mnsss497 Margaret G. Frantz Papers, 1958-2005 Finding Aid Sophia Smith Collection

Smith College Northampton, MA

2010

Finding aid exported into EAD from InMagic DB/Textworks 12.0. Encoded by Margaret Jessup. July 26, 2010 Finding aid written in English. Collection Overview Frantz, Margaret G. Margaret G. Frantz Papers1958-2005 MS 658 16 boxes (19.25 linear ft.) English Sophia Smith Collection

Smith College Northampton, MA

Professor; Pacifist; Labor reform advocate. The collection includes correspondence, clippings, and articles, with a substantial amount from author and close friend Jessica Mitford. Materials pertaining to Frantz's teaching career at the University of California at Santa Cruz; topics include Women's Studies and American Studies curricula, women's rights, civil rights, radical social movements in the U.S., and second and third wave feminism. [NOTE: The contents list for this collection is not online. Contact the Sophia Smith Collection if you would like one sent to you.] Biographical Note

Born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1922, Marge Frantz has been a lifelong activist. Introduced to radical politics and the Communist Party by her father Joe Gelders, Frantz's activism began early, with the Young Communist League in 1935. Frantz's Party activity ranged from selling the Daily Worker on the New York City subway to organizing the Alabama delegation to the American Youth Congress. Frantz finally left the Party in 1956, though her agitation far from ceased. She was an organizer for the United Electrical Workers, campaigned for Wallace, worked for Planned Parenthood, was a part of the free speech movement in Berkeley, and a stalwart of the peace movement. After she and husband Laurent (also a radical and former CP member) had four children, Frantz returned to college (graduating from Berkeley in 1972) and went on to a PhD from the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she spent three decades as a celebrated and inspirational teacher. Frantz retired from teaching, but continued her activism, and is living with her partner Eleanor in Santa Cruz.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The collection includes correspondence, clippings, and articles, with a substantial amount from author and close friend Jessica Mitford. Materials pertaining to Frantz's teaching career at the University of California at Santa Cruz; topics include Women's Studies and American Studies curricula, women's rights, civil rights, radical social movements in the U.S., and second and third wave feminism.

[NOTE: The contents list for this collection is not online. Contact the Sophia Smith Collection if you would like one sent to you.]

The papers are open to research according to the regulations of the Sophia Smith Collection.

Collection is stored offsite; researchers must give 48 hours advance notice.

This collection has not been fully processed and therefore may be difficult to use.

The material in this collection may be protected by copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights for permission to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use." Permission must also be obtained from the Sophia Smith Collection as owners of the physical property.

Preferred Citation

Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection:

Margaret G. Frantz Papers, Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College, Northampton, Mass.

Periodic additions to collection are expected and may not be reflected in this record.

The Margaret G. Frantz Papers were donated to the Sophia Smith Collection by Margaret G. Frantz beginning in January 2010.

Accessioned by Burd Schlessinger, February 2010

Feminists -- History -- 20th century -- Sources College teachers -- United States -- History -- Sources Jewish women Lesbians -- United States -- Biography -- Sources Women's studies -- California Women radicals -- United States -- Biography -- Sources Women civil rights workers -- United States -- Correspondence Communists -- United States -- Biography -- Sources Frantz, Margaret G. Mitford, Jessica, 1917-1996 Mitford, Jessica, 1917-1996