Women's studies encompasses a diverse range of topics in all academic fields that relate to women and their experiences. Any topic about women or any endeavors pursued by women could be considered part of women's studies: sex roles, job discrimination by sex, implications of socio-biological theories, equal rights, women mathematicians, images of women in the media, feminist novels, etc. The key unifying concept is "woman-centeredness." That is, women's studies attempts to reconstruct all fields of study so that the legitimate concerns of women will receive their proper attention. In the past, academic fields of study have been male-centered and male-dominated, slighting the perspective of women. Despite the advances in women's studies during the past thirty years, integrated change in traditional male-centered fields of study remains slow.
The sources listed in this guide should provide an excellent start for research on any women's studies topic. included are reference books, subject headings to use for searching the library catalog, periodicals currently received, electronic databass and Internet resources. Many more sources can be located by searching the Library Catalog using appropriate subject headings. Remember to consult a librarian at the Reference Desk any time you have questions.
Reference Books
Encyclyopedias & Dictionaries
- Contemporary Biography. Women. 2 vols. 1983- [Ref. HQ 1236 C63]
- Larousse Dictionary of Women. 1996 [Ref. HQ 1115 L37 1996]
- Lesser-known Women: A Biographical Dictionary. 1992 [Ref. CT 3203 G57 1992]
- Notable American Women, 1607-1950. A Biographical Dictionary. 1971 [Ref. CT 3260 N57]
- Notable American Women - The Modern Period. A Biographical Dictionary. 1980 [Ref. CT 3260 N573]
- Reader's Guide to Women's Studies. 1998 [Z 7961 R43 1998]
- Reference Library of American Women. 4 vols. 1999 [Ref. CT3260 .R44 1999]
- Who's Who of American Women. 1999-2000 [Ref. CT 3260 W5]
- Women's Desk Reference. 1993 [Ref. HQ 1236.5 U6 F73 1993]
African Americans, Native Americans & Latinas
- A to Z of Native American Women. 1998 [Ref. E 98 W8 S65 1998]
- African American Women: A Biographical Dictionary. 1993 [Ref. E 185.96 A45 1993]
- American Black Women in the Arts and Social Sciences. 1994 [Ref. E 185.86 W56 1994]
- American Indian Women: A Guide to Research. 1991 [Ref. E 98 W8 B36 1991]
- Black American Women in Literature. A Bibliography, 1976 through 1987. 1989 [Ref. PS 153 N5 1989]
- Black American Women Novelists. An Annotated Bibliography. 1989 [Ref. PS 153 N5 W47 1989]
- Black Women in America: An Historical Encyclopedia. 2 vols. 1993 [Ref. E 185.86 B542 1993]
- Facts on File Encyclopedia of Black Women in America. 1997 [Ref. E185.96 .F22 1997]
- Honey, Hush! An Anthology of African American Women's Humor. 1998 [Ref. PN6231 N5 H66 1998]
- Index to Poetry by Black American Women. 1986 [Ref. PS 153 N5 C452 1986]
- Latinas of the Americas: A Source Book. 1989 [Ref. HQ 1460.5 S76 1989]
- Native American Women: A Biographical Dictionary. 1993 [Ref. E 98 W8 B38 1993]
- Notable Black American Women. 1992 [Ref. E 185.96 N68 1992]
- Notable Hispanic American Women. 1993 [E 184 S75 N68 1993]
- Notable Twentieth-century Latin American Women: a Biographical Dictionary. 2001 [Ref. CT3290 .N68 2001]
- U.S. Latino Literature: A Critical Guide for Students and Teachers. 2000 [TMC Ref. PS153.H56 U7 2000]
- Women of Color in the United States: A Guide to the Literature. 1989 [Ref. HQ 1410 R43 1989]
Arts & Literature
- American Proverbs About Women: A Reference Guide. 1998 [Ref. PN 6426 K47 1998]
- Biographical Dictionary of Women Artists in Europe and America Since 1850. 1990 [Ref. N 6757 D86 1990]
- Black Women Film and Video Artists. 1998 [PN1998.2 .B57 1998]
- Dictionary of Women Artists. An International Dictionary of Women Artists Born Before 1900. 1985 [Ref. N 43 P47 1985]
- Feminist Companion to Literature in English. Women Writers from the Middle Ages to the Present. 1990 [Ref. PR 111 F45 1990]
- New Beacon Book of Quotations by Women. 1996 [Ref. PN 6081.5 N48 1996]
- New Quotable Woman. 1992 [Ref. PN 6081.5 N49 1992]
- Painting Women: Victorian Women Artists. 1993 [ND 467 C45 1993]
- Women Artists in the United States: A Selective Bibliography and Resource Guide on the Fine and Decorative Arts, 1750-1986. 1990 [N 6536 W65 1990]
Education
- Directory of Financial Aids for Women. 1991-2000 [Ref. LB 2338 D57]
- Fact Book on Women in Higher Education. 1991 [Ref. LC 1756 T68 1991]
- Historical Dictionary of Women's Education in the United States. 1998 [Ref. LC 1752 H57 1998]
- Sex differences and Learning: An Annotated Bibliography of Educational Research, 1979-1989. 1991 [Ref. LC212.92 .G73 1991]
- Women Educators in the United States, 1820-1993: A Bio-bibliographical Sourcebook. 1994 [Ref. LA 2311 W65 1994]
Feminism
- American Feminist Thought at Century's End: A Reader. 1993 [HQ 1421 A47 1993]
- Companion to Feminist Philosophy. 2000 [Ref. HQ1190 .C665 2000]
- Concise Glossary of Feminist Theory. 1997 [Ref. HQ 1115 A53 1997]
- Dictionary of Feminist Theologies. 1996 [Ref. BT 83.55 D53 1996]
- Dictionary of Feminist Theory. 1995 [Ref. HQ 1115 H86 1995]
- Feminism: A Reference Handbook. 1998 [Ref. HQ 1410 H365]
- Feminism and Christian tradition: An Annotated Bibliography and Critical Introduction to the Literature. 1999 [Ref. Z 7963 R45 W34 1999]
- Feminist Chronicles, 1953-1993. 1993 [Ref. HQ 1420 C33 1993]
- Feminist Research Methods: An Annotated Bibliography. 1991 [Ref. HQ 1180 M54 1991]
- Historical Dictionary of Feminism. 1996 [Ref. HQ 1115 B65 1996]
- Knowledge Explosion: Generations of Feminist Scholarship. 1992 [HQ 1397 K63 1992]
- Mothers and Mothering: An Annotated Feminist Bibliography. 1991 [Ref. HQ 759 D59 1991]
- Significant Contemporary American Feminists: A Biographical Sourcebook. 1999 [HQ 1412 S56 1999]
Health
- AIDS and Women: A Sourcebook. 1991 [Ref. RC 607 A26 W38 1990]
- American Medical Association Complete Guide to Women's Health. 1996 [Ref. RA 778 A485 1996]
- Dr. Ruth's Encyclopedia of Sex. 1994 [Ref. HQ 9 D7 1994]
- For Women Only!: Your Guide to Health Empowerment. 1999 [Ref. RA778 .N883 1999]
- Handbook of Women's Health: An Evidence-based Approach. 2001 [Ref. RA778 .H225 2001]
- New A to Z of Women's Health: A Concise Encyclopedia. 1995 [Ref. RA778 .A494 1995]
- New Our Bodies, Ourselves. 1992 [RA 778 N67 1992]
- PDR Family Guide to Women's Health and Prescription Drugs. 1994 [Ref. RM 301.15 P49 1994]
- Planned Parenthood Women's Health Encylopedia. 1996 [Ref. RA 778 P655 1996]
- Pregnancy and Birth Sourcebook. 1997 [Ref. RG525 .P676 1997]
- Women & Aging: A Guide to the Literature. 1997 [HQ 1064 U5 54 1997]
- Women and Health. 2000 [Ref. RA778 .W742 2000]
- Women's Health Concerns Sourcebook: Basic Information about Health Issues that Affect Women. 1997 [Ref. RA 778 W7543 1997]
- Women's Health on the Internet. 2000 [Ref. RA778 .W756 2000]
History
- ABC-CLIO Companion to Women's Progress in America. 1994 [Ref. HQ 1410 F76 1994]
- American Women Historians, 1700s-1990s: A Biographical Dictionary. 1996 [Ref. E 175 45 S27 1996]
- Chronology of Women Worldwide: People, Places & Events that Shaped Women's History. 1997 [Ref. HQ 1121 C617 1997]
- Chronology of Women's History. 1994 [Ref. HQ 1121 O47 1994]
- Columbia Guide to American Women in the Nineteenth Century. 2000 [Ref. HQ1418 .C58 2000]
- Encyclopedia of Amazons: Women Warriors from Antiquity to the Modern Era. 1991 [Ref. U 51 S34 1991]
- Encyclopedia of Women in American History. 2001 [Ref. HQ1410 .E53 2001 v.1]
- Encyclopedia of Women in the Ancient World. 2001 [Ref. HQ1127 .S25 2001]
- Encyclopedia of Women's History in America. 1996 [Ref. HQ 1410 C85 1996]
- International Encyclopedia of Women's Suffrage. 2000 [Ref. JF851 .H28 2000]
- New York Public Library Amazing Women in American History: A Book of Answers for Kids 1998 [TMC Ref. HQ1410 .H43 1998]
- Nineteenth-century American Women Writers: A Bio-bibliographical Critical Sourcebook. 1997 [PS 217 W64 N56 1997]
- Published Diaries and Letters of American Women: An Annotated Bibliography. 1987 [Ref. CT 3260 G66 1987]
- Reader's Companion to U.S. Women's History. 1998 [Ref. HQ 1410 R43 1998]
- Reference Library of American Women 1999 [Ref. CT3260 .R44 1999]
- Susan B. Anthony Slept Here: A Guide to American Women's Landmarks. 1994 [Ref. E 159 K39 1994]
- Women in Espionage: A Biographical Dictionary. 1993 [Ref. JF 1525 I6 M25 1993]
- Women in the Classical World: Image and Text. 1994 [Ref. HQ 1127 W652 1994]
- Women Who Ruled. 1990 [D 107 J33 1990]
- Women's Chronology: A Year-by-year Record from Prehistory to the Present. 1994 [Ref. HQ 1122 T73 1994]
- Women's Firsts. 1997 [Ref. CT 3203 W66 1996]
- Women's History Sources. 1979 [Ref. HQ 1410 W653 1979]
International
- European Women's Almanac. 1992 [Ref. HQ 1587 S69 1992]
- Female Genital Mutilation: A Guide to Laws and Policies Worldwide. 2000 [Ref. K5304 .F46 2000]
- Rights of Women: a Guide to the Important United Nations Treaties for Women's Human Rights. 1998 [Ref. K644 .R54 1998]
- State of Women in the World Atlas. 1997 [Ref. G 1046 E1 S415 1997]
- Where Women Stand: An International Report on the Status of Women in 140 Countries, 1997-1998. 1997 [Ref. HQ 1154 N39 1997]
- Women in the Third World: A Reference Handbook. 1997 [HQ 1870.9 K58 1997]
Law
- Peaceful Divorce or Separation: How to Draw Up Your Own Settlement Agreement With Your Spouse. 1997 [Ref. KF 535 Z9 A567 1997]
- Questions & Answers for Small Employers on Employer Liability for Harassment by Supervisors. [2000?] [GovDoc Y 3.EQ 2:2 EM 7/9]
- Rights of Women: The Basic ACLU Guide to Women's Rights. 1993 [Ref. KF 4741 A43 1993]
- Sexual Harassment: A Reference Handbook. 1993 [Ref. KF 4758 E36 1993]
- Sexual Harassment on the Job. 1992 [Ref. KF 3467 Z9 P47 1992]
- Social and Legal Status of Women: A Global Perspective. 1990 [Ref. HQ 1421 H39 1990]
- What to do When You Don't Want to Call the Cops: A Non-adversarial Approach to Sexual Harassment. 1999 [HD6060.3 .T39 1999]
- Encyclopedia of Women and Crime. 2000 [Ref. HV6046 .E56 2000]
- Women's Legal Guide. 1996 [Ref. KF 478 W674 1996]
- Women's Rights and the Law. 1993 [KF 478 A4 O88 1993]
Science & Technology
- A to Z of Women in Science and Math. 1999 [Ref. Q141 .Y675 1999]
- American Women in Science: 1950 to the Present: A Biographical Dictionary. 1998 [Ref. Q141 .B254 1998]
- Black Women Scientists in the United States. 1999 [Ref. Q141 .W367 1999]
- Celebrating Women in Mathematics and Science. 1996 [Ref. QA27.5 .C45 1996]
- Mothers and Daughters of Invention: Notes for a Revised History of Technology. 1993 [Ref. T 36 S73 1993]
- Nobel Prize Women in Science: Their Lives, Struggles, and Momentous Discoveries. 1993 [Q 141 B42 1993]
- Notable Women in the Physical Sciences: A Biographical Dictionary. 1997 [Ref.Q 141 N734 1997]
- Women in Chemistry and Physics: A Biobibliographic Sourcebook. 1993 [Ref. QD 21 W62 1993]
- Women in the Field: America's Pioneering Women Naturalists. 1991 [Ref. QH 26 B66 1991]
- Women of Mathematics. 1987 [Ref. QA28 .W66 1987]
Sexuality and Gender
- Gay & Lesbian Biography. 1997 [Ref. HQ 75.2 G39 1997]
- Completely Queer: the Gay and Lesbian Encyclopedia. 1998 [Ref. HQ75 H63 1998]
- Encyclopedia of Women and Gender: Sex Similarities and Differences and the Impact of Society on Gender. 2001 [Ref. HQ1115 .E43 2001]
- Gender Roles. A Handbook of Tests and Measures. 1990 [Ref. HM 253 B43 1990]
- International Handbook on Gender Roles. 1993 [Ref. HQ 1075 I58 1993]
- Legal Guide for Lesbian and Gay Couples. 1989 [Ref. KF 538 C87 1989]
- Lesbianism: An Annotated Guide to the Literature, 1976-1986. 1988 [Ref. HQ 75.6 U5 M33 1988]
- Sex and Gender Issues. A Handbook of Tests and Measures. 1990 [Ref. BF 692 B38 1990]
Social Issues
- American Women Civil Rights Activists: Biobibliographies of 68 Leaders, 1825-1992. 1993 [Ref. JC 599 U5 H273 1993]
- American Woman, 1999-2000: A Century of Change--What's Next? 1998 [Ref. HQ 1421 A475 1998]
- Domestic Violence Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Know. 1995 [Ref. Q809 47 995]
- Encyclopedia of Women and Crime. 2000 [Ref. HV6046 .E56 2000]
- Psychology of Women: A Handbook of Issues and Theories. 1993 [Ref. HQ 1206 P747 1993]
- Rights of Women: A Guide to the Important United Nations Treaties for Women's Human Rights. 1998 [Ref. K 644 R54 1998]
- Sourcebook on Violence Against Women 2001 [Ref. HV6250.4.W65 S68 2001]
- United Nations and the Advancement of Women. 1996 [Ref. HQ 1236 U5 1996]
- Violence Against Women. 1994 [Ref. HV6250.4 .W65 B33 1994]
- Women and the Military: An Encyclopedia. 1996 [Ref. U 21.75 S54 1996]
- Women Working in Nontraditional Fields: References and Resources, 1963-1988. 1991 [Ref. HD 6095 W53 1991]
- Women's Issues. 3 vols. 1997 [Ref. HQ 1115 W6425 1997]
Sports
- A to Z of American Women in Sports. 2002 [GV697.A1 E28 2002]
- Black American Women in Olympic Track and Field: A Complete Illustrated Reference. 1992 [Ref. GV 697 A1 D38 1992]
- Celebrating Women Coaches: A Biographical Dictionary. 2000 [Ref Ref. GV697.A1 H367 2000]
- Encyclopedia of Women and Sport in America. 1998 [Ref. GV709 .E53 1998]
- Great Women Athletes of the 20th Century. 1991 [Ref. GV 697 A1 C68 1991]
- International Encyclopedia of Women and Sports. 3 vols. 2001 [Ref. GV709 .I58 2001]
- Outstanding Women Athletes: Who They Are and How They Influenced Sports in America. 1992 [Ref. GV 697 A1 W69 1992]
- Researching Women and Sport. 1997 [Ref. GV709 .R47 1997]
- Women in Sport: An Annotated Bibliography and Resource Guide, 1900-1990. 1991 [Ref. GV 709 R45 1991]
- Women of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League: A Biographical Dictionary 1997. [Ref. GV875 .A56 M34 1997]
Statistics
- American Men and Women: Demographics of the Sexes. 2000 [Ref. HB1755.A3 A44 2000]
- American Woman, 1999-2000: A Century of Change--What's Next? 2 vols. 1998 [Ref. HQ1421 .A475 1998]
- American Women: Who They Are & How They Live. 1997 [Ref. HQ 1421 A486 1997]
- Statistical Handbook on Women in America. 1996 [Ref. HQ 1420 T34 1996]
- What Women Earned in 1998. [GovDoc L 2.132:99-5]
- Women and Men in Europe and North America. 2000 [Ref. HB1831.A3 W66 2000]
Periodicals Currently Received
- American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Birth
- Family Planning Perspectives
- Feminist Studies: FS
- Gender & Society
- Hypatia: A Journal of Feminist Philosophy
- Ms.
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Sex Roles
- Signs
- Women and Health
- Women in Sport & Physical Activity Journal
- Women's Art Journal
- Women's Review of Books
- Women's Studies in Communications
- Working Women
Periodical Databases
Periodicals provide current information and a record of the past. Articles can be found by searching the online databases that cover periodicals in the fields you are investigating. Most databases will cover some aspect of women's studies. The nature of your topic will determine the appropriate resource. You may access these databases from the Memorial Library Homepage (http://library.cortland.edu), where they are organized by subject, title or by format (full text). If in doubt, consult a Reference Librarian. However, the following are of particular value:
- Contemporary Women's Issues. 1992-Present
- Provides full-text access to global information on women. Journals, newsletters, research reports from non-profit groups, government and international agencies, along with fact sheets are easily accessed through CWI. Information on women in over 150 countries is compiled in a single collection bringing together such disciplines as sociology, psychology, health, education and human rights.
- Expanded Academic ASAP. 1980 - Present
- Full text articles in arts, humanities, social sciences, science & technology
- Health Reference Center. 1988-Present
- Comprehensive index to consumer health literature and health-related articles from 130 periodicals; includes full-text and abstracts of major publications.
- MLA International Bibliography. 1981-Present
- Index to approximately 3000 journals, books, collections, and reference works covering literature, language, linguistics, and folklore.
- PsycINFO. 1887-Present
- Abstracts journal articles, book chapters, books, dissertations, & technical reports on all aspects of psychology. Comprehensive coverage. Produced by the American Psychological Association. Updated monthly.
- ScienceDirect.
- Provides access to over 700 full-text Elsevier journals in the sciences, social sciences, and psychology.
- Social Sciences Abstracts. 1983-Present (Indexing); Abstracting begins in 1994.
- Indexes international, English-language periodicals in sociology, anthropology, geography, economics, political science, psychology, health and law.
- Sociological Abstracts. 1963-Present (Indexing); Abstracting begins in 1974.
- Records covering sociology, social work, and applied social sciences (SOPODA). Updated bimonthly.
- WilsonSelectPlus.
- Full text articles in sciences, social sciences, humanities, education and business.
Internet Resources
For additional women's studies links see Academic Subjects - Women's Studies
- American Women's History: A Research Guide (http://frank.mtsu.edu/~kmiddlet/history/women.html)
- Comprehensive annotated subject guide provides citations to print and Internet reference sources, as well as to selected large primary source collections.
- Feminist Majority Online (http://www.feminist.org/)
- Includes news, events, Internet gateway, publications, research, university network, 911 for women, and a Take Action section.
- Women's Studies Database (http://www.inform.umd.edu/EdRes/Topic/WomensStudies/)
- University of Maryland site contains documents, syllabi, film reviews, bibliographies, reference sources, organizations, conferences, and much more related to Women's Studies.
- WSSLINKS: Women and Gender Studies Web Sites (http://libraries.mit.edu/humanities/WomensStudies/wscd.html)
- Developed and maintained by the Women's Studies Section Collection Development Commit-tee of the Association of College and Research Libraries.
Library Catalog
Materials related to women's studies can be found in the Library Catalog. Use the Library of Congress Subject Headings to find appropriate subject headings. The list of subject headings related to women's studies is exceedingly long, so only some of the major headings or types of headings are listed here:
- Abortion
- Abused Women
- African American Women
- Aged Women
- Body Image in Women
- Businesswomen
- Divorce
- Female Circumcision
- Feminism
- Feminism and Literature
- Feminist Theory
- Gender Identity
- Hispanic Women
- Homeless Women
- Lesbians
- Middle Aged Women
- Minority Women
- Motherhood
- Mothers
- Mothers and Daughters
- Muslim Women
- Pay Equity
- Poor Women
- Psychology of Women
- Rape
- Sex Differences
- Sex Differences in Education
- Sex Discrimination
- Sex Discrimination in Education
- Sex Discrimination in Employment
- Sex Role
- Sexism
- Sexism in Education
- Sexual Harassment
- Single Mothers
- Single-Parent Families
- Single Women
- Sports for Women
- Television and Women
- United States--Armed Forces--Women
- Wages--Women
- Widows
- Wife Abuse
- Women
- Working Class Women
- Working Mothers
- Women -- Biography
- Women -- Black
- Women -- China
- Women -- Crimes Against
- Women -- Developing countries
- Women -- Employment
- Women -- Health & Hygiene
- Women -- History
- Women -- Language
- Women -- Legal Status, Law, etc.
- Women -- Physical Education
- Women -- Psychology
- Women -- Social Conditions
- Women -- Socialization
- Women -- Suffrage, etc.
- Women Artists
- Women Athletes
- Women College Students
- Women Coaches (Athletics)
- Women Immigrants
- Women Legislators
- Women Scientists
- Women Social Reformers
- Women Soldiers
- Women, Jewish, etc.
- Women and Literature
- Women and Politics
- Women and Religion
- Women and Socialism
- Women in Advertising
- Women in Business
- Women in Education
- Women in Literature
- Women in Mass Media
- Women in Motion Pictures
- Women in Politics
- Women in Popular Culture
- Women's Rights
- Young Women
Interlibrary Loan
Books and articles in journals not owned by Memorial Library can be borrowed from other libraries through interlibrary loan. Forms for interlibrary loan are available at Reference or on the Library's Web Site. (http://library.cortland.edu/ill.html). Please remember you must indicate your source of information (that is, the index, accession number and database, bibliography, book, etc.) citing the book, article, or document you want.
Created by: Gretchen Herrmann
Memorial Library
Revised by Gretchen Herrmann and Margaret Anderson, January 2003

