Archive Find #2 : TWWA Gatherings

This second #Archivefind also comes from the Third World Women’s Alliance (TWWA) papers found at the Sophia Smith College Archives.

I have selected a few fliers that speak to one kind of work that these Third World Women and People’s collectives did in the 70’s, which is materializing these collective spaces and making visible their organizing. One of the fliers calls for a picnic and the other two are about organizing for International Women’s Day.

The TWWA states throughout its mission statement and organizational goals that of primary importance is ensuring that all meetings and events account for the children of the women and organizers that come out to these events; which meant setting up a Committee on Childcare and ensuring all events are child friendly or has a sister to watch the kids.

These organizers were also adamant about making these spaces and the knowledges and ideas that came out of these spaces to be accessible.

I am reading these priorities into these fliers to be able to imagine the spaces they created and shared. While we can never fully piece together their full story through the archives and materials they left behind, we can learn and take away elements that resonant with us. In envisioning the spaces I hope to create in the gatherings for my project, I will be drawing from these priorities and literally taking from these fliers to create a collaborative zine.