Subseries B. The Feminist Party, 1970-1994 (#21.13-22.9)
Scope and Contents
Subseries B, the Feminist Party, 1970-1994 (#21.13-22.9), contains correspondence, clippings, legal documents, mailing lists, notes, etc., pertaining to the Feminist Party, which Kennedy helped found in November 1971, when she grew dissatisfied with the hierarchy and power dynamics within the National Organization for Women (NOW). In 1972 the party nominated Shirley Chisholm for President. The bulk of this subseries contains legal documents pertaining to the Feminist Party's proceedings against the Catholic Church. In 1972, Kennedy led the Party in filing a complaint against the Archdiocese of New York with the Internal Revenue Service, charging that the Church violated the requirements governing tax-exempt organizations. She argued that the Church used its funds to influence legislation against abortion and support certain political campaigns; such activities constituted illegal political lobbying. Therefore the lawsuit demanded that the federal government rescind the tax-exempt status of the Church and other anti-abortion lobby groups. This subseries contains materials documenting that complaint, including clippings from small or obscure publications; clippings from mainstream newspapers have been discarded (unless annotated). General materials about the group appear first (#22.3 includes song lyrics, many written by Kennedy and Diane Schulder (later Abrams), that promoted feminist politics. Titles include: "Gotta Get Rid of Richard Nixon," "Move on Over: the Battle Hymn of Women"); these are followed by folders containing materials primarily about the Catholic Church; the series ends with printed materials distributed by pro-life groups.
Dates
- Creation: 1915-2004
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1947-1993
Language of Materials
Materials in English.
Access Restrictions:
Access. Although most of the papers are open for research, the following are closed as noted: legal cases found throughout #9.13-17.6, and other folders access to which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. An appointment is necessary to use any audiovisual material.
Extent
15.1 linear feet ((31+1/2 file boxes, 1 folio box, 1 carton) plus 4 folio folders, 2 folio+ folders, 1 oversized folder, 15 photograph folders, 211 videotapes, 1 motion picture)Creator
- From the Collection: Kennedy, Florynce, 1916-2000 (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.