VFA was created to honor and record the history of the accomplishments of individuals active in the movement, and to preserve the movement’s history for future generations. The Pioneer Histories Project is the major means for achieving that mission through the stories of the courageous women and men who made the revolution happen. We are collecting the personal stories of both well-known and relatively unknown feminists.
We are interviewing Second Wave activists. We are collecting previous existing interviews and incorporating existing written biographies. Our goal is to create as complete a history as possible for historians – but also for the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Second Wave activists.
The work of the feminist movement is rapidly evolving. New groups, new ideas of equality for all, new causes and new activism are keeping the movement alive, well and ever-changing. The stories we are sharing through the Pioneer Histories Project have formed the foundation upon which the future is being built today.
We want future generations to understand how things were for women in 1965 – and how we changed them. We need them to know that the changes only came about through real battles. And the individual stories of the activists who made that change are the stories of the movement – in cities and towns across the country.
And while the stories we are featuring focus on their activism, all our subjects had – and continue to have – full and diverse lives in many ways.
Visit this site often to see new interviews as they are added. And please let us know about other Second Wavers who should be included by emailing us at pioneerhistories@veteranfeministsofamerica.org.
For more information on the VFA Pioneer Histories Project and how to participate, please visit the Pioneer Histories page.
The VFA Pioneer Histories Project is grateful for generous support from the Sy Syms Foundation. Copyright 2018 Veteran Feminists of America.