Series II. CORRESPONDENCE, 1962-2007, undated (#9.10-22.8, PD.4-PD.5)
Scope and Contents
Series II, CORRESPONDENCE, 1962-2007, undated (#9.10-22.8, PD.4-PD.5), includes letters, notes, and cards with family, friends, and colleagues. The letters cover all aspects of Seaman's life including marriage, motherhood, feminism, domestic abuse, teaching, lecturing, and writing. Correspondents includes other well known feminists Gloria Steinem (#20.24), Shere Hite (#15.4-15.5), Mary Jean Tully (#21.9), Ti-Grace Atkinson (#11.2 and 16.17), Byllye Avery (#11.3), Judy Norsigian (#18.22), Audrey Flack (#13.15-13.16), and Alice Wolfson (#22.1). Topics include the Ms. "Women of the Year Breakfast" in 2001 (#20.24), Veteran Feminists of America (#18.22), and Tully's leaving the New York Women's Forum due to its ties to the International Women's Forum (#21.9). Seaman tried to help promote Hite's book Women and Love, as Hite was facing criticism in the US for The Hite Report (#15.5). Audrey Flack, a sculptor famous for her photo-realist art was a long-time Seaman friend. She hosted the book party for the 25th anniversary edition of The Doctor's Case Against the Pill (#13.16). Alice Wolfson is a women's health advocate who played a crucial role in securing patient package information inserts with Seaman (#22.1). Also included is correspondence regarding Seaman's appearance with Barbara Walters and Dr. Martin Stone on the Today Show in 1972. During the show, Seaman began calling Dr. Stone by his first name; this caused a flurry of viewer mail to the Today Show. Seaman was friends with many other writers such as Darius James (#16.4), Sandor Katz (#16.13), and Jon Salem (#19.32) and received manuscripts and book proposals from them which are included in their correspondence. Also of note are the pamphlets The Little Prick: A Feminist Views and Exposes the Man and His Attitudes by Zizi (#11.35). The series is arranged alphabetically.
Dates
- Creation: 1933-2008
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1966-2006
Language of Materials
Materials in English.
Access Restrictions:
Access. The collection is open to research, with the exception of the following: folders #1.10-4.8 and 6.4-7.5 are closed until the death of Milton Forman; #7.6 is closed until the death of Gideon Seaman; and #5.1-6.3 and 8.10-9.2 are closed until the deaths of both Milton Forman and Gideon Seaman. Folders #48.3-48.4 are closed until January 1, 2075. Individual items throughout the collection are closed as specified. Researchers must obtain the written permission of the NARAL Executive Committee to view #Vt-242.1 - Vt-242.3. An appointment is necessary to use any audiovisual material.
Extent
21.06 linear feet ((50 + 1/2 file boxes) plus 1 folio+ folder, 1 oversized folder, 8 photograph folders, 32 audiotapes, 4 videotapes, 3 CDs, 1 DVD, 6 objects).04 Megabytes (1 file)
Creator
- From the Collection: Seaman, Barbara (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.