Voices of Women Historians

This volume introduces readers to 20 women historians of multiple generations involved in an organization called the Coordinating Committee on Women in the Historical Profession (CCWHP). Founded in 1969, CCWHP became an active force in educating, lobbying, and promoting new awarenesses in the historical profession. Thirty years ago, women's experiences were often ignored in history textbooks, faculty were hired according to the old boy system, and young women were not encouraged to become college professors. All of the interviews in the collection are with women who have been active in the organization over time. Pioneer historians such as Gerda Lerner, who was a founder of CCWHP, are included as well as new entrants to the profession such as Crystal Feimster, a graduate student representative to the group in the 1990s. They all share something of their personal biographies as a basis for understanding their activism. Some came to the history profession with backgrounds in peace and civil rights, while others became activists thanks to discriminatory practices in academia. They all believe in synthesizing their social and professional ideals. Recommended for all libraries.February 2000

-- J. Sochen * Northeastern Illinois Universi