Sister Speak records, 1998/2019

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact the Special Collections reference desk (library-special@jmu.edu) before visiting Special Collections to use this collection.

Terms of access:

Copyright for materials authored or otherwise produced as official business of James Madison University is retained by James Madison University. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. For more information, contact the Special Collections Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Sister Speak Records, 1998-2019, UA 0015, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.66 cubic feet 2 boxes
Creator:
James Madison University. Department of English and Thompson, Mary, Dr.
Abstract:
The Sister Speak Records, 1998-2019, include drafts and publication proofs of Sister Speak: A Feminist Literary Journal as well as administrative files produced by Sister Speak, the student organization at James Madison University responsible for the publication of the journal.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Sister Speak Records, 1998-2019, UA 0015, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The Sister Speak Records consist of .66 cubic feet of materials in two boxes that document the production of Sister Speak: A Feminist Literary Journal from 1998-2019 by Sister Speak, the student organization sponsored by JMU's department of English. Materials include fliers for informational meetings about the journal, calls for submissions to the publication, as well as publication proofs and zine drafts. Other materials include related zines produced by the JMU Feminist Collective and ephemera including a button and various unaffiliated feminist publications.

[Includes digital media]

Biographical / historical:

Sister Speak: A Feminist Literary Journal is published twice a year at James Madison University and is sponsored by JMU's department of English. The first issue was printed in the fall semester of 1998 as a publication that originated from English 467: Feminist Literary Theory, taught by Dr. Suzanne Bost, who served as the first advisor to Sister Speak. The first issue consisted of a photocopied collection of students' favorite response papers from this English 467. While originally titled Sister, Speak, with a comma to indicate a command, later editors dropped the comma in the title. The publication aims to embrace equality between genders, and the goal of Sister Speak is be an amalgam of information that educates about issues related to feminism. To this end, the publication includes works that focus on women and/or gender and that question or challenge oppressive gender roles. As of 2026, Dr. Mary Thompson, professor of English, serves as faculty advisor.

Acquisition information:
The records were transferred to Special Collections in 2014 and 2016 by Dr. Mary Thompson, Associate Professor of English at JMU. The 2019 Sister Speak Publication Proof was donated by Liz Chenevey in Spring 2020.
Processing information:

Original folder titles were retained; materials housed within zip-up binders were removed and foldered in archival containers. On receipt in Special Collections, the arrangement of the majority of the materials consisted of folders labeled by year. The original order of the materials was maintained, and the collection is arranged chronologically.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard