The VWHC’s research and oral history work focused initially on the history of reproductive rights in the pioneer valley before Roe v. Wade and on the origins and early years of Women’s Studies at the University of Massachusetts. Various volunteers also chose to interview prominent women political and educational leaders in the Pioneer Valley. The oral histories of reproductive rights in our area formed the basis of David P. Cline's book, Creating Choice: A Community Responds to the Need for Abortion and Birth Control, 1961-1973(Palgrave Macmillan, 2006). Creating Choicewas a recipient of the Margaret Sanger Award for Work on Reproductive Health in 2006.
VWHC collection at SCUA
- Judi Fonsch (1999 ABC interview with Susan Tracy)
- Elaine Fraser (1999 interview by Judi Fonsch
- Pat Green (1999 ABC interview with Susan Tracy)
- Jeannie Jones (1999 ABC interview with Susan Tracy)
- Robin Dizard (1999 ABC interview with Susan Tracy)
- Ann Meeropol (1999 Women's Health Counseling Service interview)
- Mary Moe (1999 Women's Health Counseling Service interview)
- Sherill Oake (1999 Women's Health Counseling Service interview)
- Lorna Peterson (1999 Women's Health Counseling Service interview)
- Alice Zaft(1999 Women's Health Counseling Service interview)
- Betty Wright (1999 Women's Health Counseling Service interview)