Women's Action Alliance: Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added

Inline

Revision as of 20:11, 27 July 2018

The Women's Action Alliance ("WAA" or "the Alliance") was a feminist organization in the United States, which existed from 1971 until 1997.^[1] The organization was founded by Gloria Steinem, Brenda Feigen Fasteau and Dorothy Pitman-Hughes.^[2] The board of directors of the WAA included several notable feminists such as Bella Abzug and Shirley Chisholm.^[1] The WAA is notable for pioneering early battered women's shelters.^[3] The mission of the Women's Action Alliance was to assist local activists by providing technical, and communications support. The organization provided this support by linking feminist leaders with experts, and other organizations.^[3]^[4] The organization was dissolved in 1997 due to lack of funding.^[1]

Women's Action Alliance's Initiatives

National Women's Agenda

In January 1975, President Gerald Ford founded the National Commission on the Observance of International Women’s Year, or the IWY Commission. This commission was tasked with "encouraging cooperative activity in the field of women's rights and responsibilities". Many groups including the National Organization for Women (NOW) were dissatisfied, and were concerned that the commission was too cautious. This led the Women's Action Alliance to create the National Women's Agenda.^[5]^[6]

The Women's Action Alliance built a coalition consisting of a number of organizations, including the National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC), the Girl Scouts, the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women and the National Council of Negro Women. Specifically, the agenda called for fair representation in government and for the end to racial and cultural stereotyping. The coalition also called for the recognition of working women, women in poverty, and women affected by the criminal justice system.

In total, 94 women's groups and labor unions joined the coalition. Some of these organizations include: American Association of University Women, National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Planned Parenthood, National Association of Social Workers, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, National Coalition of American Nuns, Women Strike for Peace, YWCA, Amalgamated Clothing Workers, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, NOW, National Abortion Rights Action League, NWPC, Feminist Press, Women's Legal Defense Fund, National Gay Task Force, Lesbian Feminist Liberation, Mattachine Society and National Congress of Neighborhood Women.^[6]

The National Women's Agenda was eventually overshadowed by the National Plan of Action, which was an agenda created by the National Women's Conference in Houston. The National Women's Agenda Project collapsed in 1980.^[6]

Non-Sexist Childhood Development Initiative

Women's Action Alliance began an initiative which was called the Non-Sexist Childhood Development Initiative. The initiative was designed to combat perceived sexism in preschools.This project was founded because of a number of letters that the Women's Action Alliance received. Many of these letters expressed concerns regarding sexism in preschools. The program received funding from a number of different foundations.^[7]

To investigate "sex-role conditioning", The Women's Action Alliance set up programs to address sexism in preschools. In the fall of 1973, the initiative launched the program in four childhood education centers in New York.^[8]

The initiative mainly focused on four main activities. The first was "In-Service teacher training". This implied providing education for teachers and school staff on the harmful lessons that were currently being taught. The second was called "Parent education". Here, the initiative helped parents identify which lessons were deemed harmful. The third was known as "Curriculum development", this was where the initiative worked to generate a curriculum to teach more appropriate lessons to children. Lastly, the initiative developed "non-sexist, multi-racial materials". This was done by creating learning materials which include diverse, non-sexist representations. This also applied to the toys and books which surrounded the children.^[7]

Women's Alcohol and Drug Education Project

Established in 1987, the WAA's Women's Alcohol and Drug Education Project addressed the need for substance abuse help for women, specifically with regards to women of color and those in poverty.^[9] The project set up model programs in six women's centers across America, integrating an alcohol and drug component with the work being done with women at the facilities. Substance abuse was put in the context of women's issues, because it was believed that information regarding substance abuse wouldn't reach women in poverty.^{[citation needed]}

Women's Action Almanac

In 1979, the WAA published Women's Action Almanac: A Complete Resource Guide. The book discussed women's issues and programs, was organized by subject, and included lists of women's organizations. The book was written and compiled by the WAA, and edited by Jane Williamson, Diane Winston and Wanda Wooten. The sections gave a summary of the "prevailing feminist perspective," background information, importance and status and current data followed by relevant women's organizations (national and local, if applicable) and ending with appropriate resources. The almanac also served as a comprehensive directory of resources and services for women. Its primary goal was to "provide answers to questions on women's issues and program," through its catalog of subject matter and its directory.^[10]

Other Initiatives

In response to positive feedback, the WAA created a program called "Beginning Equal", which was similar to the Non-Sexist Childhood Development Initiative. Other projects included "Women With Non-Traditional Occupations" and "Children of Single Parents in the Schools". The WAA created a program called "Computer Equity". The research gleaned from this project was used to encourage girls to become more comfortable with technology.^[3] Later programs, like the "Teenage Pregnancy Prevention" project branched out into healthcare and gathered data and information about teen pregnancy by surveying the agencies that served this demographic.

The Sophia Smith Collection of Women's Action Alliance Archives

The Women's Action Alliance received a large number of letters, and generated a large amount of correspondence. There are 117.25 feet of records located at the Sophia Smith Collection in Northampton, Massachusetts.^[11] This Collection is the "largest processed collection" to date.^[12] The letters document the history of the organization from its inception until its disbandment.^[11]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Women's Action Alliance Records, 1970-1996, Historical Note". Sophia Smith Collection. Smith College. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
^ Feminist coalitions : historical perspectives on second-wave feminism in the United States. Gilmore, Stephanie. Urbana: University of Illinois Press. 2008. ISBN 9780252075391. OCLC 177019477.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
^ ^a ^b ^c Miller, Marla R. (Summer 2002). "Tracking the Women's Movement through the Women's Action Alliance". Journal of Women's History. 14 (2): 154–156. doi:10.1353/jowh.2002.0051.
^ "Sophia Smith Collection: Agents of Social Change Online Exhibit - Women's Action Alliance". www.smith.edu. Retrieved 2017-11-13.
^ "Gerald R. Ford: Executive Order 11832 - Establishing a National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year, 1975". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-18.
^ ^a ^b ^c Harrison, Cynthia (2008). Feminist coalitions: historical perspectives on second-wave feminism in the United States. Gilmore, Stephanie. Urbana: University of Illinois Press. pp. 19–47. "Creating a National Feminist Agenda, Coalition Building in the 1970s". ISBN 9780252075391. OCLC 177019477.
^ ^a ^b Sprung, Barbara (September 1977). "Equality now! For boys and girls". Parents Magazine. 53: 44–48 – via EBSCOhost.
^ "Sex in preschools". Saturday Review of Education. 1: 48. March 1973 – via EBSCOhost.
^ Alcohol and drugs are women's issues. Roth, Paula., Women's Action Alliance. Metuchen, N.J.: Women's Action Alliance. 1991. ISBN 0810823608. OCLC 22510833.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
^ Women's Action Alliance, Inc. (1979). Written at New York. Williamson, Jane; Winston, Diane; Wooten, Wanda (eds.). Women's Action Almanac: A Complete Resource Guide. New York, New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0688085254.
^ ^a ^b "Women's Action Alliance Records, 1970-1996". Five College Archives & Manuscript Collections. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
^ Miller, Marla R. (2002-07-01). "Tracking the Women's Movement through the Women's Action Alliance". Journal of Women's History. 14 (2): 154–156. doi:10.1353/jowh.2002.0051. ISSN 1527-2036.

[WAAR-1] "Women's Action Alliance Records, 1970-1996, Historical Note". Sophia Smith Collection. Smith College. Retrieved 26 February 2013.

[2] Feminist coalitions : historical perspectives on second-wave feminism in the United States. Gilmore, Stephanie. Urbana: University of Illinois Press. 2008. ISBN 9780252075391. OCLC 177019477.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)

[:0-3] Miller, Marla R. (Summer 2002). "Tracking the Women's Movement through the Women's Action Alliance". Journal of Women's History. 14 (2): 154–156. doi:10.1353/jowh.2002.0051.

[4] "Sophia Smith Collection: Agents of Social Change Online Exhibit - Women's Action Alliance". www.smith.edu. Retrieved 2017-11-13.

[5] "Gerald R. Ford: Executive Order 11832 - Establishing a National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year, 1975". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-18.

[:5-6] Harrison, Cynthia (2008). Feminist coalitions: historical perspectives on second-wave feminism in the United States. Gilmore, Stephanie. Urbana: University of Illinois Press. pp. 19–47. "Creating a National Feminist Agenda, Coalition Building in the 1970s". ISBN 9780252075391. OCLC 177019477.

[:1-7] Sprung, Barbara (September 1977). "Equality now! For boys and girls". Parents Magazine. 53: 44–48 – via EBSCOhost.

[8] "Sex in preschools". Saturday Review of Education. 1: 48. March 1973 – via EBSCOhost.

[:2-9] Alcohol and drugs are women's issues. Roth, Paula., Women's Action Alliance. Metuchen, N.J.: Women's Action Alliance. 1991. ISBN 0810823608. OCLC 22510833.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)

[:4-10] Women's Action Alliance, Inc. (1979). Written at New York. Williamson, Jane; Winston, Diane; Wooten, Wanda (eds.). Women's Action Almanac: A Complete Resource Guide. New York, New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0688085254.

[:3-11] "Women's Action Alliance Records, 1970-1996". Five College Archives & Manuscript Collections. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)

[12] Miller, Marla R. (2002-07-01). "Tracking the Women's Movement through the Women's Action Alliance". Journal of Women's History. 14 (2): 154–156. doi:10.1353/jowh.2002.0051. ISSN 1527-2036.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-<!--{{copy edit|for=style, tone|date=December 2017}}-->
 [[File:Gloria Steinem at news conference, Women's Action Alliance, January 12, 1972.jpg|thumb|[[Gloria Steinem]] at a Women's Action Alliance news conference on January 12, 1972]]
-The '''Women's Action Alliance ("WAA" or "the Alliance")''' was a [[feminism|feminist]] organization in the [[United States]], established in 1971 during the [[Feminist Movement in the United States|Women's Movement]].<ref name="WAAR">{{cite web|title=Women's Action Alliance Records, 1970-1996, Historical Note|url=http://asteria.fivecolleges.edu/findaids/sophiasmith/mnsss76_bioghist.html|work=Sophia Smith Collection|publisher=Smith College|accessdate=26 February 2013}}</ref>  It was founded by [[Gloria Steinem]], [[Brenda Feigen|Brenda Feigen Fasteau]] and [[Dorothy Pitman Hughes|Dorothy Pitman-Hughes]],<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/177019477|title=Feminist coalitions : historical perspectives on second-wave feminism in the United States|date=2008|publisher=University of Illinois Press|others=Gilmore, Stephanie.|isbn=9780252075391|location=Urbana|oclc=177019477}}</ref> combining their legacies in the civil rights movement to forge a network of activists dedicated to a vision of equality for all women. Its founding mission was to assist women by coordinating resources and individuals working at the grassroots level on a broader national scale. Its founders intended to build on the previous success of the women’s movement to effect further change in society's recognition and treatment of women. The WAA's goal was, according to the founders, to help the "large numbers of women who want to change their lot in life" by becoming a clearinghouse of women's information. The WAA, among many other contributions, helped to open the first [[battered women's shelter|battered women's shelters]].<ref name=":0">{{cite journal|last=Miller|first=Marla R.|title=Tracking the Women's Movement through the Women's Action Alliance|journal=Journal of Women's History|date=Summer 2002|volume=14|issue=2|pages=154–156|doi=10.1353/jowh.2002.0051|url=http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/jowh/summary/v014/14.2miller.html}}</ref>
+The '''Women's Action Alliance ("WAA" or "the Alliance")''' was a [[feminism|feminist]] organization in the [[United States]], which existed from 1971 until 1997.<ref name="WAAR">{{cite web|title=Women's Action Alliance Records, 1970-1996, Historical Note|url=http://asteria.fivecolleges.edu/findaids/sophiasmith/mnsss76_bioghist.html|work=Sophia Smith Collection|publisher=Smith College|accessdate=26 February 2013}}</ref> The organization was founded by [[Gloria Steinem]], [[Brenda Feigen|Brenda Feigen Fasteau]] and [[Dorothy Pitman Hughes|Dorothy Pitman-Hughes]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/177019477|title=Feminist coalitions : historical perspectives on second-wave feminism in the United States|date=2008|publisher=University of Illinois Press|others=Gilmore, Stephanie.|isbn=9780252075391|location=Urbana|oclc=177019477}}</ref> The board of directors of the WAA included several notable feminists such as [[Bella Abzug]] and [[Shirley Chisholm]].<ref name="WAAR" /> The WAA is notable for pioneering early [[battered women's shelter|battered women's shelters]].<ref name=":0">{{cite journal|last=Miller|first=Marla R.|title=Tracking the Women's Movement through the Women's Action Alliance|journal=Journal of Women's History|date=Summer 2002|volume=14|issue=2|pages=154–156|doi=10.1353/jowh.2002.0051|url=http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/jowh/summary/v014/14.2miller.html}}</ref> The mission of the Women's Action Alliance was to assist local activists by providing technical, and communications support. The organization provided this support by linking feminist leaders with experts, and other organizations.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smith.edu/libraries/libs/ssc/agents/waalbrochure2.html|title=Sophia Smith Collection: Agents of Social Change Online Exhibit - Women's Action Alliance|website=www.smith.edu|access-date=2017-11-13}}</ref> The organization was dissolved in 1997 due to lack of funding.<ref name="WAAR" />
-The board of directors of the WAA included several notable feminists such as [[Bella Abzug]] and [[Shirley Chisholm]].<ref name="WAAR"/> Gloria Steinem chaired the board from 1971-1978.<ref name="WAAR"/>
-The WAA was dissolved in 1997 due to lack of funding.<ref name="WAAR"/>
 == Women's Action Alliance's Initiatives ==
-The Women's Action Alliance attempted to connect women who wanted to "change their lot in life" with community organizations and professionals interested in feminist causes. Many early correspondences sent to the WAA asked for referrals to organizations that assisted women.  Some asked for recommendations for female or feminist professionals (psychologists, lawyers, doctors, etc.).  Others requested information about starting feminist organizations or chapters.<ref name=":0" />  Referrals provided in response to these requests to the WAA were gathered by individual women using their connections in the community to network, collect and disseminate information (including pamphlets and other literature), and recommend professionals and organizations with which they had positive experiences.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smith.edu/libraries/libs/ssc/agents/waalbrochure2.html|title=Sophia Smith Collection: Agents of Social Change Online Exhibit - Women's Action Alliance|website=www.smith.edu|access-date=2017-11-13}}</ref>
 === National Women's Agenda ===
-One of the group's goals was a national agenda of feminist legislation. The WAA members and other women organizations were wary about government control over certain aspects of women’s lives, such as reproductive rights. In January 1975, President [[Gerald Ford]] founded the [[National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year|National Commission on the Observance of International Women’s Year]], or the IWY Commission. This, along with other commissions that began during the [[John F. Kennedy]] administration, issued reports that would impose change in the federal and state government, but many groups including the [[National Organization for Women|National Organization for Women (NOW)]] and other independent feminist groups continued to push "hard from the outside to ensure that the government's cautious advocacy for women did not remain the only vehicle to improve women's status and expand their opportunities." <ref name=":5">{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/177019477|title=Feminist coalitions: historical perspectives on second-wave feminism in the United States|last=Harrison|first=Cynthia|date=2008|publisher=University of Illinois Press|others=Gilmore, Stephanie.|year=|isbn=9780252075391|location=Urbana|pages=19–47. "Creating a National Feminist Agenda; Coalition Building in the 1970s"|oclc=177019477}}</ref>  This led the Women's Action Alliance to mobilize and create the National Women's Agenda.
+In January 1975, President [[Gerald Ford]] founded the [[National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year|National Commission on the Observance of International Women’s Year]], or the IWY Commission. This commission was tasked with "encouraging cooperative activity in the field of women's rights and responsibilities". Many groups including the [[National Organization for Women|National Organization for Women (NOW)]] were dissatisfied, and were concerned that the commission was too cautious. This led the Women's Action Alliance to create the National Women's Agenda.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=60460|title=Gerald R. Ford: Executive Order 11832 - Establishing a National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year, 1975|website=www.presidency.ucsb.edu|access-date=2016-06-18}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/177019477|title=Feminist coalitions: historical perspectives on second-wave feminism in the United States|last=Harrison|first=Cynthia|date=2008|publisher=University of Illinois Press|others=Gilmore, Stephanie.|year=|isbn=9780252075391|location=Urbana|pages=19–47. "Creating a National Feminist Agenda; Coalition Building in the 1970s"|oclc=177019477}}</ref>
-After writing to many organizations such as the [[National Women's Political Caucus]] (NWPC), the [[Girl Scouts of the USA|Girl Scouts]], the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women and the [[National Council of Negro Women]], 70 groups responded by May and 24 ultimately participated in creating the agenda. It advocated for many different causes and problems women and marginalized peoples faced. The agenda called on fair representation in different aspects of the government and other areas, the end to racial and cultural stereotyping, recognition of working women as well as homemakers as workers, women in poverty (who they deemed as the most vulnerable), women affected by the criminal justice system especially those pertaining to victimless crimes (i.e. prostitution), and bodily autonomy and integrity.
+The Women's Action Alliance built a coalition consisting of a number of organizations, including the [[National Women's Political Caucus]] (NWPC), the [[Girl Scouts of the USA|Girl Scouts]], the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women and the [[National Council of Negro Women]]. Specifically, the agenda called for fair representation in government and for the end to racial and cultural stereotyping. The coalition also called for the recognition of working women, women in poverty, and women affected by the criminal justice system.
+In total, 94 women's groups and labor unions joined the coalition. Some of these organizations include: [[American Association of University Women]], [[National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs]], [[Planned Parenthood]], [[National Association of Social Workers]], [[Women's International League for Peace and Freedom]], [[National Coalition of American Nuns]], [[Women Strike for Peace]], [[YWCA|YWCA,]] [[Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America|Amalgamated Clothing Workers]], [[American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees|American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees]], [[National Organization for Women|NOW]], [[National Abortion Rights Action League]], [[National Women's Political Caucus|NWPC]], [[The Feminist Press|Feminist Press]], [[Women’s Legal Defense Fund|Women's Legal Defense Fund]], [[National Gay Task Force]], [[Lesbian Feminist Liberation]], [[Mattachine Society]] and [[National Congress of Neighborhood Women]].<ref name=":5" />
-The group's steps toward finalizing its agenda faced issues pertaining to representation, racism and diversity, but it was  able form a coalition of 94 women's groups and labor unions, including:
-* [[American Association of University Women|American Association of University Women (AAUW)]]
+The National Women's Agenda was eventually overshadowed by the National Plan of Action, which was an agenda created by the National Women's Conference in Houston. The National Women's Agenda Project collapsed in 1980.<ref name=":5" />
-* [[National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs]]
-* Lutheran Church Women
-* Girls Clubs
-* [[Planned Parenthood]]
-* [[National Association of Social Workers]]
-* National Association for Women Deans, Administrators, and Counselors
-* [[Women's International League for Peace and Freedom]]
-* Future Homemakers of America
-* [[NCJW]]
-* [[National Coalition of American Nuns]]
-* [[Women Strike for Peace]]
-* [[YWCA]]
-* [[Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America|Amalgamated Clothing Workers]]
-* [[American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees|American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees]] (AFSCME)
-* [[National Organization for Women|NOW]]
-* [[National Abortion Rights Action League]] (NARAL)
-* [[National Women's Political Caucus|NWPC]]
-* National Association of Commissions for Women
-* Citizen's Advisory Council on the Status of Women
-* [[The Feminist Press|Feminist Press]]
-* [[Women’s Legal Defense Fund|Women's Legal Defense Fund]]
-* Federally Employed Women
-* [[National Gay Task Force]]
-* [[Lesbian Feminist Liberation]]
-* [[Mattachine Society]]
-* [[National Council of Negro Women]]
-* National Conference of Puerto Rican Women
-* [[National Black Feminist Organization]]
-* National Institute of Spanish-Speaking Women
-* Mujer Integrate Ahora (MIA)
-* National Committee on Household Employment (NCHE)
-* [[National Congress of Neighborhood Women]]
-The NWA was eventually overshadowed by the National Plan of Action (the Plan) created by the National Women's Conference in Houston, which had gained the approval of 2,000 delegates at this federally funded national women's conference (the first of its kind). There were differences between the two; one was the language used to express their plans and expectations, with the Houston plan being more "expansive" and the NWA being more "terse." The Plan also talked more about minority women while the NWA in turn had "a clearer statement on a welfare program." <ref name=":5" /> The NWA had a more structured and forward stance on health care whereas the Houston plan had more specific words regarding "abortion, asserting support for the Supreme Court decisions and proposing inclusion in all plans to provide health care." <ref name=":5" /> The National Women's Agenda Project collapsed in 1980 while the WAA continued for almost 20 more years.
 ===Non-Sexist Childhood Development Initiative ===
-An initiative of the alliance called on combating what they saw as the sexist way children were being taught in preschools. In September 1977, Barbara Sprung, director of the Non-Sexist Child Development Project, wrote about the initiative in [[Parents (magazine)|Parents Magazine]]. This project was started because of the letters they received. Some expressed concerns because of the sexism in their children's school with regards to gender roles and gender conformity.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Sprung|first=Barbara|date=September 1977|title=Equality now! For boys and girls|url=http://web.a.ebscohost.com.turing.library.northwestern.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=c7be49e8-24cb-4ef7-8df1-b4b2645bc520%40sessionmgr4010&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=524089035&db=rgr|journal=Parents Magazine|volume=53|pages=44–48|via=EBSCOhost}}</ref> The group studied the "unfair sex-role-stereotyping" that went on in early childhood development and after finding problems, decided to start this project. The program received funding from different foundations.
+Women's Action Alliance began an initiative which was called the Non-Sexist Childhood Development Initiative. The initiative was designed to combat perceived sexism in preschools.This project was founded because of a number of letters that the Women's Action Alliance received. Many of these letters expressed concerns regarding sexism in preschools. The program received funding from a number of different foundations.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Sprung|first=Barbara|date=September 1977|title=Equality now! For boys and girls|url=http://web.a.ebscohost.com.turing.library.northwestern.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=c7be49e8-24cb-4ef7-8df1-b4b2645bc520%40sessionmgr4010&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=524089035&db=rgr|journal=Parents Magazine|volume=53|pages=44–48|via=EBSCOhost}}</ref>
-To investigate this sex-role conditioning, WAA directors Carol Shapiro and Catherine Samuels set up programs to address sexism in preschools. They wrote that "sex stereotypes have already been learned" by children in higher grade levels, after having been fed "sexist" ideals of life. Sprung, a former teacher in early childhood development, led the project. In the fall of 1973, they launched the program in four childhood education centers in New York.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=|first=|date=March 1973|title=Sex in preschools|url=https://search.library.northwestern.edu/primo-explore/openurl?genre=article&issn=00918555&title=Saturday%20Review%20of%20Education.&volume=1&issue=&date=19730401&atitle=Sex%20in%20the%20preschools.&spage=48&sid=EBSCO:rgr&pid=&vid=NULVNEW&institution=01NWU&url_ctx_val=&url_ctx_fmt=null&isSerivcesPage=true|journal=Saturday Review of Education|volume=1|pages=48|via=EBSCOhost}}</ref>
+To investigate "sex-role conditioning", The Women's Action Alliance set up programs to address sexism in preschools. In the fall of 1973, the initiative launched the program in four childhood education centers in New York.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=|first=|date=March 1973|title=Sex in preschools|url=https://search.library.northwestern.edu/primo-explore/openurl?genre=article&issn=00918555&title=Saturday%20Review%20of%20Education.&volume=1&issue=&date=19730401&atitle=Sex%20in%20the%20preschools.&spage=48&sid=EBSCO:rgr&pid=&vid=NULVNEW&institution=01NWU&url_ctx_val=&url_ctx_fmt=null&isSerivcesPage=true|journal=Saturday Review of Education|volume=1|pages=48|via=EBSCOhost}}</ref>
-Sprung writes that they believe this gender typecasting is harmful to both genders of young children. They cite that boys are taught not to cry and don't play with certain toys like dolls, whereas girls are expected to play quietly and stay clean.
-The program stood on four components.<ref name=":1" />
-* "In-Service teacher training": This was a way for WAA staff could teach the current teachers and school staff on the harmful effects that were currently being taught. This allowed for them to (theoretically) keep going after the WAA left the schools.
-* "Parent education": This helped parents of the students identify what was harmful to teach children to break this cycle of sexist learning and conditioning. This would also bring these principles home and keep the education for the children going.
-* "Curriculum development": Along with teaching current, local staff about the initiative, they also came up with a curriculum to essentially teach the core lesson to children. This lesson was "to help children understand that men and women do all kinds of work both inside and outside the home, and that human beings are free to choose what the want to be regardless of their sex and race."<ref name=":1" />
-* "The development of non-sexist, multi-racial materials": To combat this sex-stereotyping that was going on in preschools, the WAA wanted to include diverse, positive, non-sexist representation in the learning materials, toys and books surrounding the children.
-As a result of these four components, the WAA in these four preschools did many things like take the children to see different genders in "unusual" jobs, unusual just based on what society has taught them was normal up to this point (i.e. a woman in a senior, managerial or executive position). As stated before, once the WAA left these facilities, they still expected the work to continue and one of the ways they helped this along was with the development of a curriculum guide called Non-Sexist Education for Young Children: A Practical Guide. This was monumental as providing the first non-sexist early education materials for the classroom.
+The initiative mainly focused on four main activities. The first was "In-Service teacher training". This implied providing education for teachers and school staff on the harmful lessons that were currently being taught. The second was called "Parent education". Here, the initiative helped parents identify which lessons were deemed harmful. The third was known as "Curriculum development", this was where the initiative worked to generate a curriculum to teach more appropriate lessons to children. Lastly, the initiative developed "non-sexist, multi-racial materials". This was done by creating learning materials which include diverse, non-sexist representations. This also applied to the toys and books which surrounded the children.<ref name=":1" />
 === Women's Alcohol and Drug Education Project ===
+Established in 1987, the WAA's Women's Alcohol and Drug Education Project addressed the need for substance abuse help for women, specifically with regards to women of color and those in poverty.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/22510833|title=Alcohol and drugs are women's issues|date=1991|publisher=Women's Action Alliance|others=Roth, Paula., Women's Action Alliance.|isbn=0810823608|location=Metuchen, N.J.|oclc=22510833}}</ref>  The project set up model programs in six women's centers across America, integrating an alcohol and drug component with the work being done with women at the facilities. Substance abuse was put in the context of women's issues, because it was believed that information regarding substance abuse wouldn't reach women in poverty.{{Citation needed|reason=The theory and methodology of the recovery process needs a citation|date=July 2018}}
-In the 1970s, most rehabilitation and preventive programs were predominantly for white men with health insurance. The [[National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism]] (NIAAA) awarded 40 grants for treatment programs specifically for women. However, due to blocked state grants in 1981, the programs like the WAA's Women's Alcohol and Drug Education Project were not funded until the late 80's.<ref name=":2" />
-Established in 1987, the WAA's Women's Alcohol and Drug Education Project addressed the need for substance abuse help for women, especially women of color and those in poverty.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/22510833|title=Alcohol and drugs are women's issues|date=1991|publisher=Women's Action Alliance|others=Roth, Paula., Women's Action Alliance.|isbn=0810823608|location=Metuchen, N.J.|oclc=22510833}}</ref>  Paula Roth, director of the project in 1990, wrote ''Alcohol and Drugs Are Women's Issues''. Its two volumes aimed to start a new conversation about substance abuse minority women and poor women and to highlight substance abuse by women as "critical women's issues."
-The project set up model programs in six women's centers across America, integrating an alcohol and drug component with the work being done with women at the facilities. Prevention was made a priority in addition to intervention. Substance abuse was put in the context of women's issues, stating that whether it was the woman who was addicted or a person in her life, current events or news on this topic wouldn't reach the women in these shelters due to the fact that the women there wouldn't consume that media or information (due to lack of access to it).{{Citation needed|reason=The theory and methodology of the recovery process needs a citation|date=July 2018}}
 === Women's Action Almanac ===
-In 1979, the WAA published ''Women's Action Almanac: A Complete Resource Guide''. <ref name=":4">{{cite book|title=Women's Action Almanac: A Complete Resource Guide|last=Women's Action Alliance, Inc.|first=|publisher=William Morrow and Company, Inc.|year=1979|isbn=978-0688085254|editor-last=Williamson|editor-first=Jane|location=New York|publication-place=New York, New York|pages=|editor-last2=Winston|editor-first2=Diane|editor-last3=Wooten|editor-first3=Wanda}}</ref> It was a guidebook of women's issues and programs, organized by subject and included lists of women's organizations. It was partly funded by the Merit Gasoline Foundation. The book was written and compiled by the WAA, and edited by Jane Williamson, Diane Winston and Wanda Wooten.
+In 1979, the WAA published ''Women's Action Almanac: A Complete Resource Guide''. The book discussed women's issues and programs, was organized by subject, and included lists of women's organizations. The book was written and compiled by the WAA, and edited by Jane Williamson, Diane Winston and Wanda Wooten. The sections gave a summary of the "prevailing feminist perspective," background information, importance and status and current data followed by relevant women's organizations (national and local, if applicable) and ending with appropriate resources. The almanac also served as a comprehensive directory of resources and services for women. Its primary goal was to "provide answers to questions on women's issues and program," through its catalog of subject matter and its directory.<ref name=":4">{{cite book|title=Women's Action Almanac: A Complete Resource Guide|last=Women's Action Alliance, Inc.|first=|publisher=William Morrow and Company, Inc.|year=1979|isbn=978-0688085254|editor-last=Williamson|editor-first=Jane|location=New York|publication-place=New York, New York|pages=|editor-last2=Winston|editor-first2=Diane|editor-last3=Wooten|editor-first3=Wanda}}</ref>
-The sections gave a summary of the "prevailing feminist perspective," background information, importance and status and current data followed by relevant women's organizations (national and local, if applicable) and ending with appropriate resources.
-The book's subjects were (in the order they appear in the almanac):
-* Abortion
-* Affirmative Action
-* Battered Women
-* Birth Control
-* Breast Cancer
-* Career Development
-* Childbirth
-* Child Care
-* Child Support
-* Commissions on the Status of Women
-* Continuing Education for Women
-* Credit
-* Criminal Justice
-* DES
-* Disabled Women
-* Displaced Homemakers
-* Divorce
-* Earnings Gap
-* Employment Equal Pay for Equal Work
-* Equal Rights Amendment
-* Estrogen Replacement Therapy
-* Executive Order 11246/11375
-* Feminist Spirituality
-* Financial Aid for Education
-* Flexible Work Schedules
-* Health Care
-* Higher Education
-* History
-* Homemakers
-* Incest
-* Insurance
-* International Women's Day
-* International Women's Year (Includes National Plan of Action)
-* Jewish Women
-* Labor Union Women
-* Language
-* Legal Status
-* Lesbian Mothers
-* Lesbians
-* Marriage and Equality
-* Minority Women
-* Name Changes
-* Nonsexist Education
-* Nontraditional Occupations
-* Older Women
-* Ordication of Women
-* Pacifism and Feminism
-* Politics
-* Pornography
-* Pregnancy Benefits
-* Prostitution
-* Psychology and Women
-* Rape
-* research and Information
-* Right-Wing Attacks
-* Rurual Women
-* Self-Defense
-* Sex Discrimination in Education
-* Sex Roles
-* Sex-Typing of Occupations
-* Sexual Harassment on the Job
-* Sexuality
-* Socialist Feminism
-* Social Security
-* Sports
-* Sterilization Abuse
-* Substance Abuse
-* Title IX
-* Title VII
-* Veterans' Preference
-* Vocational Education
-* Volunteerism
-* Welfare and Poverty
-* Women and Poverty
-* Women and Development
-* Women and Religion
-* Women and Owners
-* Women Business Owners
-* Women's Arts and Media
-* Women's Bookstores
-* Women's Centers
-* Women's Educational Equity Act
-* Women's Movement
-* Working-class Women
-The letters sent to the WAA seeking advice or information inspired the almanac. The WAA realized women needed a resource to find solutions for themselves.
-The almanac also served as a comprehensive directory of resources and services for women. Its primary goal was to "provide answers to questions on women's issues and program," through its catalog of subject matter and its directory of "national women organizations and women's caucuses or divisions of national organizations." <ref name=":4" />
 === Other Initiatives ===
+In response to positive feedback, the WAA created a program called "Beginning Equal", which was similar to the Non-Sexist Childhood Development Initiative. Other projects included "Women With Non-Traditional Occupations" and "Children of Single Parents in the Schools". The WAA created a program called "Computer Equity". The research gleaned from this project was used to encourage girls to become more comfortable with technology.<ref name=":0" /> Later programs, like the "Teenage Pregnancy Prevention" project branched out into healthcare and gathered data and information about teen pregnancy by surveying the agencies that served this demographic.
-The feedback to sexism in education, including inquiries and issues shared with the WAA, led the association to establish additional programs to address these issues. "Beginning Equal" was similar to the project that tackled gender roles in preschool, but the project observed preschoolers, their teachers, and parents. Other projects were "Women With Non-Traditional Occupations" and "Children of Single Parents in the Schools".
-"Computer Equity" focused its attention on computer use by boys and girls in six states. The research gleaned from the project was used to encourage girls to become more comfortable with technology.<ref name=":0" /> Later programs, like the "Teenage Pregnancy Prevention" project branched out into healthcare and gathered data and information about teen pregnancy by surveying the agencies that served this demographic.
 == The Sophia Smith Collection of Women's Action Alliance Archives ==
+The Women's Action Alliance received a large number of letters, and generated a large amount of correspondence. There are 117.25 feet of records located at the [[Sophia Smith Collection]] in [[Northampton, Massachusetts|Northampton]], [[Massachusetts]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://asteria.fivecolleges.edu/findaids/sophiasmith/mnsss76_main.html|title=Women's Action Alliance Records, 1970-1996|last=|first=|date=|website=Five College Archives & Manuscript Collections|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref> This Collection is the "largest processed collection" to date.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Miller|first=Marla R.|date=2002-07-01|title=Tracking the Women's Movement through the Women's Action Alliance|url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/17461|journal=Journal of Women's History|volume=14|issue=2|pages=154–156|doi=10.1353/jowh.2002.0051|issn=1527-2036}}</ref> The letters document the history of the organization from its inception until its disbandment.<ref name=":3" />
-The extensive number of letters generated by and notes taken by members of The Women's Action Alliance takes up 117.25 feet of records (or 318 boxes) located at the [[Sophia Smith Collection]] in [[Northampton, Massachusetts|Northampton]], [[Massachusetts]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://asteria.fivecolleges.edu/findaids/sophiasmith/mnsss76_main.html|title=Women's Action Alliance Records, 1970-1996|last=|first=|date=|website=Five College Archives & Manuscript Collections|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref> It is the Sophia Smith Collection's "largest processed collection" to date.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Miller|first=Marla R.|date=2002-07-01|title=Tracking the Women's Movement through the Women's Action Alliance|url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/17461|journal=Journal of Women's History|volume=14|issue=2|pages=154–156|doi=10.1353/jowh.2002.0051|issn=1527-2036}}</ref> Everything from the group's inception in 1971 to its disbandment in 1997 is in these files and can be viewed at the facility today.<ref name=":3" />
 ==References==