Central Square Tour
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
WE WANT SMASH VENCEREMOS BREAD and ROSES! MALE SUPREMACY CENTRAL SQUARE Copyright © May 2021 1970s-1990s The Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women (CCSW) works in an inclusive manner to promote equity for all women and girls, and advocates on their behalf with other City departments and officials, local organizations, and state government to increase opportunities through policy and program recommendations and development, and to build public awareness of key issues affecting women and girls. The Cambridge Women’s Commission recognizes, supports, and advocates for all who self-identify as women or with womanhood, including transgender, gender fluid, and non-binary persons. We stand with and for women and girls of all sexualities, races, ethnicities, abilities, immigration status, or religions. For more on the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women, visit our website at www.cambridgewomenscommission.org or contact: Kimberly Sansoucy, Executive Director [email protected] Emily Shield, Project Coordinator [email protected] ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We thank Kimm Topping for their dynamic leadership of this project and for creating a meaningful map for the entire community. We sincerely appreciate the energy our Advisory Committee devoted to this project. We are grateful for their insights, perspectives, and recollections while reading drafts of the booklet and connecting us to women involved in the organizations highlighted here. Advisory Committee: Libby Bouvier, Liane Brandon, Sarah Burks, Gilda Bruckman, Cathy Hoffman, Pat Hynes, Mary Leno, Joanna Shea O’Brien, Susan Yanow, Laura Zimmerman We extend a special thanks to: Diane Balser, Abigail Bliss, Sarah Boyer, Marilynn Brass, Connie Breece, Molly Brown, Bill Cavellini, Marian Darlington-Hope, Kim DeAndrade, Tim Devin, Pamela Enders, Tess Ewing, Ann Fleck-Henderson, Susan Fleischmann, Demita Frazier, Joan Green, Connie Hilton, Cherie Jimenez, Jessye Kass, Madge Kaplan, Sue Katz, Nella LaRosa-Waters, Mia McMorris, Lynn Murray, Judy Norris, Joanna Olivas, Mina Reddy, Yves-Rose Porcena, Fran Roznowski, Susie Rivo, Rochelle Ruthchild, Nancy Ryan, Barbara Smith, Shane Snowdon, Vicki Solomon, Carole Sousa, Liz Speakman, Sally Waldron, Elaine Westerlund, Gail Willett, Debra Wise, Chris Womendez Boston Public Library, Cambridge Black Trailblazers, Cambridge Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Initiative, Cambridge Historical Commission, Cambridge Historical Society, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge Women’s Heritage Project, Northeastern University, Schlesinger Library, University of Massachusetts Boston, City of Cambridge IT Dept. GIS Design by Raegan McCain Mapping Feminist Cambridge—Central Square TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Introduction.............................................................................................................................................. 3 The term “second wave feminism” refers to the feminist activity and thought Central Square Map.......................................................................................................................... 4 that took root in the late 1960s and continued for approximately two decades primarily in industrialized nations in the West. As the women’s movement Contexualizing the Feminist Movement......................................................................... 6 sparked across the United States, Cambridge became a center of revolution Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women................................................. 8 and organizing, much like New York, San Francisco, and other major U.S. cities Back Porch Dance Collective.................................................................................................... 10 twice its size. At the turn of the new decade in 1970, many local protests demanded changes that were similar to the national movement’s calls; from YWCA Cambridge.............................................................................................................................. 12 the Bread and Roses March of 1970, to a protest of Harvard University’s 1970 Snapshot of 1970s Women’s Liberation Events......................................................... 14 commencement led by Saundra Graham, to the famous 1971 takeover at 888 Housing & Economic Justice..................................................................................................... 16 Memorial Drive. Cambridge activists were fighting for greater access to health and child care, racial equity, an end to the Vietnam War, a condemnation of Savanna Books...................................................................................................................................... 18 sexual violence, and so much more. City Hall................................................................................................................................................... 20 Domestic Violence Initiatives Timeline........................................................................ 21 In Central Square, activists organized around abortion access, domestic violence prevention and services, prisoners’ rights, housing, representation Feminist Anti-Pornography Ordinance............................................................................ 22 in the arts, and much more. In this guide, we highlight feminist, socialist, and Boston Area Rape Crisis Center................................................................................................ 24 educational institutions that emerged and thrived in Central Square from the Cambridge Women’s Center.................................................................................................... 26 late 1960s through the 1990s and recognize the unique contributions they made to Cambridge feminist history. Community Organizing.................................................................................................................. 28 Combahee River Collective........................................................................................................ 30 We acknowledge that feminist organizing, while aspiring to inclusion, has Women’s School.................................................................................................................................. 32 experienced and continues to experience exclusions of race, class, gender identity, religion, and disability. Our work has led us to many stories from Prison Abolition Collectives...................................................................................................... 34 multiple perspectives, and we know there are always more to find. Transition House................................................................................................................................... 36 Bread and Roses.................................................................................................................................. 38 Learn more about women’s contributions to Cambridge by visiting the Feminist Approaches....................................................................................................................... 40 Cambridge Women’s Heritage Project database at www2.cambridgema.gov/Historic/CWHP Abortion Access Project............................................................................................................... 42 Marquee Bar............................................................................................................................................. 44 Underground Railway Theater................................................................................................. 44 Cambridge Community Television...................................................................................... 46 New Day Films........................................................................................................................................ 48 Feminist Communication............................................................................................................. 50 Sojourner.................................................................................................................................................... 52 Page 2 Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women Mapping Feminist Cambridge—Central Square Page 3 CENTRAL SQUARE | TOUR Dana Pl FEMINIST APPROACHES Harvard St Inman Pl 1 51 INMAN STREET West St PlymouthCambridge St Women’s Commission 1 51 Inman St Webster Ave 1977 – Present Centre St 9 552 MASS AVENUE Tremont St Norfolk St Union St Berk Dana St Backshir Porche Dance Collective Abortion Access Project | 1992 – Pl Hampshire St Bristol St Market St 1990 – 2001 Lee St 2006 Inman St Broadway Hancock St Scouting Way 7l aTEMPLEc Ct STREET 2 Li 10 512 MASS AVENUE Bay St Clinton St Prospect St St YWCA Cambridge | 1891 - St Paul St Elm St k Arnold Cir 858 Mass Ave 4 lar Marquee Bar | 1970’s – mid 80’s C Present 5 795 Mass Ave Worcester St Boardman St Belvidere Pl Windsor St HOUSING & ECONOMIC JUSTICE 11 450 MASS AVENUE 7 Temple St Essex St 2 3 Suffolk St Underground Railway Theater Sellers St 99 Bishop Allen Dr 1979 – Present 6 Washington St Moore St 3 159 PEARL STREET Bishop Allen Dr Davis St Howard St Temple St Soden St Transition House | 1976 – Present 12 595 Mass Ave Columbia St 438 MASS AVENUE 8 Pine St Cherry St Kinnaird St 552 Mass Ave CCTV | 1987 – Present Pleasant St 9 4 858 MASS AVENUE Jay St Central Sq Eaton St Portland St 10 512 Mass Ave Savanna Books | 1989 – 1996 Western Ave 13 2 ½ Douglass St 13 2 ½