Letter to the Editor, New York Times Magazine
Item
rh a a a 4 Dag
Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
"Bedford Avenue and Avenue H_ Brooklyn, New York 11210
i
Women’s Studies Program March 21, 1977
‘The New York Times
ii itt 220 West 43 St.
pan ie - New York, N.Y. 10036
Re
ee To the Editor of the Magazine section:
As an historian ensaged in Women's Studies, I want to
express my outrage at Ann Roiphe's article on Sarah Lawrence
College in the March 20th issue. To the degree that ths
Heol s article dignifies homophobia, it is deplorable. Ann Roiphe
ie should know better than to cater to such anxieties.
To the extent that the article impusns the excellent
Ups Sarah Lawrence prorram in Women's Studies with its widely |
: respected sraduate’ dezree in Women's History, it is repugnant.
A sophisticated female journalist should be aware, by now, |
ye that imputations of lesbianism are and always have been }
ue - @ terrorist tactic designed to subvert the women's movement
1 in general and Women's Studies in particular.
My experience of the women's movement in academe
is that of committed scholars and feminists, exploring
new intellectual horizons. It is understandable that
the potential paradigmatic breakthrough will threaten
ae some people, but for.a reputable newspaper to sink to
eit the level of pornographic analysis is bad news (sic!) indeed.
- Renate Bridenthal
Assistant Professor, History
Coordinator, Women's Studies
Brooklyn College : ;
Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
"Bedford Avenue and Avenue H_ Brooklyn, New York 11210
i
Women’s Studies Program March 21, 1977
‘The New York Times
ii itt 220 West 43 St.
pan ie - New York, N.Y. 10036
Re
ee To the Editor of the Magazine section:
As an historian ensaged in Women's Studies, I want to
express my outrage at Ann Roiphe's article on Sarah Lawrence
College in the March 20th issue. To the degree that ths
Heol s article dignifies homophobia, it is deplorable. Ann Roiphe
ie should know better than to cater to such anxieties.
To the extent that the article impusns the excellent
Ups Sarah Lawrence prorram in Women's Studies with its widely |
: respected sraduate’ dezree in Women's History, it is repugnant.
A sophisticated female journalist should be aware, by now, |
ye that imputations of lesbianism are and always have been }
ue - @ terrorist tactic designed to subvert the women's movement
1 in general and Women's Studies in particular.
My experience of the women's movement in academe
is that of committed scholars and feminists, exploring
new intellectual horizons. It is understandable that
the potential paradigmatic breakthrough will threaten
ae some people, but for.a reputable newspaper to sink to
eit the level of pornographic analysis is bad news (sic!) indeed.
- Renate Bridenthal
Assistant Professor, History
Coordinator, Women's Studies
Brooklyn College : ;
Title
Letter to the Editor, New York Times Magazine
Description
As women's studies programs began to emerge in colleges around the country, faculty had to fight to legitimize the field of academic inquiry and interdisciplinary framing. Furthermore, several programs had to fend off homophobic and misogynist attempts to delegitimize the field, from both within their institutions and the broader public.
This letter, penned by Women's Studies Program co-founder and historian Renate Bridenthal, was sent to the New York Times Magazine editor after they ran a story about Sarah Lawrence's women's studies program in which the journalist pandered to fears of faculty spreading lesbianism amongst students. Bridenthal's firm reply calls out the tactic for what she called an attempt to "subvert the women's movement in general and Women's Studies in particular," and shows a broad kinship with and commitment to the field of women's studies.
This letter, penned by Women's Studies Program co-founder and historian Renate Bridenthal, was sent to the New York Times Magazine editor after they ran a story about Sarah Lawrence's women's studies program in which the journalist pandered to fears of faculty spreading lesbianism amongst students. Bridenthal's firm reply calls out the tactic for what she called an attempt to "subvert the women's movement in general and Women's Studies in particular," and shows a broad kinship with and commitment to the field of women's studies.
Creator
Bridenthal, Renate
Date
March 21, 1977
Language
English
Publisher
New York Times Magazine
Rights
Obtained from Contributor - Copyright Unknown
Source
Brooklyn College Library, Archives and Special Collections
Original Format
Diary / Correspondence
Bridenthal, Renate. Letter. “Letter to the Editor, New York Times Magazine.”, CUNY DIGITAL HISTORY ARCHIVE, accessed March 10, 2026, https://stephenz.tailc22a4b.ts.net/s/cdha/item/867