Sophia Smith Collection

Sophia Smith late 1860s

BirthControlReview1923

The Sophia Smith Collection is an internationally recognized repository of manuscripts, photographs, periodicals, and other primary sources in women's history. It is housed at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. The collection was established in 1942 and named in honor of Sophia Smith, the founder of Smith College.

History[edit | edit source]

The Sophia Smith Collection was founded to document the history and achievements of women. It began with a donation of materials from the National American Woman Suffrage Association and has since grown to include over 10,000 linear feet of material. The collection is one of the oldest and most extensive archives of its kind in the world.

Holdings[edit | edit source]

The collection includes personal papers, organizational records, and other materials that document the lives and work of women. Notable holdings include the papers of Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, and Margaret Sanger. The collection also contains extensive records related to the women's suffrage movement, feminism, and women's rights.

Access and Use[edit | edit source]

The Sophia Smith Collection is open to researchers, students, and the general public. Materials can be accessed in the reading room at Smith College's Neilson Library. The collection also offers digital resources and online finding aids to facilitate research.