Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture records, 1996-2011

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Summary

Creator:
Bitch Media (Organization)
Abstract:
In 1996, Bitch: Feminst Response to Pop Culture was created by Lisa Jervis, Benjamin Shaykin, and Andi Zeisler. After having a hard time finding critiques of sexism in pop culture in magazines and self published zines, they decided to make their own. Their goals are to write about sexism in pop culture, propose alternatives, and promote pop products that are pro-woman and pro-feminism. The magazine's final issue was April 2022. The collection includes production records for magazine issues, editorial correspondence, research files, meeting notes, promotional and subscription material, audio cassette and mini-cassette tapes, VHS tape, mini-disks, color and black-and-white photographs, negatives, color transparencies, and t-shirts and tote bags. Acquired as part of the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture.
Extent:
13 Linear Feet
Language:
Material in English
Collection ID:
RL.00113

Background

Scope and content:

Chiefly production records for magazine issues, including drafts and edited copy for articles, laser printer and resin-coated paper page layouts, and color proofs. Includes editorial correspondence, research files, meeting notes, promotional and subscription material, audio cassette and mini-cassette tapes, VHS tape, mini-disks, color and black-and-white photographs, negatives, color transparencies, t-shirts, and tote bags.

Biographical / historical:

In 1996, Bitch: Feminst Response to Pop Culture was created by Lisa Jervis, Benjamin Shaykin, and Andi Zeisler. As feminists and pop culture addicts, Lisa and Andi shared not only experiences as interns at Sassy magazine, but also an interest in creative, humorous, and biting analysis of sexism in pop culture. After having a hard time finding this in magazines and self published zines, they decided to make their own. The goals of their magazine were to "point out the everyday sexism of popular culture, propose alternatives, and celebrate pro-woman, pro-feminism pop products." Bitch magazine includes critiques of magazines, TV, films, advertising, and other pop culture areas. Also included are new book and movie reviews and interviews with feminist "pop culture makers".

Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture was published by Bitch Media, also known as B-Word Worldwide, a non-profit independent, feminist media organization. In addition to publishing Bitch magazine, Bitch Media also produced a podcast, Popaganda and Backtalk, and created a speaker series, Bitch on Campus. The magazine's last issue was April, 2022, and Bitch Media ceased operations in mid-2022.

Acquisition information:
The Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture Records were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 2001. Additions were received in 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, and 2019.
Processing information:

Processed by Rachel Ingold, November 2008

Encoded by Rachel Ingold, November 2008

Accessions 2001-0240, 2002-0278, 2003-0266, 2007-0018, 2007-0192, and 2008-0256 were merged into one collection, described in this finding aid.

Accession 2023-0014 added by Tracy M. Jackson, July 2023.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials


Restrictions:

Access note. Collection contains electronic records that may need to be reformatted. Access copies of electronic records require special equipment. Contact Research Services for access.

Access note. Collection contains fragile audiovisual formats that may need to be reformatted before use. Contact Research Services for access.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture Records, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University