Feminist Periodicals Archive "The Second Wave" and "Libera", 1972-75

[Newspapers][Feminism] Archive of four feminist periodicals documenting the political, cultural, and literary output of second-wave feminism between 1972 and 1975. This collection represents diverse voices and editorial perspectives from within the women’s liberation movement, including early critiques of abortion politics, lesbian identity, feminist aesthetics, and the labor conditions of women workers. The publications emphasize grassroots authorship and collective production, and include contributions by emerging feminist writers, poets, and theorists, often working anonymously or under shared credit. Together, these serials serve as a foundational (truncated) record of radical feminist print culture during a period of rapid ideological development and public organizing. Archive includes:

[1] Libera. No. 1. Berkeley: Libera, Winter 1972. Published with the sponsorship of the Associated Students of the University of California and the Berkeley Women’s Collective, this inaugural issue presents a cross-section of feminist thought, art, and fiction from the Bay Area. Essays include “A Feminist Look at the Abortion Campaign” by Judy Syfers, “Women’s Liberation in the Media: Feminists or Female Jilters?” by Linda Koss, and “The Liberation of Clio” by Ruth Rosen. Creative content includes poems by Eva Fuchs, Ann Kim, and Margaret Schafer, and short stories by Stephanie Beecroft and Carole Malkin. The issue also features a satirical guide to patriarchal language titled “How to Degrade, Demean & Distort in Less Than 25 Steps.” Graphics by Lil Artel, Valerie Hardy, Marion Sirefman, and others are interspersed throughout.

[2] The Second Wave: A Magazine of the New Feminism. Vol. 3, No. 2. Boston: Female Liberation, Spring 1974. This issue includes wide-ranging features on feminist media, reproductive health, and international women’s struggles. Essays include “Oldies but Baddies” by Fran Taylor, “Abortion Backlash in Japan” by Nagano Yosbiko, and “Women’s Personal Issues” by Carol Pierce. A standout piece, “Quarantined Pregnancy” by Bonnie Alexander, critiques public health approaches to motherhood. Literary contributions include poetry and fiction by Rachel Faith, S.P. Wonder, and Emilie Glen.

[3] The Second Wave: A Magazine of the New Feminism. Vol. 3, No. 4. Boston: The Second Wave, Winter 1974. Features include “Transformations in the Politics of Aesthetics” by Gayle Dodson LeTourneau and Annette Tounley, “Flash Gorgon” by Fran Taylor, and “Women in Japan,” an interview conducted by Lucy Leu. Literary content includes Carole Oles’ “The Promised Land” and “Basic Training” by Betsy Sholl. The review section includes critiques of new feminist presses and memoirs, including Riverfinger Woman. Owner name “Barbara” written in pen at top right corner.

[4] The Second Wave: A Magazine of the New Feminism. Vol. 4, No. 2. Boston: The Second Wave, Fall 1975. Centered on themes of lesbian pride, abortion rights, and gendered violence. Contributions include “What Is Lesbian Pride?” by Andrea Dworkin, “Battered Lives” by Betsy Warrior, “The Trial of Joan Little” by Karen Lindsey, and “The Abortion Business” by Maggi Popkin and Debbie Rosenberg. Poetic contributions by Mary Winfrey, Miriam Dyak, and Linda Clarke are included alongside a robust review section, such as “Women Behind Bars” by the Boston Bail Project.

Overall very good condition. A content-rich archive documenting the evolution of second-wave feminist media across genres, regions, and ideological frameworks. The collection is particularly valuable for its early publication of now-canonical feminist voices and for preserving the collaborative, anti-institutional ethos of 1970s women’s liberation. (Inventory #: 21816)