Introducing this website

The Women in Publishing Oral History aims to create a permanent record, in their own voices, of women who worked in publishing in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s.  These decades were the heyday of the networking organisation Women in Publishing (WiP).  Oral history is the most effective way of capturing and preserving social history and giving a voice to the women themselves.

The full interviews

The Women in Publishing Oral History has recorded interviews with 30 women. The interviews vary in length from 2 to10 hours.  Some interviews are available now at the British Library in London and Yorkshire, and more will become available soon.  In the near future, to be advised, they will be uploaded and available online worldwide.

Arrangement of website

This website offers a taste of the complete Women in Publishing Oral History with audio clips  selected from the full interviews to chronicle the development and effect of WiP over three decades.  The clips are arranged by Theme and Interviewee. Each clip has a transcript.

Themes and Sub-Themes

• A Gentleman’s Profession
• The Beginning of WiP
• The Beginning of WiP: Meetings
• The Beginning of WiP: Conference
• Changing the Status Quo: Training;
• Changing the Status Quo: Campaigning
• Changing the Status Quo: Childcare
• Changing the Status Quo: WiP Beyond London
• Celebrating Women’s Achievements and Successes
• WiP Then and Now
• WiP’s Impact

Contributing to the site

You can add a comment about anything on the website by clicking on the ‘Add a comment’ link at the bottom of each page. You can also submit your own photos, stories or information to the site by using our contribution form.