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Newsletter of the Society for the History of Children and Youth

Number 3
Winter 2004

Girls' History:History of Girls
Miriam Forman-Brunell and Ilana Nash, Editors

There is much evidence to suggest that the field of Girls' Studies continues to flourish. And yet, while the number of dissertations, publications, papers, panels, films, and sites on girl-focused topics continues to grow, it is our impression that scholars with shared interests remain largely isolated from each other. Moreover, information is so widely scattered that opportunities are often missed. It is our belief that that is neither good for us nor the future of the field. Scholars' affiliation with organizations under which "girls" have been subsumed (e.g., SHCY; NWSA, etc.) has importantly served to bring girls' history from the margins into the mainstream of intellectual engagement. The subject of girls is less likely to be trivialized. Yet we suspect that broader affiliations have also undermined the development of a more cohesive scholarly community. While this column has aimed to generate a sharing of information and ideas, the paucity of contributions from members and readers suggests that it is not meeting its mission: to facilitate a broader dialogue about girls and history.

It is based on these impressions that we wonder whether we all might benefit from the development of more formalized organization that could go further in attracting and assembling scholars with similar professional interests. Thus, we propose that members consider a number of bridge-building possibilities that aim to reduce scholarly isolation and promote productive collaboration.

First, the formation of Girls' Studies Caucuses within our own Society as well as within other scholarly organizations with which we are affiliated.

Second, the creation of an "embedded conference" within our own larger conference venue.

Third (and most ambitiously) the development of a national Girls' Studies Association that would promote the development of a community of students and scholars across disciplines.

These suggestions are meant to stimulate dialogue and explore possibilities that address the needs of scholars and the best interests of the field.

We invite your comments and suggestions. What is the best way (or the best ways) to promote the historical study of girls? Please send your mesages to us at Forman-BrunellM@umkc.edu or ilana_nash@yahoo.com. We also invite you to send us news for the Summer 2004 Newsletter: announcements of books, articles, dissertations, websites, exhibits, and films of interest to readers of this column.

 

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