There is a change on the start date for our Researching Women’s History in Dumbarton course. Instead of Friday the 24th of February it will start on Friday the 9th of March.
We apologise to all of you who couldn’t wait to start researching your local women this Friday and we hope to see you in a couple of weeks even more eager!
To celebrate LGBT History Month, we highlight a fascinating book from the library collection which tackles the difficulties of writing lesbian history.
Have lesbians been expunged from history by academics and biographers who wish to deny their existence? The authors of Not a passing phase certainly believe so. Written in 1989 by the Lesbian History Group, this lively and contentious collection of essays attempt to redress this imbalance. As Sheila Jeffreys writes in her introduction, there are numerous reasons why writing lesbian history is so difficult. ‘Lesbians do not usually leave records of their lives…even where the documents exist, their suppression may begin immediately after the author’s death.’
Re-examining the passionate friendships of writers such as Charlotte Bronte, George Eliot, Edith Simcox, Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby; uncovering invisible networks between women; and exploring the fate of lesbians within the professions; they offer new insights into a range of literary and historical movements, and present a political approach to historical research. The feeling you’re left with after reading this book is that it’s miraculous that lesbian women’s voices have survived all these attempts throughout history to repress them. And sadly this repression is by no means a thing of the past. Because of this, we should all make sure we take the time to listen to what they have to tell us.
Why not check out some other books that might be of interest during LGBT history month?
The trials of Radclyffe Hall by Diana Souhami
The lesbian menace: ideology, identity and the representation of lesbian life by Sherrie A. Inness
Changing our lives: lesbian passions, politics, priorities by Veronica Groocock
Passions between women: British lesbian culture 1668-1801 by Emma Donoghue
Odd girls and twilight lovers: a history of lesbian life in twentieth-century America by Lilian Faderman
Irene recommends:
Absolution by Caro Ramsay
This book is about a young police constable who has been told to watch over a young girl in hospital who is in a coma after she has been assaulted. She had a baby daughter by an emergency section when brought into the hospital. He later finds out that she and her boyfriend were diamond smugglers. The young girl dies and no diamonds were ever found. Years later and the young P.C has now been promoted to Detective Chief Inspector and is put on a very different case, but back at his old station. This case is a muder case and the hunt for the killer is on.
As I read this book, I was hooked from the start. I wanted to find out if the girl would have got away if she had lived. The characters were so believable that you could almost see and hear them and the stories of their lives. The killings were so horrifying and dark that when reading the book I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to find out how and why the killer was doing it and to find out if and when he was caught that justice would be done.
I would recommend this book to read as the author has made the characters so real and the crimes so dark and horrifying that it sent shivers down my spine. It is a great thriller, I just couldn’t put it down.
To celebrate LGBT History Month, this month’s item from the Archive comes from the Lesbian Archive. In this post Alice Andrews, one of our , talks about Sappho magazine and its important role in Lesbian history.
Cover of Sappho from November 1976 showing 'the three Botticelli beauties.
Started in 1971, Sappho magazine was edited by Jackie Forster, a key member of the management committee that ran the Lesbian Archive and Information Centre (LAIC) whose archive forms a substantial part of the Glasgow Women’s Library collections.
Published monthly, Sappho was intended to act as a forum for lesbian women in the UK and elsewhere, providing women with information about groups, events and resources happening near them. From the start, the magazine intended that it should reach as wide a readership as possible, with the 7th Issue detailing events and organisations based in London, Cheshire, East Anglia, Sweden, Norway and Belgium. By its final issues, it was publishing details of organisations in Australia, the US, Canada, Finland and many other countries. As well as its international appeal, the breadth of information, local and national, the magazine provided for British lesbians was extensive, with the magazine offering contacts for groups and meetings, counselling and befriending sessions and lesbian religious organisations.
The magazine was run through voluntary contribution (even the editorial team’s contributions were voluntary), and as such relied on its readership to produce material, publicise and distribute the magazine. The fact that the magazine was able to sustain itself in this way for a decade was able reflects both the size of its readership, and the esteem in which it was held. This is not to say that contributions or help distributing the magazine were always readily forthcoming. In the issue for November 1976, a regular columnist in the magazine was impelled to write:
Either you want Sappho or you don’t. If you don’t then fine – it can fold, and each can fend for herself. If you do – and I think that lot of you do in fact value it- then get your fingers out and ACT. If you live out of London, then send some loot or write something- a letter, a poem – no-one expects you to be Dr Johnson or Virginia Woolf; and if you live in London, help with post outs and the Sappho Stall.
Rumour has it that Co-Ed [Jackie Forster] is lying heavily sedated in a darkened room, that Angie has lost three stone and twice as many lovers, and J.Y has applied for a visa in order to emigrate to Rumania; all as a result of trying to carry the whole load with too little help. Remember what John Donne said: “Never send to know for whom the bell tolls – it tolls for thee”.
That its readership had such an important role in the production of the magazine goes some way to explaining its success and its popularity. As well as this, the magazine had an open and flexible attitude to the thoughts and comments of its readership, publishing and acting on criticisms of the magazine. The esteem in which the magazine was held by its readers is unquestionable, with one reader commenting in one of the magazine’s final issues that “…it [Sappho] made me feel less alone. At first I thought I was some sort of freak and [I] need the reassurance your mag gave me.”
The magazine was published up until 1982 when it was forced to stop publication due to lack of funds. The organisation continued to keep its offices open, and to promote events and organisations for lesbians. However its influence was suddenly a lot smaller. As the later issues of the magazine show, the number of groups for lesbian and bisexual women had grown considerably in the years between 1971 and 1982, which Sappho and those attached to the organisation have to take a good deal of credit for this with the support and publicity that the magazine gave these groups.
Cover of final issue of Sappho showing 'the three Botticelli beauties' turned away to face the future
In the final issue Jackie Forster reflected on the importance of Sappho and its future;
Sappho caused me to tramp the streets for miles and miles in London and other cities bearing our beautiful banner. I have fancied, been fancied, loved and been loved, love and am loved by unique and unforgettable women. Sappho caused me to write millions and millions of words about lesbians, to lesbians and women, about being lesbian- not only in the mag, but in books and other publications…. The magazine doesn’t date like a newspaper. Our articles, stories, poems and services still operate. Our cover says it all. Remember the three Botticelli beauties – lesbian, bi and straight in full frontals? Now they are turning away to move on to what the future holds.
As a young lesbian reading Sappho today, I am certain that Jackie Forster was certainly right about the magazine’s ongoing appeal. The letters, anecdotes, poems and stories still have the power to engage, anger and amuse.
Want to find out more about Sappho and other treasures held in the Lesbian Archive? Glasgow Women’s Library, in partnership with LGBT Youth Group the Rainbow Sisters, are holding an open day to celebrate LGBT History Month. We are also recruiting volunteers at this event to help work on making the Lesbian Archive more accessible. Click here to find out more information.
If you can’t wait until then, have a look at this video featuring Pam Currie. Pam helped set up the Lesbian Treasure Trunk which will be on display during the open day.
Two Decades of Changing Minds: Pam Currie from Glasgow Women’s Library on Vimeo.
The Women of Moray project began about four years ago with the aim of redressing the gender imbalance of local history. The project has now completed a book on local women’s history. “Women of Moray” will be published on International Women’s Day, 8th March 2012 and the group are also organising a conference on women’s history at Elgin Museum in partnership with the Moray Society.
The conference is on Saturday 10th March 2012 at Elgin Museum. For more information go to www.elginmuseum.org.uk
The new What’s On at Glasgow Women’s Library guide is available to download now. This programme is packed full of activities, courses and events. There is also information about the library, our various projects and how you can join for free!
This issue includes a range of activities across Scotland for International Women’s Day and more Twentieth Anniversary news.
You can download the full programme of events here: What’s On at Glasgow Women’s Library – February to May 2012
You can also pick up a copy of the programme from the library, just pop in and see us Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm. Alternatively you should be able to find a copy in your local Glasgow City Council Library. Let us know if they have run out and we can send them more.
Some may think of work experience as a teenager’s first step into ‘the adult world’. If this is truly what that world is like, then I’m ready for it! I’m Lorna Spada, a fifteen year old student and this year, everyone was told they must attend a work placement for one week similar to the career they wish to pursue. It’s been my ambition for some years now to be a novelist, so what better way to spend the week than with books?
If I was asked to describe this week in three words I’d tell you books, inspiring women and… tea! This was clear to me from the moment I walked into the Women’s Library. I’d spent Sunday night worrying about work experience, reading up on women’s literature and surfing the library’s website. Don’t get me wrong, the revising came in handy, but there was no need to be as anxious as I was. I was welcomed in by Adele, who offered me tea and showed me around the library. Endless tea and books are pretty much my idea of heaven, so I was very happy. A few hours later, I was thinking back at how silly I’d been; I was surrounded by lovely women who all made me feel very welcome. No eating in a corner alone like I feared! This is particularly true to when I told the staff that I want more than anything to be an author. They were encouraging and seemed genuinely interested in my ambition.
Today is Friday, and I haven’t got too much to be occupied with as I’ve completed a fair lot this week. The first couple of days spent with Adele were filled by browsing the library and the archive, selecting books to borrow, adding books to the wish list, doing a book review for the website, welcoming visitors from Sweden and learning how to register borrower’s cards. On Wednesday, I met the librarian Wendy, who I’d been in contact with prior to this week. She was just as friendly in real life as on the e-mails, and we got to work straight away. Well, after our routine cup of tea that is…
I was super busy with Wendy for the next two days. If you visit the library then you can see that for yourself: I put up a new display on feminism and created little notes on each section recommending the library’s best books from that section, which is helpful for those readers who are slightly stuck on which book to borrow. Another thing I did was after reading the site’s Book Of The Month page: I chose an empowering quote from each book, printed the quotes out, laminated them and they are now on display along with the book they derive from next to them. Aside from the creative tasks I completed in the library, I have also done a fair bit of writing. On the website, I posted New books of the month for December and New books of the month for January.
Thursday was definitely the best day of the week for me, I wrote, read and used my imagination, which are some of my favourite things! As if that wasn’t enough, the staff here got me a cake and a card, which made me feel appreciated and like I was really a part of the library for this week.
I don’t even need to ponder if I will return to the library, if it wasn’t for school I’d be here on a regular basis. School doesn’t prevent me from returning completely though, as I’ve already been invited to an event for writers next week which I will be thrilled to attend, and I’ve taken out a few books already.
I didn’t come to the library in hope to learn about being a librarian, I came in hope to expand my knowledge of women’s literature and to learn how to promote books through book displays, books reviews and that is exactly what I’ve done. I wasn’t making tea, washing up and tidying like most people’s work experience. Wendy and Adele gave me tasks that would help me in the future and that wouldn’t bore me, and I am very grateful for that.
To celebrate the start of a new year and get you geared up for some feminist activism, Lorna reviews:
Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman’s Guide to Why Feminism Matters byJessica Valenti.
Despite Jessica Valenti’s book being aimed at young American women, I – a fourteen year old Brit at the time- was inspired by it and, as corny as this may sound, it changed my life.
A fresh, blunt and fun style of writing is used by Valenti to help young women make the transition from a woman that doesn’t identify herself as a feminist but has feminist values, into a proud and informed feminist.
I found this particular to my experience as before picking up “Full Frontal Feminism” I had little to none ideas on what feminism was; if I was a feminist, and like any girls my age I questioned if feminism was important in 2011. Ask me now? I’d tell you it is tremendously important. Jessica Valenti taught me that there are still countless problems caused by sexism, that have yet to be overcome, but that we are progressing.
As I mentioned earlier, I am under the target audience age. Yet, I believe that any mature teenager can handle this book. The crude language used at some points may be off-putting for people to give to their teenage relative, or for some older readers it may seem too informal. But reading this myself, knowing zilch about feminism, it was like having a conversation with a cool older sister. Forget the extremely theoretical -and slightly biased- way feminism is taught in schools, Valenti makes feminism appealing to free-thinking independent young women, whilst using shocking anecdotes and informative statistics.
As much as I’d like to preach about “Full Frontal Feminism” this entire review, I cannot recommend it to those who have read a great amount of feminist literature as it is ultimately an introduction to feminism. A must read for all those who have found themselves using the phrase: “I’m not a feminist but…”
I was hooked on the first chapter, and ready to make a change in my lifestyle on the last. Jessica Valenti involves the reader successfully by using an exercise entitled “What’s the worst thing you can call a woman?” This activity doesn’t necessarily make you a feminist, but it helps the reader recognize the state of society and it’s still present sexism.
Throughout the book, I quoted Valenti’s words continuously, one that particularly annoyed my mum is: “We’re all brought up to feel like there’s something wrong with us. We’re too fat. We’re dumb. We’re too smart. We’re not ladylike enough- stop cursing, chewing with your mouth open, speaking your mind (…) F*** that.” Following that paragraph is one that I wrote down repeatedly in my diary, it really motivated me and made me feel like I’m worth something, whatever society thinks: “You’re not too fat, you’re not too loud. You’re not too smart. You’re not unlady like. There’s nothing wrong with you.
The book really helps encourage the reader take part in feminist action whether that’s in the community or nation-wide. “It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, so long as you’re doing something. Even if it’s as simple as speaking up when someone tells a nasty-ass sexist joke.”
The final chapter is entitled “Get To It.” It gives ten columns from Violence, through to Pop Culture, Work and Money, Reproductive Rights and even Spreading the Word, each with around five bullet points on exactly how to get to it.
“Full Frontal Feminism” is lively, consistent and accessible, which is why this book has inspired so many. I handed it to my best friend straight after reading; it is vital to all young, smart and modern women.
Our new programme of events is out on 1 February 2012. It is jam packed full of fantastic activities across Scotland including things to do for International Women’s Day in March.
All programme details will be available on our website in the events calendar and printed copies will be distributed around Glasgow. Pop into your local Glasgow City Council Library to pick up your copy (let us know if they have run out as we can send more!) or come in and see us to find out more.
You can keep up to date with all our news and events by joining the library and signing up to the mailing list. It’s free and we send out monthly emails keeping you informed on the Library related news.
If you have a suggestion on a location or website where you think we should be promoting what’s on at the Library then contact us.
Their eyes were watching God, by Zora Neil Hurston
2006, Virago
Hurston created an empowering, timeless and moving novel. Janie, the main character, is a strong woman who is many readers’ hero. A masterpiece of American feminist literature, it is praised by the likes of Oprah Winfrey.
The Door, by Magda Szaba
2006, Vintage
A well structured novel that gives an account of the relationship between a writer and her housekeeper. A worthwhile read by a Hungarian author; it has been translated into over 20 languages.
Paradise, by Toni Morrison
Vintage 1999
A gripping novel that leaves the reader satisfied and delivers a deep message. Paradise is a successfully composed mystery set in 1976. It is provoking and well-paced, maybe not for the first time reader.
