First Meeting for Scholar and Feminist IV, 1976, page 2
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As a concrete suggestion, it was asked that a speaker be sought who was analyzing in a scholarly way the effect of hierarchy on feminist conscious- ness. A few women were suggested, but it was agreed that discussion of specific speakers for the conference be put off until a later meeting. The question of the role of the feminist scholar within hierarchical institutions led to considerable discussion. There was difference of opinion on the issue of whether feminism implies an ideal of collective work. Some saw a dichotomy between such a proposed ideal and the individ- ualistic, competitive reality of an academic institution. Others disagreed. It was proposed that concrete ways be sought to represent the contradictions between “collective” and "individual" work and achievement. It was sug- gested that perhaps one speaker or workshop could concentrate on the prob- lems of collective structure (e.g. a collectively organized editorial board), It was then pointed out that a focus on the problems of organiza- tion would fail to incorporate the balance of scholarly and feminist con- cerns that has characterized past conferences, though some present believed that a feminist conference ought not to separate practical politics from academics. The problem was finally posed as a question: is hierarchical structure really reflective of an essentially "male" perspective or is it in fact necessary? The diverse problems of collectivity vs. individualism, communalism vs. hierarchy, objective vs. subjective, male vs. female and so forth, were summed up by a statement that the discussion seemed to return again and again to the questions of dualism, division and hierarchy. It was generally felt that this might be a focus or at least a starting point for future discussion. It was suggested that in discussing the theme for the 1977 conference, it ought to be remembered that former conferences had established a sort of continuum of theme and that this might perhaps suggest at least a direction for discussion - that is, where do we go from “The Search for Origins?” Hester Eisenstein, a former conference coordinator, cautioned that a theme should not be chosen too quickly, that it was important to continue discussion. Thursday, September 30, at 12:30 p.m., was the date set for the next plan- ning meeting, which will also be held in the Women's Center. It was an- nounced that the scheduled date for the conference is April 23, 1977. Those present: Julia Chase, Wanda Chin, Carol Christ, Doris Coster, Hester Eisenstein, Mary Farrington, Barbara Gutierrez, Jane Gould, Emily Heilbrun, Barbara Hertz, Judy Johnston, Rena Krakow, Sue Libow, Linda Marks, Ellen McManus, Nancy Miller, Elizabeth Minnich, Joan Peters, Esther Rowland, Sue Sacks, Maria von Salisch, Carrie Sandin, Joan Storey, Suzanne Wemple, Jill Wenig