History becomes herstory as the University hosts the 11th Berkshire Conference

by Nicole Mikos '00

Gordon: "I think it's a chance for the University to show its commitment to women students and the development of women as professionals."

L ynn Gordon, associate professor of history and education, is chairing the Local Arrangements Committee for the 11th Berkshire Conference on the History of Women, which will be held at the University from Friday, June 4, to Sunday, June 6. The conference, which is coordinated by the Berkshire Conference of Women Historians, is held once every three years and is the largest of its kind. It attracts more than 2,000 scholars --both men and women--from around the world to celebrate women's history. Gordon talked to Currents recently about what the event means for its participants and for the University.

What is the Berkshire Conference of Women Historians and what is its value to professional women?

The Berkshire Conference of Women Historians is a professional organization of women historians. It started in the 1930s and in the 1970s began sponsoring conferences on women's history.

The Berkshire Conference on the History of Women gave people a place to talk about their research in women's history at a time when that research wasn't always welcome at mainstream historical conventions. The conference provides an alternative to the traditional academic convention. It has always been very academic and scholarly, but it also has a wonderful spirit to it. People really engage in each other's work; there's none of the "one-upsmanship" that you so often find at professional conferences. You get criticism, but it's good, supportive criticism.

What will be some of the highlights of the conference?

There will be sessions on using the Internet in teaching women's history and also on teaching women's studies on the secondary level. Several Asian activists who are working to get justice for the "comfort women" used by the Japanese military in World War II will be part of a panel on the trafficking of women. We'll be showing about a dozen films produced by women. Generally, the presentations are on topics in business and entrepreneurship; health and medicine; religion; labor; and Latina, Native American, and African-American women's history.

Who else is involved with the conference?

Many of my colleagues in the history department are presenting papers at the conference. Others are helping set up a book exhibit at the University's bookstore with books by University of Rochester history faculty and alumni. There's also going to be a reception in honor of the University's history department and its contributions to women's history.

What does it means for the history department and the University to host the conference?

I think that our history department is very well known for cultural history and the history of slavery and psychiatry. I think it is less recognized for the strong contribution the department has made and continues to make in women's history. We have two people who have won the Berkshire Conference Book Prize; we have someone who has won the Berkshire Conference Article Prize. We have many graduates and faculty who have gone on to make very fine reputations in women's history.

I think that the University of Rochester has changed quite a bit since the turn of the century when Rush Rhees threatened to quit as University president because there were women students here. I think it's a chance for the University to show its commitment to women students and the development of women as professionals.

What do you think participants will take from the conference?

Judging from my own experiences, I think they'll come away with a renewed commitment to their field. It gives us the opportunity to sit down with other professionals and discuss our work. I think they'll come away excited and inspired.