Ruth Bleier papers, 1945-1988.

Format:

Other

Author/Creator:

Lear, Walter J. (Walter Jay), 1923- collector.

Contributor:

Bleier, Ruth, 1923-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bleier, Ruth, 1923-.

Bleier, Ruth.

University of Wisconsin--Madison.

Association for Women in Science.

Maryland Committee for Peace.

Korean War, 1950-1953--Protest movements.

Korean War, 1950-1953.

Anti-communist movements--United States--History.

Anti-communist movements.

Sex discrimination against women.

History.

Feminism and education.

Protest movements.

United States.

Feminism and education--History--20th century.

Sex discrimination against women--United States--History.

Science--Social aspects.

Science.

Women in science.

Genre:

Manuscripts, American.

Penn Provenance:

Acquired by Walter J. Lear from Kathy Eisenberg (Bleier's daughter), 2005.

Gift of Walter J. Lear, 2006.

Physical Description:

3 boxes

Arrangement:

Arranged in 6 series: Personal Correspondence, 1953-1988 (1 box); Professional Correspondence, 1972-1986 (4 folders); Academic Writings, 1979-1986 (1 folder); Peace Activism, 1950-1955 (divided into subseries for FBI File, 1974-1979 (2 folders); House Un-American Activities Committee Investigation, 1951-1984 (3 folders); Maryland Committee for Peace, 1950-1951 (9 folders); Maryland Peace Council, 1952-1955 (5 folders); and Other Organizations, 1951 (1 folder)); Women's Rights Activism, 1971-1987 (divided into subseries for Association of Faculty Women/University Community Women, 1974-1979 (3 folders); Association of Women in Science, 1972-1975 (2 folders); Joan Roberts Tenure Denial Case, 1972-1974 (2 folders); and Feminism in Science, Medicine, and Academia Issues and Background, 1971-1987 (3 folders)); and Biographical Materials, 1945-1988 (1 folder).

Place of Publication:

1945-1988.

Biography/History:

Founder, Institute of Social Medicine and Community Health.

Summary:

The papers of Ruth Bleier, including personal and professional letters; newspaper clippings; newsletters; professional writings; and reference materials, documenting Bleier's academic and activist activities. She earned a medical degree from the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1949 and later became an important influence in the study of neuroanatomy as well as in the field of women's studies. Her activism spanned four decades and multiple causes, ranging from protesting the Korean War and nuclear weapons to women's rights. She was identified as a possible threat during the McCarthy era for her role as the chairman of the Maryland Committee for Peace, and was subpoenaed to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1951. The incident caused her to lose her bid for entry into the Baltimore Medical Society. After joining the University of Wisconsin's department of neurophysiology in 1967, Bleier became an active agitator for women's rights within the University of Wisconsin and academia in general. Her involvement in the feminist movement led her to help found the women's studies program at the University of Wisconsin, where she remained actively involved while still pursuing research in the neurosciences. She died in 1988.

Notes:

Forms part of: U. S. Health Activism History Collection.