Re: feminist anthropology list(s)?

Heather Howard (g5aa4@CHASS.UTORONTO.CA)
Thu, 30 May 1996 13:42:30 -0400

On Wed, 29 May 1996, Christiana Miewald wrote:

> Sorry if this is off the topic, but I was wondering if anyone knew of
> lists that deal specifically with feminist anthropology? I'm looking for
> help with a paper on beauty pageants. Thanks.
>

I'm sending this info. to the list because it may be of interest to
others. While I hope that a discussion of "what's feminist anthropology"
can emerge, here are some more practical directions for Christiana.
First, the American Anthropological Asso. has an Association for
Feminist Anthropology -- while I don't think there is a list per se,
Cheryl Rodriguez is the most recent contributing editor for the AFA in
the "Anthropology Newsletter" where she published her e-mail address:
crodrigu@luna.cas.usf.edu -- perhaps she can give you some guidance.
Secondly, here in Canada, we have a women's network list that just
recently got started through our Canadian Anthropological Society. Send
the message: subscribe CASCAWN-RF your name to listserv@yorku.ca. Also, I
find the history of women list quite useful for requesting information in
a variety of disciplines; for that one send subscribe H-WOMEN your name,
to listserv@msu.edu.

For John Pastore and others who want to learn about feminist anthropology
I would also recommend Diane Wolf's edited collection "Feminist Dilemmas
in Fieldwork" (1996) which provides an excellent overview of the plethora
of feminist contributions to anthropology, as well as to history,
sociology, and geography which unfortunately remains at the margins of these
disciplines. The book also presents a range of current issues that make
it a must for any graduate course with students who will be soon
heading out to the field, like myself. Holly Martelle has made an
important point that feminist anthropology has been offering reflexive
critiques for a long time, and has, in my view, also made substantial
advances in the practical sense of combining theory and praxis through
sophisticated, innovative and experimental ethnographic methods.
Feminist anthropology has therefore done a great deal to not just
elucidate/include women/gender issues where they were previously
invisible, but to providing insights on the natures
of societal and cultural structures, constructs, and categories --
insights that would be helpful for anyone, and not just those who are
interested specifically in women's issues.
Well that's my two cents,
Heather Howard
Dept. of Anthropology
University of Toronto