“The women who contributed to the archive were delighted to see documentary evidence of their activism and campaigning celebrated in the gallery and preserved in the archive for future generations to appreciate.”
Sarah Colborne, Collections Archivist
In 2018, members of the Nottingham Women’s History Group and activists involved in the 1970s Women’s Liberation Movement formed the Nottingham Feminist Archive Group (NFAG).
This community-based collective of local women collaborated with the Manuscripts and Special Collections (MSC) at the University of Nottingham to establish The Feminist Archive (East Midlands).
The partnership sought to capture the stories of second wave feminists across Nottingham and the East Midlands in a new collection that would be accessible to all in the Manuscripts reading room. The archives contain correspondence, photographs, campaign material, and the personal archives and oral histories of over 40 women. Duplicate copies of feminist magazines, held at the Nottingham Women’s Centre Library, and newsletters owned by interviewees were donated to MSC to form the Feminist Publications Collection.
To showcase these collections, MSC curated an exhibition titled ‘Dear sisters: activists’ archives’ which ran from March to September 2024 at the Weston Gallery, Lakeside Arts. MSC worked closely with NFAG to arrange the collections in a way that honoured the individual lives of the women who collected the material. They consulted NFAG members and their network of contacts in the careful production of catalogue and exhibition descriptions to ensure they addressed difficult and emotive subject matters with respect and sensitivity.
The exhibition began with a celebratory launch event, opened by the university’s first female Vice Chancellor, which reconnected a community of activists who hadn’t seen each other for decades. The exhibition featured a varied programme of curated tours, guest lectures, and talks; one focusing on the history of the ‘No More Page 3’ campaign which sparked discussions on the evolution of feminist activism. Creative highlights included zine-making workshops using blackout poetry and collage, in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University. Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East, wrote the foreword for the Dear Sisters zine which is now on sale, with proceeds going to Broxtowe Women’s Project.
‘Dear sisters: activists’ archives’ attracted over 8000 visitors in total, celebrating the successful partnership between MSC and NFAG and inspiring a diverse new audience. In terms of impact, the exhibition has led to new donations, offers of material and new partnerships with local organisations, expanding both MSC’s collections and networks. The continued knowledge and support offered by the women involved has enriched the collections and spurred interest in academic research. Undergraduate students have received new professional development opportunities through two paid summer placements to work on the collections, producing posters showcasing their experiences.
MSC hope to maintain the strong relationships they have built and collaborate on future engagement opportunities to continue preserving and honouring the achievements of local feminist activists.