Accompanied a major exhibition at the British Library, aimed towards sparking debate on bold ideas. Taking a forward-facing, activism-oriented look at how the history of women’s rights informs the continued fight for equality, this title features sixteen new essays exploring topics as disparate as gender fluidity, black women’s access to education, and the right to sexual pleasure.

In the midst of today’s highly politicised debates on gender equality, one thing is clear: the fight for women’s rights is unfinished business. This book, which accompanies a bold and forward-facing British Library exhibition, presents the history of women’s rights in sixteen diverse and timely essays. Among the topics explored are biology, including the first female anatomical skeleton; women’s right to sexual pleasure; women’s Suffrage; the fight for equal education and employment through the Women’s Liberation movement; and how this rich history works today as an engine to power future change.

From personal diaries, banners and protest fashion to subversive literature, film, music and art, no topic is too taboo: Unfinished Business presents how women and their allies have fought for equality with passion, imagination, humour and tenacity.

1: BODY
Image
Biology
Autonomy

2: MIND
Education
Work
Public Presence

3: VOICE
Protest & Partnership
Recovery
Expression

 

You can find out more about the exhibition here: https://www.bl.uk/events/unfinished-business

About the Editors:

Polly Russell is Lead Curator for Contemporary Politics and Public Life at the British Library. She is also a food historian and co-presenter of the BBC’s Back in Time for… series.

Margaretta Jolly is Professor of Cultural Studies at the University of Sussex, working with the British Library to support the collection of women’s liberation history.