Women in the 1950s
Women in the 1950s is an initiative organised by Dr Penny Tinkler (Sociology, University of Manchester), Dr Stephanie Spencer (Faculty of Education, University of Winchester) and Dr Claire Langhamer (History, University of Sussex).
Our aims are to
- shed light on a hitherto neglected generation of girls and women
- facilitate reflection on the relationship between the 1950s and the 1960s/1970s, particularly in light of the Women’s Liberation Movement.
Our objectives are to
- establish a network of scholars who are researching, and/or who are interested in, girls and women in 1950s Britain
- organise events to disseminate findings and promote further research on girls and women in the 1950s.
Events
Fifties Film: women and gender in focus
A One-day Seminar at the University of Sussex (School of Humanities), Brighton.
Friday 29th May 2009
10.00 am – 4.00 pm
‘Picture-going’ was a major leisure pursuit of teenage girls and adult women in the fifties. Reflecting back on these experiences, women often recall the films they watched with considerable clarity. For Annette Kuhn, it was Mandy, released in 1952, that made a particularly strong impression. So what can historians of women and gender do with film, and how?
In this seminar we explore different ways of approaching, and working with, film as a historical resource for the study of women and gender in the 1950s.
How can a study of film advance understandings of femininity and gender relations in the 1950s? How can an exploration of film and ‘picture-going’ shed light on the informal education of teenage girls and adult women in this decade?
This event is sponsored by the: History of Education Society, Gender and Education Association, and University of Sussex.
Booking and payment
Participation in this seminar is by prior reservation only. As places are limited, you are advised to book early. The closing date for receipt of bookings is 22 May 2009. There is a fee of £10, payable in advance, which includes lunch and refreshments.
Further details about the event are available from Dr Claire Langhamer, email: c.l.langhamer@sussex.ac.uk