Transnational Feminism in Non-English Speaking Europe, c.1960-1990

“This book is a welcome and much-needed addition to the literature on twentieth-century feminism, beyond the familiar Anglophone focus. It explores the dynamic exchanges of feminist ideas through grassroots activism, media, and international organizations in chapters on Iceland, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Poland, and the Soviet Union. This volume not only enriches our understanding of European feminisms but also encourages a broader, more inclusive view of feminist history. Thus it is an essential read for scholars and students of feminist theory and history.”

-Mineke Bosch, University of Groningen, The Netherlands

“This is an original and useful contribution to the field of feminist studies. It looks away from the familiar debates of Anglophone feminisms (though acknowledging US and British influence), instead addressing the history of feminisms in other national contexts and internationally. There is a welcome look at particularly Scandinavian feminisms but also valuable comparisons with the Eastern European concept of a state-endorsed female empowerment (if not feminism).  The focus on women in the Soviet sector is welcome because they have been little studied from the point of view of second wave activism and modern feminist theory.”

-Jad Adams, Institute of English, School of Advanced Study, University of London, UK

This edited collection aims to look beyond established narratives of feminist history, by focusing on non-English speaking European countries. Recent scholarship on the history of the women’s liberation movement in individual countries has enhanced our understanding of the importance of transnational influences in the history of European feminism, and problematised the periodisation of feminisms. Additionally, the translation of feminist practices and texts have received interest during the past years. Despite this work, the United States, and to a lesser extent the United Kingdom, are still the main points of reference in histories of post-war feminism. This book asks what happens to the picture if we place non-English speaking European countries in the centre. Using Lucy Delap’s concept of ‘mosaic feminism’, its contributors emphasise the variety of patterns that women’s feminist organising showed in different cultural contexts despite similarities in their ideological corner stones. 

Heidi Kurvinen is Collegium Researcher in the Turku Institute for Advanced Studies at the University of Turku, Finland.

Agnes Andeweg is Assistant Professor at University College Utrecht, the Netherlands.