Searching for scientific womanpower : technocratic feminism and the politics of national security, 1940-1980 / Laura Micheletti Puaca.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Puaca, Laura Micheletti, author.

Series:

Gender & American culture

Gender and American culture

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Feminism--United States--History--20th century.

Feminism.

Women scientists.

History.

United States.

Women's rights--United States--History--20th century.

Women's rights.

Women scientists--United States--History--20th century.

National security--United States--History--20th century.

National security.

Cold War.

Physical Description:

xiii, 261 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Chapel Hill : The University of North Carolina Press, [2014]

Summary:

"This compelling history of what Laura Micheletti Puaca terms "technocratic feminism" traces contemporary feminist interest in science to the World War II and early Cold War years. During a period when anxiety about America's supply of scientific personnel ran high and when open support for women's rights generated suspicion, feminist reformers routinely invoked national security rhetoric and scientific "manpower" concerns in their efforts to advance women's education and employment. Despite the limitations of this strategy, it laid the groundwork for later feminist reforms in both science and society. The past and present manifestations of technocratic feminism also offer new evidence of what has become increasingly recognized as a "long women's rights movement." Drawing on an impressive array of archival collections and primary sources, Puaca brings to light the untold story of an important but largely overlooked strand of feminist activism. This book reveals much about the history of American feminism, the politics of national security, and the complicated relationship between the two. "-- Provided by publisher.

"This compelling history traces contemporary feminist interest in science to the World War II and early Cold War years. During a period when anxiety about America's supply of scientific personnel ran high and when open support for women's rights generated suspicion, feminist reformers routinely invoked national security rhetoric and scientific "manpower" concerns in their efforts to advance women's education and employment. Puaca brings to light the untold story of an important but largely overlooked strand of feminist activism. This book reveals much about the history of American feminism, the politics of national security, and the complicated relationship between the two"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Chapter 1 The War of "Trained Brains" 9

Chapter 2 Endless Frontiers for Scientific Womanpower 43

Chapter 3 Scientific Womanpower Enters the Sputnik Era 85

Chapter 4 Science and the Second Wave 127.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781469610818

1469610817

OCLC:

861207426

Online:

Cover image