Series I. WRITINGS, SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS EPHEMERA, 1918-2006 (#1.1-5.8, PD.1sl, FD.1, F+D.1, T-304.1)
Scope and Contents
Series I, WRITINGS, SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS EPHEMERA, 1918-2006 (#1.1-5.8, PD.1sl, FD.1, F+D.1, T-304.1), includes correspondence; speeches; draft and published writings; ephemera, etc. The bulk of the series consists of material from Lader's early writing career and includes draft and published articles, correspondence with publishers and editors, and clippings. Less than half of these writings document Lader's interest in reproductive rights, instead focusing on theater, children, mental health, and separation of church and state. Of particular interest are two notebooks of interview notes written by Lader while he was a foreign correspondent during the Israel-Arab War. Letters received from individuals seeking assistance in obtaining an abortion were generally sent in response to several articles published by Lader that referred to unnamed doctors who performed abortions. Many individuals were requesting contact information for these doctors. Several writers (both male and female) refer to the Vietnam War draft as a significant influence on their pregnancy planning. For example, one man writes about having just returned from a "three-year Army tour" and not being ready for a child. One woman talks about having gotten pregnant while her husband was in Vietnam. Another woman mentions that her husband could drop out of grad school to go to work so he could support the baby, but that this would make him eligible for the draft, so they want an abortion instead. Material from speaking engagements in this series consists of draft speeches and notes, programs, and conference schedules and focus on abortion law, reproductive rights, and population control and document his early activism in reproductive rights beginning in 1966. Reproductive rights ephemera consists of published and unpublished papers, fact sheets, conference materials, reports, etc., which were created by a number of pro-choice organizations including Planned Parenthood, the National Abortion Rights Action League, Medical Students for Choice, Abortion Rights Mobilization, Catholics for a Free Choice, etc. Lader's interview by Jane Knowles includes information about Lader's early writings on abortion, his referral of women to abortion providers prior to the passage of Roe v. Wade, the founding of the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws (later National Abortion Rights Action League) and legal battles encountered, and the founding of Abortion Rights Mobilization and their clinical study of Mifepristone (RU-486). Folder titles were created by the archivist. Series is arranged alphabetically.
Dates
- Creation: 1918-2006
Language of Materials
Materials in English.
Access Restrictions:
Access. Collection is open for research. An appointment is necessary to use any audiovisual material.
Extent
3.34 linear feet ((8 file boxes) plus 1 folio folder, 1 folio+ folders, 7 slides, and 1 audiotape)Physical Location
Collection stored off site: researchers must request access 36 hours before use.
Creator
- From the Collection: Lader, Lawrence (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute Repository
The preeminent research library on the history of women in the United States, the Schlesinger Library documents women's lives from the past and present for the future. In addition to its traditional strengths in the history of feminisms, women’s health, and women’s activism, the Schlesinger collections document the intersectional workings of race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class in American history.