Women's Studies

Background Research

The items listed below are meant as a starting point for your research, and are by no means comprehensive. General reference works such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, and directories offer background information, and quick answers to specific questions.  Included are several works that will provide a general introduction to research in women’s studies.

Encyclopedias | Dictionaries | Directories | Handbooks and Guides | Books on Feminist Theory | International Perspectives

Encyclopedias

Encyclopedia of women and sport in America, (Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 1998),  *R-MV-98-5681.

Encyclopedia of women’s associations worldwide: a guide to over 3,400 national related organizations, (London; Detroit: Gale Research, 1993),  Pub. Cat. 94-7442.

Fast, Timothy,  The women’s atlas of the United States,  (New York: Facts on File Publications, 1995),  *R-SN 98-8492.  Includes demographics and statistics on women’s education, employment, family, health, and politics.

Frauenlexicon: Wirklichkeiten und Wunsche von Frauen,  (Freiberg, Germany: Herder, 1991),  JFD 92-2457.  A comprehensive German women’s encyclopedia and dictionary.  

Routledge international encyclopedia of women: global women's issues and knowledge,  (New York: Routledge, 2000), 4 volumes,  *R-SN 01-8657.  Contains  900 articles on contemporary women’s issues.

Walker, Barbara G,  The woman’s encyclopedia of myths and secrets,  (San Francisco, CA: Harper & Row, 1983),  *R-ZAB 84-1110.  A 1,124 page book on feminist symbolism, rituals, and goddesses.

Women in the Third World: an encyclopedia of contemporary issues,  edited by Nelly Stromquist, (New York: Garland, 1998),  *R-SN 98-13344.

Women's firsts,  (Detroit: Gale Research, 1997), *R-SNB 98-8491.  Lists world records and bibliographies of women’s accomplishments.

Women's studies encyclopedia,  edited by Helen Tierney, revised and expanded edition, (New York: Greenwood Press, 1999), 3 vols.,  *R-SN  00-5712.

A women's thesaurus: an index of language used to describe and locate information by and about women,  (New York: Harper & Row, 1987),  *R-SN 87-6000.

Dictionaries

Boles, Janet K,  From the goddess to the glass ceiling: a dictionary of feminism,  (Lanham, MD: Madison Books, 1996),  JFE 96-13764.

Dickstein, Ruth,  Women in LC's terms: a thesaurus of Library of Congress subject headings relating to women, (Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 1988),  JLE 88-3183.  Identifies subject terms relating to women within the Library of Congress subject headings system. (See also Using the Library’s Catalogs.)..

Kramarae, Cheris,  Amazons, bluestockings and crones: a feminist dictionary,  (London: Pandora, 1992),  JFE 94-1885.  Provides lively definitions of such terms as "heterosexualize" and "male chauvinist pig."

Directories

Directory of financial aids for women,  (Los Angeles, CA: Reference Service Press, 1978- ),  current edition available in Pub. Cat. 94-377; earlier editions in JFM 83-65.  Scholarships and fellowships for women.

Directory of national women’s organizations,  (New York: National Council for Research on Women, 1992- ).  Current edition available in Pub. Cat. 93-153; earlier editions in JFM 93-72 and JBM 93-893.  Entries include description, areas of focus, services, publications, meetings, and target groups.

Directory of women's media, (Washington, DC: Women's Inst. for Freedom of the Press, 1988- ), current issue available in Room 108 and in *R-Econ. Z7962.I52; back issues in JLM 88-1268. International lists of periodicals, publishers, news services, speakers’ bureaus, radio and TV programming, bookstores, and more.

Fallon, Helen,  WOW Women on the Web,  (Dublin, Ireland: Women’s Education  Research and Resource Centre, 1998),  JFG 98-720.

National directory of women-owned business firms, (Lombard, IL: Business Research Services, Inc.), current edition in  *R-SIBL HD2346 .U5 N333; earlier editions back to 1986 are in JBM 92-930.

National women’s information exchange directory,  (New York: Avon Books, 1994), JFD 00-1656.  A directory of U.S. women’s resources; includes educational, business, anti-violence, political, spiritual, and social groups.

Pack, Ellen,  Women's Wire Web directory. (Emeryville, CA: Lycos Press, 1997),  JFF 00-2426 and  *WGC-1365.  Introduces the Internet for women and contains annotated lists of web sites by subject.

Penn, Shana,  The women’s guide to the wired world: a user-friendly handbook and resource directory,  (NY: The Feminist Press at the City University of New York, 1997),  JFE 98-5136.

Women's organizations: a New York City directory,  (New York: Commission on the Status of Women, 1982),  latest editions[current edition?] available in Pub. Cat. 97-1410 and *R-SIBL HV1447.N5W65; earlier editions in JBL 91-244 and JFL 94-303.    

Handbooks and Guides

Barnard, Josie,  Virago woman’s guide to New York,  (London: Virago, 1993),. JFC 99-464.  A woman’s travel guide to the city, offering advice, information, maps, and recommendations.

Blair, Kristine and Pamela Takayoshi,  Feminist cyberscapes: mapping gendered academic spaces, (Stamford, CT: Ablex Pub., 1999),  JFE 01-1896.

Brennan, Shawn,  Resourceful woman,  (Detroit, MI: Invisible Ink, 1994),  *R-SN 95-130.  Subject-oriented chapters highlight U.S. organizations, publications, videos, libraries, government agencies, and more.

Harcourt, Wendy,  Women@Internet : creating new cultures in Cyberspace,  (London; New York: Zed Books, 1999), JFD 99-11057.

Kerschen, Lois,  American proverbs about women: a reference guide,  ( Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1998),  JFE 98-8703.

Library and information sources on women: a guide to collections in the greater New York area,  (New York: Feminist Press at the City University of New York, 1988),  Pub. Cat. 89-126.  Dated but still useful.

Neft, Naomi,  Where women stand: an international report on the status of women in over 140 countries, 1997-1998, (New York: Random House, 1997),  JFE 98-5117.

Nordquist, Joan,  Women and cyberspace: gender issues: a bibliography,  (Santa Cruz, CA: Reference and Research Services, 1998),  JFD 99-10155.

The Quotable woman, 1800-1981,  (New York: Facts on File, 1982),  *R-NAY 83-229. Includes quotations on more than 1,400 women.  Arranged chronologically, with biographical and subject indexes.

The Quotable woman, from Eve to 1799,  (New York: Facts on File, 1985),  *R-NAY 85-1135. Chronological arrangement of quotations from more than 800 women.  Separate section of quotations from the Bible.

Read, Phyllis J.,  The book of women’s firsts: break-through achievements of almost 1000 American women,  (New York: Random House, 1992),  Pub. Cat. 93-22.

Sisterhood is global : the international women's movement          anthology,  compiled, edited, introduced, and with a new preface by Robin Morgan,  (New York: Feminist Press at City University of New York, 1996),  JFE 97-456.

Snyder, Paula,  The European women’s almanac,  (London: Scarlet Press, 1992),  *R-SN 92-19567.  Offers statistics, information, and commentary on the socio-economic position of European women.  Arranged by country.

Statistical record of women worldwide,  (Detroit, MI: Gale Research, 1991-), *R-SIBL HQ1101.S73 and  JFM 98-387.  International statistics on economics, health, labor, public and private life, religion, education, and more.

Statistical handbook on women in America,  2nd edition,  (Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 1996),  *R-SN 99-10040.  Statistical information on demographics, health, employment, economic status, and social characteristics. 

U.S. women's interest groups: institutional profiles,  (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1995),  Pub. Cat. 96-1429.  Information on women’s political and social organizations.

W.I.S.H.: the international handbook of women’s studies, (New York; London: Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1993),  Pub. Cat.  94-105.  A guide to international women’s studies organizations, resource centers, libraries, publications, courses, and more.

Women's information services and networks: a global source book,  (Amsterdam, Netherlands: International Information Centre and Archives for the Women's Movement, 1999), *R-SN 00-1529.

Books on Feminist Theory

American feminist thought at century's end: a reader,  edited by Linda S. Kauffman,  (Cambridge, MA: Blackwell, 1993), *R-SN 98-8485.

Andermahr, Sonya,  A glossary of feminist theory, (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1997), *R-SN 97-11003.  Alphabetical listing of the terminology used in feminist theory, Including bibliographical references.

Beasley, Chris,  What is feminism?: an introduction to feminist theory,  (London; Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE, 1999),  JFD 01-1669.

Boxer, Marilyn J.,  When women ask the questions: creating women's studies in America, (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1998), JFE 98-11256.

Chicana feminist thought: the basic historical writings,  edited by Alma M. Garcia.  (New York: Routledge, 1997), *R-SNB 98-12138.

Collins, Patricia H.,  Black feminist thought: knowledge, consciousness, and the politics of empowerment. 2nd edition, (New York: Routledge, 2000), Sc E 00-168 and JFE 00-2902.

A companion to feminist philosophy,  edited by Alison M. Jaggar and Iris Marion Young,  (Malden, MA: Blackwell, 1998),  JFF 98-2282.

Ecofeminism: women, animals, nature,  edited by Karen Warren,  (Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1997),  JFE 97-10961.   

The Elgar companion to feminist economics,  edited by Janice Peterson, Margaret Lewis,  (Cheltenham, UK; Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar, 1999),  JBE 00-2431.

Encyclopedia of feminist theories,  edited by Lorraine Code, (London; New York: Routledge, 2000), *R-SNE 01-1736.

Fawcett, Barbara.  Feminist perspectives on disability, (New York: Pearson Education, 2000),  JFD 00-12794.

Feminism and film,  edited by E. Ann Kaplan,  (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2000), MFL 00-14263.

Feminism: opposing viewpoints,  edited by Carol Wekesser,  (San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, 1995),  JFD 98-10233.

Feminist approaches to theory and methodology: an interdisciplinary reader,  edited by Sharlene Hesse-Biber, Christina Gilmartin, and Robin Lydenberg,  ( New York: Oxford University Press, 1999),  JFE 00-8163.

Feminist theory and the body: a reader,  edited by Janet Price and Margrit Shildrick,  (Edinburgh, Scotland: Edinburgh University Press, 1999),  JFF 99-3209.

Hooks, Bell.  Feminist theory from margin to center,.  2nd edition,  (Cambridge, MA: South End Press, 2000), JFD 00-13962.

Humm, Maggie,  The dictionary of feminist theory,  (Columbus, OH: Ohio State University Press, 1995),  JFD 95-19020.

Introducing women's studies: feminist theory and practice, edited by Victoria Robinson and Diane Richardson,  2nd edition,  (Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire : Macmillan, 1997),  JFE 97-10651.

Living Chicana theory,  edited by Carla Trujillo,  (Berkeley, CA: Third Woman Press, 1998),  JFD 98-1895.

McManus, Barbara F.,  Classics & feminism: gendering the classics,  (New York: Twayne Publishers , 1997),  JFE 97-8198.

Reader's guide to women's studies,  edited by  Eleanor B. Amico,  (Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn, 1998),  *R-SN 98-7436.

Searing, Susan E.,  Introduction to library research in women's studies,  (Boulder: Westview Press, 1985),  JLE 85-1942.

The second wave: a reader in feminist theory,  edited by Linda Nicholson,  (New York: Routledge, 1997),  JFF 98-877.

Thinking feminist: key concepts in women’s studies,  edited by Diane Richardson,  (New York: Guilford Press, 1993),  JFD 96-1431.  Overview of major themes and issues.

The women and language debate: a sourcebook,  edited by Camille Roman and others,  (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1994),  JFE 94-3496.

Words of fire: an anthology of African-American feminist thought,  edited by Beverly Guy-Sheftall,  (New York: New Press, 1995),  Sc E 95-750 and  JFE 96-6413.

International Perspective

Berger, Iris.  Women in sub-Saharan Africa: restoring women to history.  (Bloomington: Indiana University Press,  1999).  JFE 99-10194 and Sc E 99-859.

Canadian woman studies: an introductory reader.  Edited by Nuzhat Amin et al.  (Toronto: Inanna Publication and Education, 1999).    JFE 00-12711.

The Costa Rican women's movement: a reader.  Edited by Ilse Abshagen Leitinger.  (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1997).   JFE 97-7396.

Feminist thought in Aotearoa/New Zealand: differences and  connections.  Edited by Rosemary Du Plessis and Lynne Alice.  (Auckland; New York: Oxford University Press, 1998).  JFE 98-4580.

French feminist thought: a reader.  Edited by Toril Moi.  (Oxford; New York: Blackwell, 1987).  JLE 87-4157.

German feminist writings.  Edited by Patricia A. Herminghouse and Magda Mueller.  (New York: Continuum, 2001). JFD 01-4178.

Guide to women's studies in China.  Edited by Gail          Hershatter et al.  (Berkeley: Institute of East Asian Studies, University of California, Berkeley, Center for Chinese Studies, 1998).  JFE 99-7048.

Irish women's studies reader.  Edited by Ailbhe Smyth.  (Dublin, Ireland: Attic Press, 1993).  JFD 94-5137.

Italian feminist thought: a reader.  Edited by Paola Bono.  (Oxford, England; Cambridge, MA: B. Blackwell, 1991).  JFE 91-6736.

Japanese women: new feminist perspectives on the past, present, and future.  Edited by Kumiko Fujimura-Fanselow.  (New York: Feminist Press at the City University of New York, 1995).  JFE 95-13827.

Lake, Marilyn.  Getting equal: the history of Australian feminism.  (St. Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin, 1999). JFE 00-2155.

Molyneux, Maxine.  Women's movements in international perspective: Latin America  and beyond.  (Houndmills [England]; New York: Palgrave, 2001). JFD 01-6286.

Nashat, Guity.  Women in the Middle East and North Africa: restoring women to history.  (Bloomington: Indiana University Press,  1999). JFE 99-10188.

Navarro, Marysa.  Women in Latin America and the Caribbean: restoring women to history.  (Bloomington: Indiana University Press,  1999). JFE 99-10197.

Racioppi, Linda.  Women's activism in contemporary Russia.  (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1997). JFD 97-15843.

Ramusack, Barbara N.  Women in Asia: restoring women to history. (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1999).   JFE 99-10227.

Sisterhood, feminisms, and power: from Africa to the diaspora.  Edited by Obioma Nnaemeka.  (Trenton, NJ: Africa World Press, 1998).  JFE 99-12743 and  Sc E 00-1308.

Thara Bhai, L.  Women's studies in India.  (New Delhi: A.P.H. Pub. Corp., 2000).     JFD 00-14672.

Tunon, Julia.  Women in Mexico: a past unveiled.  (Austin: University of Texas Press, 1999).  JFE 00-13759.

Women and gender relations in the Philippines: selected readings in women's studies.  (Quezon City: Women's Studies Association of the Philippines, 1999).  JFM 01-34.

Women in Republican China: a sourcebook.  Edited by Hua Lan and Vanessa Fong.  (Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 1999).  JFE 01-1858.