Multiracial activism around reproductive rights in America from the second wave of feminism
This thesis examines the relationship between reproductive rights activism and white feministsâ efforts to work multiracially between the years 1977-1989. It charts a shift from strategies that focused on white womenâs âoutreachâ and ârecruitmentâ to those that were more concerned with coalition-building and anti-racism work. The second part of the thesis considers the ways that white feminists have interpreted right-wing threats, both to reproductive rights and to their own ability to shape feminist narratives â and, in turn, how those interpretations affected their efforts to work multiracially. This thesis examines four major case studies: the 1977 National Womenâs Conference, the Reproductive Rights National Network (active c.1978-1984), the Marches for Womenâs Lives in 1986 and 1989, and the In Defense of Roe conference held in 1989. It draws on oral history interviews and archival research to identify several overarching themes that have characterised white womenâs efforts towards multiracial activism: networks, education, racially autonomous spaces, and narrative creation. The original contribution to knowledge of this thesis is twofold. Firstly, it departs from existing scholarship
Peck, Sabina Josephine
Multiracial activism around reproductive rights in America from the second wave of feminism. This thesis examines the relationship between reproductive rights activism and white feministsâ efforts to work multiracially between the years 1977-1989. It charts a shift from strategies that focused on white womenâs âoutreachâ and ârecruitmentâ to those that were more concerned with coalition-building and anti-racism work. The second part of the thesis considers the ways that white feminists have interpreted right-wing threats, both to reproductive rights and to their own ability to shape feminist narratives â and, in turn, how those interpretations affected their efforts to work multiracially. This thesis examines four major case studies: the 1977 National Womenâs Conference, the Reproductive Rights National Network (active c.1978-1984), the Marches for Womenâs Lives in 1986 and 1989, and the In Defense of Roe conference held in 1989. It draws on oral history interviews and archival research to identify several overarching themes that have characterised white womenâs efforts towards multiracial activism: networks, education, racially autonomous spaces, and narrative creation. The original contribution to knowledge of this thesis is twofold. Firstly, it departs from existing scholarship
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