Women's Activism Against Sex Discrimination: The 1970 HEW Investigation of the University of Michigan records, 1999-2001

Summary

Creator:

University of Michigan. Institute for Research on Women and Gender.

Abstract:

A 2001 research project conducted through the University of Michigan Institute for Research on Women and Gender (IRWG) on the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare's (HEW) investigation of a complaint of gender discrimination at the University of Michigan in 1970. The complaint led to amendments to Title VII and to Title IX in 1972. Files include administrative files and audio cassettes of interviews.

Extent:

0.4 linear feet
17 audiocassettes

Language:

English

Call Number:

2010204 Bimu 2

Authors:

Finding aid created by Lisa Barney, November 2010

Background

Scope and Content:

The records of the University of Michigan Institute for Research on Women and Gender's research project, "Women's Activism Against Sex Discrimination: The 1970 HEW Investigation of the University of Michigan" have been divided into two series: Project Files and Interview Audiocassettes.

Biographical / Historical:

In 1970 the federal Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) launched an investigation of the University of Michigan after Ann Arbor lawyer Jean King and the group FOCUS on Equal Employment for Women (a group founded by King to address issues of sex discrimination at the university) filed a complaint against the university with the Department of Labor. The complaint prompted hearings and resulted in a 1300 page report. Ultimately it led to amendments to Title VII legislation and contributed to Title IX in 1972.

In 2001 the University of Michigan Institute for Research on Women and Gender's (IRWG) sponsored a research project to study the 1970 HEW investigation of sex discrimination at the University of Michigan. The project report was published in 2002 as IRWG working paper number 63 Women's Activism Against Sex Discrimination: The 1970 HEW Investigation of the University of Michigan. Eric A. Stein, a graduate student, conducted the research as part of a Summer Research Internship advised by Abigail Stewart, Director of the IRWG.

Using both historical documentation and oral interviews with university faculty and staff, as well as others involved in issues of sex discrimination in the 1970s, the project was an attempt to show how the 1970 HEW investigation was important to the fight against gender discrimination both at the University of Michigan and nationally.

Acquisition Information:

Received from the University of Michigan Institute for Research on Women and Gender (Donor No. 9206 ).

Accruals:

No further additions to the records are expected.

Rules or Conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Subjects

Click on terms below to find any related finding aids on this site.

Subjects:

Sex discrimination in employment -- Michigan -- Ann Arbor -- 20th century.
Sex discrimination in higher education -- Michigan -- Ann Arbor -- 20th century.
Women's rights -- Michigan -- Ann Arbor -- 20th century.
Sex discrimination in employment -- Michigan -- Ann Arbor -- 20th century.
Sex discrimination in higher education -- Michigan -- Ann Arbor -- 20th century.
Women's rights -- Michigan -- Ann Arbor -- 20th century.

Formats:

Sound recordings.
Oral history.

Names:

University of Michigan -- Employees.
University of Michigan -- Faculty.
University of Michigan. Institute for Research on Women and Gender.
Stein, Eric A.
Carpenter, Eugenia S.
Douvan, Elizabeth Ann Malcolm, 1926-
Fleming, R. W. (Robben Wright), 1916-2010.
Hollenshead, Carol.
Kaplan, Wilfred, 1915-
King, Jean.
Larimore, Ann E.
Mills, Harriet C.
Murphy, Barbara.
Neiberg, Vicki.
Ragland-Sullivan, Ellie, 1941-
Rasmussen, Susan.
Sandler, Bernice Resnick.
Sarri, Rosemary C.
Shortridge, Kathy.
Smith, Pringle.
Soules, Aline.
Wechsler, Nancy.