Sponsored by Church-related Protestant, Catholic and Jewish Women’s organizations searching for the religious roots of women’s liberation.
“Women in prison have an average of two children “out there”. This is why we must do for women and for their families all they cannot do for themselves”
Sister Margaret Ellen Traxler
Philosophy of Women’s Liberation
The Institute of Women Today had programs on twelve levels for women in one jail, Cook County, one of the largest in the country and four other prisons.
The Institute for Women Today brought lawyers to teach law, art teachers who have weekly classes and sometimes week-end workshops during which time they experiment in all forms of media. They sponsored intensive journal workshops using the Ira Progoff method in prisons for both men and women. There were creative writing, drama, music, poetry, dance, and most of the fine arts.
This work included The Philosophy of Women’s Liberation conference held on May 15,16,17 1981 with an open submission for papers to be submitted by December 1st 1980. Papers submitted included “Feminist Perspectives on Epistomology and the Philosophy of Science” by Sandra Harding, “New Concepts in the Philosophy of Work as Related to Women” by Janice Moulton and “The Ultimate Sexism of amniocentesis” by Roberta Steinbacher.
Legal Services for Women in Prison
This is one of 338 organizations residing in the Chicago Area that played a critical role in educating and providing legal aid for women in prisons. If you know of more organizations please submit the info here.