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COLLECTION Identifier: MC 421: Vt-30

Woman Alive! Collection, 1974-1977

Overview

Videotapes and program books of "Woman Alive!," a collaboration between Ms. Magazine and public television.

Dates

  • Creation: 1974-1977

Language of Materials

Materials in English.

Access Restrictions:

Access. Collection is open for research. An appointment is necessary to use any audiovisual material.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright. Copyright in the Woman Alive! Collection is held by Educational Broadcasting Corp., WNET/Channel 13, New York. Copyright in other papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns.

Copying. Papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures.

Extent

2.42 linear feet (2 cartons, 1 file box)

This collection consists of the pilot show of "Woman Alive!," the ten half-hour shows, the five one-hour shows, and a program book for each show. Unless otherwise indicated, each program book consists of a transcript and brief description of the show as well as news releases, black and white photographs of participants, and a program format log. Videotapes are all 3/4 inch with sound and color.

HISTORY

The television show "Woman Alive!" was the result of a collaboration between Ms. Magazine and public television. The project began as a one-hour special, produced by KERA-TV Dallas/Fort Worth and broadcast in 1974. Later, two series were produced by WNET/13 New York: ten half-hour programs broadcast in 1975 and five one-hour programs in 1977. All the shows were made possible by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Produced by and for women, "Woman Alive!" was intended to show "the changing mood of women in America," and "the new possibilities, alternatives, and choices open to them and their families." In a magazine format, it presents works by women filmmakers, music by women composers and singers, remarks by specialists on various women's issues, and individual women's stories of struggle and success in their jobs, personal lives, and families.

The executive producer of the pilot show was Joan Shigekawa, the writer/associate producer Susan Lester, the field producer Joan Fiore, and the associate producer Candida Harper. For the subsequent ten shows, the executive producer was Ronnie Eldridge, the producer Joan Shigekawa, the coordinating producer Jacqueline Donnet, and the associate producer Janis Klein. For the last 5 shows, the producer and executive producer was Joan Shigekawa, the coordinating producer Jacqueline Donnet, and the associate producer Janis Klein.

Physical Location

Collection stored off site: researchers must request access 36 hours before use.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Accession number: 86-M256

The videotapes and transcripts of "Woman Alive!" were given to the Schlesinger Library by Joan Shigekawa, executive producer of "Woman Alive!," in December 1986.

CONTAINER LIST

  1. Carton 1: 1vt-8vt
  2. Carton 2: 9vt-15vt
  3. Carton 3: 16vt-33

Processing Information

Processed: April 1993

By: Katherine Herrlich

Subject

Title
Woman Alive! Collection, 1974-1977: A Finding Aid
Author
Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America
Language of description
eng
EAD ID
sch00977

Repository Details

Part of the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute Repository

The preeminent research library on the history of women in the United States, the Schlesinger Library documents women's lives from the past and present for the future. In addition to its traditional strengths in the history of feminisms, women’s health, and women’s activism, the Schlesinger collections document the intersectional workings of race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class in American history.

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