Zillah Eisenstein papers (Ms.2011.022)

This collection consists of the papers of Zillah Eisenstein, scholar of feminist theory and Professor of Politics at Ithaca College from approximately 1966 to 2011. The collection documents Eisenstein's personal life, academic career, and broad research interests. Topics include Eisenstein's experience with breast cancer and her academic interests in global feminism, socialist feminism, neoliberal and capitalist critic, anti-racism, gender equality, cyberfeminism, the George W. Bush administration and the War on Terror. The collection is largely composed of materials related to courses taught by Eisenstein at Ithaca College, including syllabi, assignments, notes and subject files. The collection also contains biographical materials, correspondence, talks, writings, subject files and print materials.

Eisenstein said of her collection, "I teach with all, and from dispersed sites and kinds of info… so I am sure that the materials might seem disjointed in a sense, but they are not. (Actually I teach to create a kind of disjointedness, and from this uncomfortable place is where thinking happens…)."

The collection arrived to the Pembroke Center Archives in batches and as such, has been processed over time. It was orignially processed by Elizabeth Mather in approxiately 2011 and then by Crystal Johnson in 2017. It was intellectually rearranged/streamlined by Mary Murphy, Pembroke Center Archivist, in 2019.

Series I, Biographical and Career Development, 1977-2009, contains articles about Eisenstein, awards and honors, correspondence, interviews, other personal material, resumes, grant and fellowship applications and sabbatical materials. Folders are arranged alphabetically by record type.

Series II, Activism, 1989-2006, contains project files documenting Eisenstein's social justice work including her involvement with middle schools. Files are arranged chronologically, then alphabeitcally by subject.

Series III, Course Materials and Related, 1966-2011, contains syllabi, course readings, assignments, notes and subject files arranged alphabetically by course title into 27 sub series. Note that subject files located within the Feminist Theories subseries are arranged into three categories: "western white feminism," "third world feminism," and "Eastern European feminism." These categories are detailed in the syllabus for the course and have been mirrored in the arrangement by the processor. In the Socialist Feminism subseries, subject files are arranged alphabetically but end abruptly with "feudalism."

Series IV, Conferences and Related, 1972-2005, contains drafts of conference papers, presentations, and related conference materials. Items are arranged chronologically, then alphabetically by host organization/conference location.

Series V, Writings and Related, 1974-2009, contains articles, book proposals, manuscript drafts, papers and a poem written by Eisenstein. Also included are book reviews, publishing and publicity materials related to works by Eisenstein.

Series VI, Subject Files, 1972-2005, contains general research files maintained by Eisenstein that do not correspond with a specific course or publication. Files are arranged alphabetically by subject into 2 subseries: people and topics. Note that throughout the subject files, users will find original writings and "thoughts" by Eisenstein as well as clippings, notes, research articles, and some correspondence. This series contains rich material on topics ranging from Eisenstein's struggles with Breast cancer to the singer, Beyonce, Hillary Rodham Clinton and the 2016 United States Presidential election. Subject files located in other series of the collection contain similar materials.

Series VII, Print Materials, 1966-2003, contains newsletters, journals and pamphlets collected by Eisenstein. "Families" by Linda Gordon is referenced repeatedly throughout the collection.

Series, VII, Photographs, 1984-2008, contains a small batch of personal photographs documenting Eisenstein's wedding and treatment for breast cancer. Series 8 is arranged alphabetically by subject

Series IX, Oversize material, n.d., consists of one oversize folder of posters and a booklet of portraits of Eisenstien.

Series X, Electronic records on removable carriers, 2006, consists of one folder of CD-Rs containing presentation slides and scanned clippings.