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1977 Spring Equinox cover of
All social change and cultural movements have their associated resources for the exchange of information, ideas, stories, and other creative works. Particularly in the women’s movement, the effort to create newsletters, journals, and other forms of art and information dissemination was a proactive step taken to assert and center women’s stories and to locate the power of the press within women-run communities. These periodicals and artworks, both large and small in scale, reveal the ways women connected to each other, to nature, and to larger spiritual and cultural concepts.
Local artist, activist, storyteller, and self-identified "LFW" or Lesbian Feminist Witch, Jay Goldspinner (formerly Joan Wattles) was engaged with many of these communities, particularly those characterizing the spiritual elements of the women’s liberation and feminist movements, and collected and saved their periodicals, books, and music. A researcher, teacher, and re-teller of goddess stories from around the world, Jay produced radio show content; led recreational programming for over forty years in schools, camps, churches, and festivals, including as staff member of the Eastern Cooperative Recreation School; in 1978 was the founder of "Parthenogenesis" a group of Worcester women promoting feminist activities; and was a published writer and artist. As noted in a short biography,
Her collection includes documentation of her personal life and work as a performing artist as well as her collection of published materials such as journals, books, and music focusing on feminist linguistics and art, goddess myths and spirituality, Wiccan and witch traditions, progressive politics, and women's spirituality and community in local and international settings. They are unique windows into discourses of women's history, feminist movements, lesbian community making, and social change work."Jay teaches dramatics, games, art and storytelling, is a mother, paperhanger and painter, writer, craftsperson, witch and wonder woman. Her loving concern for the earth and for women shines through her stories, her art and her life."
The Jay Goldspinner Collection consists of issues of feminist and progressive periodicals, journals, newsletters, books, music and limited-edition chapbooks, from local and self-published items to nationally and internationally circulating titles. A growing amount of personal material, including scrapbooks, ephemera, and correspondence documents Goldspinner's activities and interests as an activist, storyteller, traveler, and community member and organizer. Her work as a storyteller in western Massachusetts and New England more broadly is especially well documented through notebooks, newsletters, workshop materials, and audio recordings.
Books and chapbooks:
Long Playing Records:
The collection is open for research.
Gift of Jay Goldspinner, 2016 and 2023.
Processed by Blake Spitz, 2016 and 2023.
9 issues of the quarterly journal put out by Donna Henes, a ceremonial artist and urban shaman. The full run was 32 issues from 1999-2006.
Issue number 2, published by The Blatant Image out of the home of Jean and Ruth Mountaingrove in Oregon.
Issue number 13 (Autumn 1984) of a quarterly published by a collective of lesbians in Iowa City, IA, from 1981 to 1996.
Original research drawings by artist Ann Rosemary Conway, director of Dream Hill Studio in British Columbia, Canada. Second edition.
Coloring book by Jay Goldspinner, with drawings of goddesses from around the world, with extensive references.
17 issues of the international women's spirituality newspaper put out by editor Willow LaMonte.
Coloring and activity book with cutout figures and clothing, some already colored/painted. Figures range from Sappho ("Around 600 B.C.") to Bessie Smith (1898-1937) chronologically.
The Spring 1978 issue of Heresies: A Feminist Publication on Art and Politics. The Heresies Collective was a group of New York-based artists, performers, academics, writers, and critics who published the influential feminist arts journal Heresies from 1977 to 1993. All 27 issues are available online:
7 issues of the newsletter published by the Ozark Center for Language Studies (OCLS) and written by linguist Suzette Haden Elgin (Patricia Anne Wilkins), known for her scholarly work in linguistics, the development of a feminist language called Láadan, and her publications in science fiction and other genres.
Lunar calendar, published in Baltimore, MD by Debbye (last name unknown) and Mary Ellen Keniston.
Volume 4, Number 2, 2004. Indiana U Press.
26 issues from a local newsletter put out by the Franklin County Progressive Network, based in Greenfield, MA. Formerly
2 issues of the retail mail-order sales catalog from JBL Devotional Statues.
Special issue (Summer 1979) "on being old & age," published by the Iowa City Women's Press. Also available online through
Special issue (22/23) from 1983 "A Gathering of Spirit" of the "Journal of Words and Pictures for the Lesbian Imagination in All Women," published by the Iowa City Women's Press. Also available online through
Issue 2 (Autumn 1997), of a quarterly published magazine by editors/publishers Brenda Yang and Sally King and Spinsters Publishing Company in Seattle, WA. "SpindleWeed is a magazine exploring the weaving of the green plants into our daily life and a tradition of healing and living where we are seen and cherished for being whole and perfect in the present moment."
28 issues of the newsletter put out by the Susan B. Anthony Coven, the first feminist, women-only, witches' coven, founded by Zsuzanna "Z" Budapest. The name was changed from Themis in 1981 after Budapest learned the name was covered by a sorority held copyright, but continued its numeration from that title into the new one.
7 issues of a local Neopagan and Wiccan inspired newsletter put out by editor Mark Roblee, based in Shutesbury, MA.
An almost complete run (36 issues), of the seminal magazine of feminist spirituality, produced by a transient group of volunteer women, feminists, and lesbians who migrated through the home of editors Jean and Ruth Mountaingrove in southern Oregon. Printed quarterly through the decade 1974-1984, the magazine featured writings and art from women, covered women’s culture, spirituality, rituals, healing, life stages, feminism, politics and much more, and was international in scope and contributors.
Issues 14, 15, and 21 of the quarterly "magazine of feminism, spirituality, and politics," published in Cambridge, MA. Was published by women of power, Inc. 1985 until at least 1994.
Project spearheaded by Goldspinner to raise funds for the Mungano Women's Group in Kenya to purchase an engine for their dhow (boat).
Goldspinner's scrapbook of photographs documenting places people created or recognized (usually in stones) a presence or sacredness. Majority are in New England region.
Goldspinner's scrapbook documenting her family, friends, activities, and also clippings related to women or groups she admired or emulated. Bulk dates 1981-1999.
Three self-published audiocasettes: Rootwomen Stories: Stories of strong women...; and Spinning the Tales of the Goddess, parts 1-2.
Recordings of Goldspinner's storytelling on local Greenfield, Mass. radio station WMCB LP 10.7.9FM on Michael Pollitt's show "Spinning Tales from All Walks of Life."