995
1995
1/52
Stephen Durham Taller Internacional (International Workshop) At The Cuban Communist Party "Socialism Towards The 21st Century" Havana Conference 1997
1997-1998

SERIES 3:  MASS WORK, COALITIONS, AND EVENTS, 1977-1998Return to Top

Container(s): Box-folder 1/53-81

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/53
Events - Seattle 1977
1977
1/54
Sexual Politics Column - Radical Women Support Palestinian Rights - The Daily of The University of Washington 1970s
1977
1/55
Women's Rights At Crossroads - Public Forum
1977
1/56
Events 1978
1978
1/57
Greetings to The World Conference - Nancy Reiko Kato and Yolanda Alaniz
1979
1/58
Abortion and Reproductive Rights
1979-1981
1/59
Constance Scott - Mccarthyite-like Attacks on The Chico Feminist Women's Health Center
1981
1/60
Campus Radical Women Events 1981-83 - University of Washington
1981-1983
1/61
Events 1981-83
1981-1983
1/62
Ad Hoc Coalition of Women Event 1982
1982
1/63
International Women's Day 1982
1982
1/64
Coalition Fight - Seattle Reproductive Rights Alliance and National Organization for Women Censors Women of Color
1983
1/65
"National Radical Women Day" Work Party
1983
1/66
Roe Versus Wade and "FBI Versus Women"
1984-1985
1/67
Constance Scott on Women's Rights
1986-1987
1/68
Freedom Socialist Party - Freeway Hall Case Defense Committee
1990
1/69
Campus Radical Women Activity on International Women's Day 1990
1990
1/70
Petition for A Labor Party to National Organization for Women
1990
1/71
Nellie Wong Lecture on Racism, Sexism, and War - The Daily of The University of Washington
1991
1/72
International and East European Speaking Tour
1991-1994
1/73
March to Fight The Right - National Organization for Women Correspondence
1991-1996
1/74
Supreme Court Ruling In The Pennsylvania Abortion Case - Valencia Hall
1992
1/75
Socialist Feminist Study Group In Vancouver, Canada
1992
1/76
International Feminist Brigade Proposal Edits and Cuban Mission Planning
1994-1996
1/77
International Feminist Brigade, Cuba 1997 (1 of 3)
1994-1997
1/77
International Feminist Brigade, Cuba 1997 (2 of 3)
1996-1997
1/77
International Feminist Brigade, Cuba 1997 (3 of 3)
1996-1998
1/78
Freedom Socialist Party - Defense of Affirmative Action on University of California Campuses
1995
1/79
Demand to Unionize Prostitutes - Guerry Hoddersen to Clara Fraser
1995
1/80
International Feminist Brigade to Cuba Proposal - Marian Larkin Correspondence With The Federación De Mujeres Cubanas
1996
1/81
Atlanta, Georgia Abortion Clinic Bombings Statement - Anne Slater
1997

SERIES 4:  PUBLICATIONS, LITERATURE, AND MEDIA, 1979-1997Return to Top

Container(s): Box-folder 1/82-102

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/82
Executive Committee Drafts and Manifesto - Monica Hill, Constance Scott, Marcia Cutler, and Sharman Haley
1979
1/83
Publications - Newsletter and Bulletin
1980-1981
1/84
Publications
1980-1983
1/85
Constance Scott's Review of Betty Friedan "The Second Stage"
1981
1/86
Womanews Erarticle - Constance Scott
1982-1983
1/87
Fireweed Magazine Issue on Feminist Theory, Practice, and Vision
1983
1/88
Joanna Russ - Published and Upcoming Literature
1983
1/89
Manifesto
1983-1990
1/90
Article on Pornography for The Guardian
1984
1/91
Bulletin of The Centro De Documentación Sobre La Mujer - Lima, Peru
1986
1/92
Participation on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Chicago 1987 - Emily Woo Yamasaki and Karen Brodine
1986-1987
1/93
Article Submission for Spanish Feminist Party Magazine
1990
1/94
Sparkplugs of Labor - Heidi Durham and Megan Cornish
1990-1991
1/95
National Radical Women Publications - Nancy Reiko Kato - Women of Color: Frontrunners for Freedom
1990-1995
Northwest Nikkei Newspaper Article December 1995 on Nancy Reiko Kato - Sandee Taniguchi
1995
1/96
Merle Woo - Is National Organization for Women The Right Group for Lesbians? - The Advocate
1991
1/97
National Radical Women Publications - Women of Color: Frontrunners for Freedom
1991
1/98
What Have We Got to Lose? - Mary Ann Curtis of Campus Radical Women
1991-1992
1/99
Nancy Reiko Kato - Freedom Socialist Subscription Sale Story
1992
1/100
Sojourner: The Women's Forum July 1995 Page 20-21 Shared By Debra O'GARA
1995
1/101
Creative Pieces and Articles By Women Including Toni Medinicino, Clara Fraser, and Michele Wallace
1995
1/102
Listed In Emerge Magazine - March 1997 Correspondence
1997

SERIES 5:  LOCAL CHAPTERS , 1977-1996Return to Top

Container(s): Box-folder 1/103-133

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/103-120
Subseries A: Seattle, Washington Radical Women Chapter
1977-1996
Box/Folder
1/103
1977-78 Records
1977-1978
1/104
Events 1978 - Bush Mama
1978
1/105
Memos Between Clara Fraser and Mary Reeves
1978-1979
1/106
Events 1979
1979
1/107
Fundraising 1979-80
1979
1/108
Events 1979-80 - Women's Superiority
1979-1980
1/109
In The Media
1979-1981
1/110
Events 1980
1980
1/111
Events 1981
1981
1/112
Invitation from Washington Women Lawyers - Judicial Candidate Forum Night
1981
1/113
Memo Between Clara Fraser and Betty Maloney - Clique Fight 1981
1981
1/114
Seattle Radical Women Organizer Betty Maloney Correspondence
1981-1983
1/115
Events 1982 - Women In The Trades Public Forum
1982
1/116
Finances 1982 - Feminist Mobilization Fund and Memos
1982
1/117
Seattle Radical Women 1983
1982-1983
1/118
Gloria Martin Correspondence
1990
1/119
Anne Slater to Nancy Kato - New South African Canadian Member
1995
1/120
Events 1996 - Sandy Nelson Case, Same-sex Marriage, and Gay Pride
1996
1/121
Subseries B: Grays Harbor, Washington Radical Women Chapter
1982
Box/Folder
1/121
The Daily World - "Peace Bishop" Sparks Reaction By Sandy Nelson - February 1982
1982
1/122-124
Subseries C: Portland, Oregon Radical Women Chapter
1982-1992
Box/Folder
1/122
Correspondence from Branch Organizer Adrienne Weller to National Organizer Constance Scott
1982
1/123
Correspondence from Branch Organizer Adrienne Weller to Workers Vanguard
1992
1/124
Events 1979
1979
1/125-126
Subseries D: Los Angeles, California Radical Women Chapter
1982-1994
Box/Folder
1/125
Correspondence from Branch Organizer Monica Hill to National Organizer Constance Scott
1982
1/126
Correspondence from Mary Ann Curtis on New Branch Organizer Donna Ramirez and Finance Director Christine Browning
1994
1/127-129
Subseries E: San Francisco, California Radical Women Chapter
1979-1990
Box/Folder
1/127
San Francisco Committee for A Revolutionary Socialist Party Member Mike Delacour - People's Park 10th Anniversary
1979
1/128
Women Writers Union Partnership - Events and Membership
1979-1980
1/129
Membership 1990
1990
1/130
Subseries F: Juneau, Alaska Radical Women Chapter
1979-1982
Box/Folder
1/130
Letter to Sharman Haley Regarding Participation In Common Ground
1979-1982
1/131
Subseries G: Mankato, Minnesota Radical Women Chapter
1993
Box/Folder
1/131
Midwest Adventures, Outreach, and Prospects - Carolyn Kanyusik[?]
1993
1/132-133
Subseries H: Melbourne, Australia Radical Women Chapter
1990
Box/Folder
1/132
Report on Garage Sale - Alison Thorne
1990
1/133
Melbourne Radical Women Study Group- Woman Workers: Sparkplugs of Labor
1990

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Feminism--Societies, etc
  • Feminism--Washington (State)
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
  • Radicalism--Societies, etc
  • Radicalism--Washington (State)
  • Socialism--Societies, etc
  • Socialism--Washington (State)
  • Women and socialism--Societies, etc
  • Women and socialism--Washington (State)
  • Women's rights--United States
  • Women--Washington (State)--Societies and clubs

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names
    • Labor Archives of Washington (University of Washington) (host institution)