Scope & content
This collection consists of the records of the Society for Women in Philosophy, an organization established in 1972 to support and promote women in philosophy. The collection includes newsletters, correspondence, and conference materials, dating from 1971 to 2013 and documents the organization on international, national, and regional levels.
The collection is arranged into 10 series.
Series 1, NATIONAL SOCIETY FOR WOMEN IN PHILOSOPHY, 1971-2010, includes correspondence, conference and business meeting materials, newsletters, and files related to Hypatia: a Journal of Feminist Philosophy. Of particular note are the national newsletters, which document the organization to its founding and subjects of interest to SWIP members. Topics include employment, child care at meetings and conferences, sexist language, and surnames after marriage. This series is arranged alphabetically by record type then by topic.
Series 2, EASTERN SOCIETY FOR WOMEN IN PHILOSOPHY, 1972-2007, includes the regional bylaws and constitution, conference materials, correspondence, and writings. Topics include finances, employment, and philosophical discussion of nuclear war. This series is arranged alphabetically by record type then by topic.
Series 3, MIDWEST SOCIETY FOR WOMEN IN PHILOSOPHY, 1971-2013, includes conference materials, correspondence, and files of Ladelle McWhorter, University of Richmond Stephanie Bennett-Smith Chair in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Topics include philosophical discussion of white privilege and street walking as well as discussion of the Feminist Philosophy Reader. This series is arranged alphabetically by record type then by topic.
Series 4, NEW YORK SOCIETY FOR WOMEN IN PHILOSOPHY, 1993-2020, includes conference materials, correspondence, newsletters, and writings by Marcella Tarozzi Goldsmith. This series is arranged alphabetically by record type then by topic.
Series 5, PACIFIC SOCIETY FOR WOMEN IN PHILOSOPHY, 1973-2003, is comprised of five folders of conference materials, correspondence, mailing lists, and newsletters. Topics include Hypatia: a Journal of Feminist Philosophy, and membership. This series is arranged alphabetically by record type.
Series 6, SOUTHEASTERN SOCIETY FOR WOMEN IN PHILOSOPHY, 1982-1983, contains one folder of correspondence regarding the establishment of the division.
Series 7, SOUTHERN SOCIETY FOR WOMEN IN PHILOSOPHY, 1973-1983, contains one conference agenda.
Series 8, SOUTHWESTERN SOCIETY FOR WOMEN IN PHILOSOPHY, 1978-1982, contains one folder of newsletters.
Series 9, CANADIAN SOCIETY FOR WOMEN IN PHILOSOPHY, 1978-1979, contains a conference packet, correspondence regarding the state of the division and its plan for the future, and a flyer. This series is arranged alphabetically by record type.
Series 10, RESTRICTED MATERIALS, 1977-1999, contains membership information for the national Society for Women in Philosophy and eastern and pacific divisions. This series is arranged alphabetically by division then chronologically. This series is closed until January 1, 2037 at which point the documents will be available without restriction.