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Reproductive Rights National Network Records, 1972-1985Finding AidFinding aid prepared by Burd Schlessinger.2009
Administrative InformationThe Reproductive Rights National Network Records were donated to the Sophia Smith Collection by Katherine Acey beginning in 2007. Periodic additions are expected. Associated material can be found in the the Voices of Feminism Oral History Project (see Marlene Fried and Meredith Tax). Accessioned by Burd Schlessinger. Preferred CitationPlease use the following format when citing materials from this collection: Reproductive Rights National Network Records, Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College, Northampton, Mass. The papers are open to research according to the regulations of the Sophia Smith Collection with the following caveat: This collection has not been fully processed and therefore may be difficult to use. The Sophia Smith Collection owns copyright to unpublished works of the Reproductive Rights National Network in these records. Permission must be obtained to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use." Copyright to materials authored by others may be owned by those individuals or their heirs or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Permission to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use" must also be obtained from the Sophia Smith Collection as owners of the physical property. Periodic additions to collection are expected and may not be reflected in this record. Return to the Table of Contents Historical NoteThe Reproductive Rights National Network (R2N2) began in November, 1977, as a project of the Chicago-based New American Movement. The group formed in response to right-wing attacks on abortion rights, which R2N2 founders understood as one element of a backlash against recent gains by civil rights, feminist, and labor movements. The goal of R2N2 founders was to defend abortion rights while also advancing a multi-issue movement to ensure reproductive autonomy for all women by incorporating race, class, and sexuality into their work. As such, R2N2 provided an alternative to the single-issue and rights rather than access focus of the pro-choice movement. R2N2 became a separate organization in February, 1979. More than 80 member groups joined the Network, which was coordinated by a steering committee of regionally elected representatives and one national staff person in New York City. The Network published the Reproductive Rights Newsletter, held national meetings, and promoted direct action on a wide range of issues, including sex education, lesbian rights, child care, a guaranteed income, sexual harassment, militarism, national health care, sterilization abuse, reproductive hazards in the workplace, and clinic defense. Funding challenges and internal tensions over race contributed to the demise of the national organization in 1984. A Boston affiliate continued until 1995. Return to the Table of Contents Scope and Contents of the CollectionThe Records include files on the organizaiotn's political actions and activities, files on affiliate organizations, and women's clinics across the U.S. There is also information on abortion legislation and subject files concerning many related topics, including the anti-abortion movement. [NOTE: The contents list for this collection is not online. Contact the Sophia Smith Collection if you would like one sent to you.] Return to the Table of Contents Return to the Table of Contents |
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