by Feminism, Newspaper
[Feminism] Archive of 7 issues of Ain’t I a Woman?, a radical feminist newspaper published by the Publications Collective in Iowa City, Iowa, during the height of the Women’s Liberation Movement. Produced by and for Midwestern feminists, Ain’t I a Woman? provided a crucial platform for discussions on sexism, racism, class struggle, and LGBTQ rights, reflecting the intersectional approach emerging within second-wave feminism. The title references Sojourner Truth’s famous 1851 speech, signaling the publication’s commitment to an inclusive feminist discourse that acknowledged the unique struggles of working-class women and women of color. The paper emerged in 1970, the same year that saw major feminist milestones such as the nationwide Women’s Strike for Equality and growing radical activism from groups like the Redstockings and the Weather Underground. Ain’t I a Woman? was part of a grassroots media movement that sought to challenge mainstream narratives and mobilize women into action. The newspaper blended political essays, personal narratives, poetry, and artwork, making it a vital artifact of feminist organizing in the Midwest.
[1] Ain’t I a Woman?, Vol. 1, No. 3 (July 24, 1970) This issue focuses on mental health, gender roles, and feminist consciousness-raising, with an emphasis on rejecting patriarchal definitions of womanhood. The cover features a bold woodcut-style illustration of a woman’s face, reflecting the newspaper’s handmade, collective aesthetic. Articles discuss alternative models of education, critiques of marriage, and the importance of women reclaiming their voices. The spread includes a stark illustration of a distressed woman overlaid with the words “Don’t Go,” emphasizing the issue’s exploration of women’s emotional struggles under patriarchy.
[2] Ain’t I a Woman?, Vol. 1, No. 9 (November 20, 1970) This issue features a photographic cover of a woman staring defiantly at the reader, reinforcing the feminist reclamation of self-representation. Inside, articles address the oppression of women in prison, the role of the CIA in global conflicts, and the intersection of capitalism and sexism. A bold, illustrated fist with the word “BAM!” appears in the letters section, symbolizing feminist resistance. The issue highlights the paper’s growing radicalization, engaging with broader revolutionary politics and advocating for direct action.
[3] Ain’t I a Woman?, Vol. 1, No. 10 (December 11, 1970) This issue continues the newspaper’s critical engagement with both personal and political struggles, including articles on high school women’s activism, the fight for women’s centers, and letters discussing feminist strategy. The cover features a striking black-and-white design with hand-drawn imagery of women, reinforcing the publication’s grassroots nature.
[4] Ain’t I a Woman?, Vol. 2, No. 1 (July 30, 1971) This issue features a quote by Soujourner Truth and includes topics on class consciousness, how to perform basic manual labor commonly performed by men such as changing oil in a car. Bold graphic illustration of expressive women are featured on the front page.
[5] Ain’t I a Woman?, Vol. 2, No. 2 (August 27, 1971) This issue further seeks to dismantle patriarchal imperialism, and features poetry and short stories, one of such called "A Gay Fairytale or a Lesbian Plot" and features a somber photograph of a woman's face on the front cover.
[6] Ain’t I a Woman?, Vol. 2, No. 3 (October 15, 1971) This issue has a particular focus on labor activism and class consciousness. The first two page spread seeks to aid women in finding direction with their careers, a large table features welfare rights, and other articles discuss criticisms of liberalism through the lens of feminism, and counseling.
[7] Ain’t I a Woman?, Vol. 2, No. 4 (November 19, 1971) This issue emphasizes self medical care and criticizes the medical industry and their misdiagnoses of women and reproductive health. Some graphic imagery of a "menstrual extraction" and an illustration of instructions on how to examine oneself for breast cancer is featured.
Women’s Liberation Front publications like Ain’t I a Woman? played a crucial role in shaping feminist discourse outside of major urban centers. While feminist activism of the 1970s is often associated with New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, this newspaper highlights the movement’s presence in the Midwest, where women were organizing around issues of reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, and anti-war activism. The DIY nature of Ain’t I a Woman? aligns with the broader feminist press movement, which saw women creating their own media to challenge male-dominated narratives in both mainstream and underground publications. All three issues exhibit expected wear for newsprint materials of this era, with slight yellowing, minor chipping at the edges, and light creases. The ink remains bold, and the pages are intact. Overall very good condition. Ain’t I a Woman? remains a powerful testament to the grassroots activism of the Women’s Liberation Movement documenting the rise of radical feminist thought in the Midwest. (Inventory #: 21417)
[1] Ain’t I a Woman?, Vol. 1, No. 3 (July 24, 1970) This issue focuses on mental health, gender roles, and feminist consciousness-raising, with an emphasis on rejecting patriarchal definitions of womanhood. The cover features a bold woodcut-style illustration of a woman’s face, reflecting the newspaper’s handmade, collective aesthetic. Articles discuss alternative models of education, critiques of marriage, and the importance of women reclaiming their voices. The spread includes a stark illustration of a distressed woman overlaid with the words “Don’t Go,” emphasizing the issue’s exploration of women’s emotional struggles under patriarchy.
[2] Ain’t I a Woman?, Vol. 1, No. 9 (November 20, 1970) This issue features a photographic cover of a woman staring defiantly at the reader, reinforcing the feminist reclamation of self-representation. Inside, articles address the oppression of women in prison, the role of the CIA in global conflicts, and the intersection of capitalism and sexism. A bold, illustrated fist with the word “BAM!” appears in the letters section, symbolizing feminist resistance. The issue highlights the paper’s growing radicalization, engaging with broader revolutionary politics and advocating for direct action.
[3] Ain’t I a Woman?, Vol. 1, No. 10 (December 11, 1970) This issue continues the newspaper’s critical engagement with both personal and political struggles, including articles on high school women’s activism, the fight for women’s centers, and letters discussing feminist strategy. The cover features a striking black-and-white design with hand-drawn imagery of women, reinforcing the publication’s grassroots nature.
[4] Ain’t I a Woman?, Vol. 2, No. 1 (July 30, 1971) This issue features a quote by Soujourner Truth and includes topics on class consciousness, how to perform basic manual labor commonly performed by men such as changing oil in a car. Bold graphic illustration of expressive women are featured on the front page.
[5] Ain’t I a Woman?, Vol. 2, No. 2 (August 27, 1971) This issue further seeks to dismantle patriarchal imperialism, and features poetry and short stories, one of such called "A Gay Fairytale or a Lesbian Plot" and features a somber photograph of a woman's face on the front cover.
[6] Ain’t I a Woman?, Vol. 2, No. 3 (October 15, 1971) This issue has a particular focus on labor activism and class consciousness. The first two page spread seeks to aid women in finding direction with their careers, a large table features welfare rights, and other articles discuss criticisms of liberalism through the lens of feminism, and counseling.
[7] Ain’t I a Woman?, Vol. 2, No. 4 (November 19, 1971) This issue emphasizes self medical care and criticizes the medical industry and their misdiagnoses of women and reproductive health. Some graphic imagery of a "menstrual extraction" and an illustration of instructions on how to examine oneself for breast cancer is featured.
Women’s Liberation Front publications like Ain’t I a Woman? played a crucial role in shaping feminist discourse outside of major urban centers. While feminist activism of the 1970s is often associated with New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, this newspaper highlights the movement’s presence in the Midwest, where women were organizing around issues of reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, and anti-war activism. The DIY nature of Ain’t I a Woman? aligns with the broader feminist press movement, which saw women creating their own media to challenge male-dominated narratives in both mainstream and underground publications. All three issues exhibit expected wear for newsprint materials of this era, with slight yellowing, minor chipping at the edges, and light creases. The ink remains bold, and the pages are intact. Overall very good condition. Ain’t I a Woman? remains a powerful testament to the grassroots activism of the Women’s Liberation Movement documenting the rise of radical feminist thought in the Midwest. (Inventory #: 21417)
(818) 224-4555
