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LGBTQ+ Activism and Culture Resources in Smith College Special Collections

Guide to materials in Smith College Special Collections related to LGBTQ+ activism, culture, and community.

LGBTQ+ Identities at Smith College

Alumnae Oral History Project collection

CA-MS-00301 

2010 - 2018

The Alumnae Oral History Project collection is comprised of oral histories conducted with Smith College alumnae during reunion weekends from 2010 to 2017. Some interviewees may discuss the campus climate while they were students regarding lesbian and queer students. 

Celebration records 

CA-MS-00326 

1991 - 2010

The Celebration of Sisterhood began in 1991 as a Quad Vigil in order for the Smith campus and Pioneer Valley community to celebrate lesbian and bisexual connections and culture in response to a series of homophobic incident on campus. The Celebration of Sisterhood was eventually shortened to Celebration, in order for the event to be more inclusive of trans-identified persons. More information can also be found in the Special Days records. 

Green Street Lesbian Rooming House records 

SSC-MS-00554 

1977 - 1999 (Majority of material found within 1977 - 1986) 

The Green Street Lesbian Rooming House was a women's cooperative rooming house in Northampton, MA. The collection consists of house logbooks including announcements, phone messages, minutes of occasional house meetings, and personal messages between residents. The entries are revealing of the women's personal lives, daily life in the rooming house, and the Northampton lesbian community.

Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance records 

CA-MS-00112 

1971 - 2004

The records of the Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance document the student organization's history, maintenance, goals, and obstacles met while trying to attain those goals. The records also provide an insight into the social issues surrounding lesbianism and how they've changed since the organization's inception, while at the same time providing a look at the lifecycle and campus perception of the LBTA. Types of materials include correspondence, surveys, campus flyers, photographs, and newspaper articles.

Office of the President Jill Ker Conway files 

CA-MS-00071 

1973 - 2018

Jill Ker Conway was the first female president of the college, and served from 1975-1985. Race, gender, and lesbianism were major conversations on campus during her time. 

Office of the President Mary Maples Dunn files 

CA-MS-00073 

1985 - 1995 

Mary Maples Dunn was Smith's president from 1985 to 1995, an economically troubled period for the college. But the imbalanced budget was just one of the challenging issues she faced during her tenure. Campus diversity, internal communication flow, and socially responsible investment were also significant issues during her presidency.

Student Clubs and Organizations records 

CA-MS-00022

1776 - 2019 

There are several student organizations at Smith College for queer communities, and their records may be found in this collection. Some examples: 

Trans Archive Oral History Project

CA-MS-01201

2016 - 2017 

Oral history interviews with Smith College students and alumnae who identify as trans and/or non-binary, conducted by Sam Davis (Class of 2017) for his documentary project entitled "In Our Own Words: On Being Trans at Smith." The interviews explore how these trans students fit into Smith's vision of "women for the world"; how are trans students supported or unsupported by the administration and their fellow students; and issues of erasure, hypervisibility, transphobia, views about trans students within all levels of the institution, and the ongoing debate of who does and does not "belong" at Smith.

Women's Resource Center records 

CA-MS-00108 

1974 - 1995 

The Women’s Resource Center opened in the fall of 1973 and was active as a part of the Student Government Association to bring a larger understanding of women of all genders, races, religions, sexuality, classes, and backgrounds.