For the last year, The Memphis Center for Reproductive  Health has been working with Dr. Sarah Potter, Assistant Professor of History at the Univerity of Memphis, to collect oral histories from individuals involved in MCRH's work from the 1970s to present. The oral histories were collected by graduate students in Dr. Potter's Thematic Studies in American History: The Reproductive Rights Movement in the US class during the fall 2009 semester.

 

During this class, students studied, among other things, intersections of sexuality and race, the role of reproductive rights in feminist politics, the gendered implications of medical authority, and the history of the reproductive rights movement in Memphis. Students also collectively conducted and transcribed 14 oral history interviews with MCRH staff, board members, and volunteers, past and present.

 

These interviews will become part of the permant collection at the Oral History Research Office at the University of Memphis in the Ned R. McWherter Library for future students, researchers, and community members to acccess.

 

MCRH is proud to have collaborated with Dr. Potter and her students to help preserve these pieces of feminist history in Memphis. MCRH will be sending more information about this project in the coming weeks.