Lesbians in Prison: The Making of a Threat
A scandal at a Massachusetts women's prison marked a change in the construction of the "dangerous" female homosexual.
When Eartha Kitt Condemned Poverty and War at the White House
It was supposed to be a genteel luncheon with the first lady dedicated to discussing crime policy. The chanteuse had other ideas.
Scientists vs. Animal Welfare Activists in the 1920s
The movement against vivisection—experiments involving live animals—swelled with women. A group of scientists was determined to stop them.
Consciousness-Raising Groups and the Women’s Movement
In the 1970s, one of the most powerful tools of feminism came from speaking out loud the nature of oppression.
The Hellfire Preacher Who Promoted Inoculation
Three hundred years ago, Cotton Mather starred in a debate about treating smallpox that tore Boston apart.
Suffrage and Polygamy in Utah
Women began voting legally in Utah Territory in 1870, only to have that right taken away from them later.
How NOW Started Standing Up for Lesbians
If it had been up to national leaders alone, it might have taken much longer.
Why Black Women Activists Started Wearing Denim
Members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee adopted denim clothing for activist work. This had special significance for Black women.
How the Media Can Define Terrorism
Two scholars argue that the language used to describe violent events influences whether people see it as terrorism—with real-world consequences.
Lydia Maria Child and the American Way of Censorship
Facing ostracism by literary elites and attacks from pro-slavery mobs, an abolitionist blunted her politics.