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Call Numbers | Indexes and Abstracts | Encyclopedias and Dictionaries | Almanacs and Handbooks | Statistics and Atlases | Bibliographies | Biographical Sources
All titles listed in this selective guide are located in the Education and Social Science Library reference collection unless otherwise noted.
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305 Social Groups
305.31 Men
305.4 Women
305.5 Social Classes
305.8 Racial ethnic, national groups
305.906 Persons by cultural level, marital status, sexual orientation or special social status
306 Culture and Institutions
306.08 Indigenous racial, ethnic, and national groups
306.2 Political Institutions
306.4 Specific aspects of Culture, i.e. language, science, art, etc.
306.7 Sexual Relations
306.76 Sexual Orientation
306.8 Marriage and Family
306.85 Family
306.89 Separation and Divorce
GenderWatch (online). 1970-.
This database provides full text articles from scholarly journals, magazines, newspapers, newsletters, regional publications, books, and governmental and special reports. The publications indexed focus on how gender impacts a broad spectrum of subject areas. Contains archival material that dates back to 1970.
GLBT Life with Full Text (online).
Abstracts and indexes a large variety of journals, newspapers, and monographs as well as provides full text for 50 of the most important and historically significant GLBT sources. Many of the sources indexed contain information relevant to women’s studies.
Women’s Studies International (online). 1992-.
“Identifies [sources] on women's studies and feminism.” Indexes nearly 800 different sources from 1972 to the present. Journals, newspapers, newsletters, bulletins, books, book chapters, proceedings, reports, theses, dissertations, NGO studies, important websites and web documents, and grey literature are all included.
305.403 B322
Battleground: Women, Gender, and Sexuality. 2008.
This two volume set is designed to give the reader an accessible reference to the most controversial issues and debates pertaining to women’s lives, gender, and sexuality. Its 97 entries reflect the large and diverse field of women’s studies. Each entry gives a concise background and history of the issue as well as a list for further readings. Also includes a bibliography and an index.
305.90664 H678c (Main Ref)
Completely Queer: The Gay and Lesbian Encyclopedia. 1998.
The main focus of this resource “is the multifaceted international subculture self-identified lesbians and gay men have cultivated and refined in the second half of the 20th century." Approximately 500 alphabetically arranged essays are included. Special features include a list of famous pseudonyms; a list of gay and lesbian detectives; literary awards; and a 75-page chronology that ranges from 12,000 B.C.E. to November 1996.
306.703 D456
A Descriptive Dictionary and Atlas of Sexology. 1991.
Defines terms relating to sexuality and sexual behavior. Includes biological, medical, and sociological terms, but excludes slang and jargon. Appendices provide lists of phobias and an atlas of human sexuality which provides charts, diagrams, and illustrations of various parts of the anatomy related to sexualities.
305.4201 H883D 1995
The Dictionary of Feminist Theory. 2nd ed. 1995.
Presents a “broad, cross-cultural and international account of contemporary feminist thought…a nd describes the conceptual tools we need to understand economic, political and sexual discrimination and the modes of analysis which are useful for feminist politics.” A similar resource of note is Fifty Key Concepts in Gender Studies. 2004 (305.42 P641f), which defines 50 important concepts that gender studies is built upon.
Q.303.4840973 En19
Encyclopedia of American Social Movements. 2004.
Volumes one and two of this four-volume set dedicate an entire segment to the Women’s Movement. Movements covered range from the “Women’s Social Movement” from 1800-1869 to the “ Women’s Movement” from 1990 to the present. Each section includes introductory articles on critical themes, aspects, and events of the movement; biographical portraits of key leaders and figures; excerpts from primary sources and historical documents; and a bibliography.
305.4203 En195
Encyclopedia of Feminist Theories. 2000.
Focuses on the second-wave of feminism that began in the 1960s. Emphasis is placed on the English world, but also includes some aspects of French feminist theory.
Q.305.309 En192
Encyclopedia of Gender and Society. 2009.
This two volume set compiles work by scholars that focus on the various ways gender shapes individual lives, cultural beliefs and practices, and social and economic organization. Cross-national and cross-cultural perspectives on issues provide an opportunity for comparative analyses of the life experiences of men and women around the world. Includes reader’s guide and index.
306.7403 En192
Encyclopedia of Prostitution and Sex Work. 2006.
This encyclopedia includes 341 entries on social, cultural, geographic, and medical topics related to prostitution. Entry topics range over time from antiquity to the present and address all regions of the world, with emphasis on the West and the past 250 years. Most entries include cross-references and suggested further readings. Appendices provide primary sources on topics; poems and song lyrics; documents by sex workers; and legal documents and commentary.
Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender (online). 2007.
In this four-volume online edition, topics addressed include sex and gender at the personal and social level, issues of identity, status, class, ethnicity, race, and nation, sexuality and the body, and social institutions and the structures of representation.
Q. 305.403 En192
Encyclopedia of Women and Gender: Sex Similarities and Differences and the Impact of Society on Gender. 2001.
This two-volume set is arranged alphabetically and covers many topics exploring current research and scholarship conducted on the psychology of women and gender. Attention is given to differences between males and females, and also differences between diverse women.
305.4869703 En19
Encyclopedia of Women & Islamic Cultures. 2003-2007.
This five-volume resource is “Dedicated to substantive topics of relevance to women and Islamic cultures globally.” Volume 1 covers Methodologies; volume 2 deals with Family, Law, and Politics; volume 3 discusses Family, Body, Sexuality and Health; volume 4 deals with Economics, Education, Mobility, and Space; and volume 5 titled Practices, Interpretations, and Representations covers topics related to music, the arts, literature, and religious practices. Each article is signed and includes a short bibliography.
305.90664 G256
Gay and Lesbian Rights in the United States: A Documentary History. 2003.
Tells the history of the fight for Gay and Lesbian Rights in the United States through primary documents. Key primary documents include speeches, letters, congressional testimony, court decisions, government reports, biographical accounts, position papers, statutes, and news stories. Arranged in chronological order and grouped together under general historical themes, this source includes documents both for and against gay and lesbian rights.
305.235203 G443
Girl Culture: An Encyclopedia. 2008.
This two volume set contains more than 250 entries which address topics concerning girl culture ranging form the 1920s to the present. Most entries contain a list for further readings as well as cross references. The encyclopedia is divided into three parts: the first part is an introductory chapter which gives an overview of girl culture. The second part is titled “Studying Girl Culture: A Reader’s Guide” and contains a series of critical essays on different aspects of girl culture. The third and final part is the alphabetical entries on girl culture topics. Includes and index.
306.703 G856
The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Love, Courtship, & Sexuality Through History. 2008.
This 6 volume set explores the ideas, attitudes, and practices of institutions, legislation, religious belief, art, and literature, as well as important individuals and ideas, relating to various aspects of love, courtship, and sexuality. Each volume represents a different historical period. Individual volumes include a selected bibliography, some arranged by culture, an index, and information about contributors. Each entry also includes suggestions for further reading.
305.4203 Ic7 2001
The Routledge Companion to Feminism and Postfeminism. 2001.
This source is divided into two parts. Part I consists of four essay that give an “overview of the development of feminist thought in Great Britain and America, and examine the impact of the theories and ideas on various areas of culture.” Part II provides information about feminism’s most prominent thinkers, activists, performers and writers.
Q. 305.403 R765
Routledge International Encyclopedia of Women: Global Women’s Issues and Knowledge. 2000.
This four-volume encyclopedia focuses on ideas and actions in relation to women and does not contain biographical entries. It consists of 13 thematic categories: 1. Arts and Literature 2. Culture and Communication 3. Ecology and the Environment 4. Economy and Development 5. Education 6. Health, Reproduction and Sexuality 7. History and Philosophy of Feminism 8. Households and Families 9. Politics and the State 10. Religion and Spirituality 11. Science and Technology 12. Violence and peace 13. Women’s Studies. Articles are arranged in an alphabetical order across themes.
306.766 R765
Routledge International Encyclopedia of Queer Culture. 2006.
Edited by David Gerstner, this volume covers gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender life and culture post-1945 with a strong international approach. Includes list of entries by theme, or subject, as well as an alphabetical list of entries. Appendix A includes a listing of archives of GLBT material for further research, appendix B charts international sex laws, and appendix C compiles international political and community organizations. Of use for the general student as well as the specialized researcher.
306.77 Se911
Sex and Sexuality. 2006.
The articles in this three volume set investigate the roles of biological, sociocultural and psychological factors in human sexuality. Chapters provide detailed overviews of topics, including recent scholarship and trends, and conclude with bibliographies and avenues for further research.
305.4203 W842
The Women’s Movement Today: An Encyclopedia of Third-Wave Feminism. 2006.
This two-volume set provides information about the “third-wave” of the women’s movement which began in 1991. Volume one consists of 200 A-Z entries, which focus on U.S pop culture. Thirty-seven of the 200 entries are biographical and cover a diverse range of individuals. Volume two contains primary documents, mostly "nonfiction pieces from crucial books and magazines."
371.826603 Y888
Youth, Education, and Sexualities: An International Encyclopedia. 2005.
This two-volume set provides information on “current research, policy, and practice regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth throughout the world but primarily in the United States.” Includes 250 entries with references. Entries cover issues such as suicide; counseling; gay-straight alliances; popular culture; racism; prostitution; HIV education; pregnancy; fraternities; and gender roles.
200.820973 En19 (Main Reference and Undergrad Reference)
Encyclopedia of American Women and Religion. 1998.
Entries are alphabetically arranged by topic. Includes biographical entries on 19th and 20th century women of diverse religious faiths, races, and ethnicities; covers many religious denominations as well as witchcraft, ecofeminism and quasi-religions. Includes some topical entries.
Q. 200.82En19 (Main Reference and Undergrad Reference)
Encyclopedia of Women and World Religion. 1999.
This two-volume source is arranged alphabetically and contains entries on all the world’s religions. Biographical entries focus on individual women and their roles in a particular religion. Includes articles on the history of individual religions and their regional variations. Topical entries deal with subjects such as adultery which is described in relation to how it is viewed in each religion and how women are viewed in relation to this topic.
Q.305.4097303 En198 (Main Reference, Undergrad Reference, and History, Philosophy & Newspaper Reference)
Encyclopedia of Women in American History. 2002.
This three-volume set is divided as follows: v. 1. Colonization, revolution, and the new nation, 1585; v. 2. Civil War, western expansion, and industrialization, 1820-1900; v. 3. Suffrage, world war, and modern times, 1900-present. Shorter entries are biographical and topical. Longer articles analyze and interpret developments in women’s history from the sixteenth to the twenty-first century.
A similar resource is Encyclopedia of Women's History in America. 2nd ed., 2000 (History, Philosophy & Newspaper Reference and Undergrad Reference Q. 305.40973 C897e2000), which consists of 500 entries that describe events, legislative acts, court cases, organizations, individuals, and publications central to women’s history.
306.76603 G25
Gay Histories and Cultures: An Encyclopedia. 2000.
This volume presents information on important gay issues. Includes topical and biographical entries; biographical entries profile both historical and contemporary figures, but only famous individuals are included. Each entry is extensively cross-referenced and includes a bibliography.
305.90664 H911h (Main Reference and Undergrad Reference)
Historical Dictionary of the Gay Liberation Movement: Gay Men and the Quest for Social Justice. 1999.
Traces the evolution of the gay liberation movement through descriptions of its many key organizations, leaders, essential issues and strategies, and the situations pertaining to the movement in numerous countries.
305.90664 M992h
Historical Dictionary of the Lesbian Liberation Movement: Still the Rage. 2003.
International in scope, this source brings the Lesbian Liberation Movement into focus by describing issues, conflicts, people, theories, organizations and terms that have been essential to the movement. Focus is on the political lesbian rights movement, thus not all lesbian artists or literary figures are listed. Traces the history of the movement chronologically from 580 B.C. to 2003.
305.4096703 Sh434h (History, Philosophy & Newspaper Reference)
Historical Dictionary of Women in Sub-Saharan Africa. 2005.
Provides 1,000 alphabetically arranged entries on notable African women in history, politics, religion, and the arts from the 10th century to 2004. Includes entries on important organizations and publications.
Q. 305.40973 H629 (Main Reference)
A History of Women in the United States: State-by-State Reference. 2004.
This four-volume set is organized alphabetically by state. Short profiles for each state provide brief accounts of important women within that state. Includes a list of prominent places in each state that played a crucial role in women's history. Includes visual materials such as state maps, timelines, and photographs. An appendix provides a chronology (1530-2003), a number of primary documents, statistical tables, and a general bibliography.
Q. 306.7660973 L599 (History, Philosophy & Newspaper Reference and Undergrad Reference)
LGBT: Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History in America . 2004. 3 vols.
“Brings together and focuses on different kinds of knowledge about sexualities and genders” and “covers more than 400 years of historical development” in the United States. Organized alphabetically, entries are biographical and topical in nature, and include bibliographic references and cross-references. Provides a chronology of major developments from 1566-2003, and a directory of LGBT libraries and archives in the U.S. and Canada.
306.766303 L563
Lesbian Histories and Cultures: An Encyclopedia. 2000.
Arranged in the same manner as Gay Histories and Cultures: An Encyclopedia, this volume focuses on lesbian history and culture.
Q. 973.7082 H231w (History, Philosophy & Newspaper Reference)
Women During the Civil War: An Encyclopedia. 2004.
Provides information about the diverse roles women played in the U.S. Civil War. Includes a total of 128 entries, both thematic and biographical, some of which are on famous women but a number on unknown women. Sources for the entries include women’s diaries and correspondence, pamphlets, memoirs, newspaper accounts, essays, and fiction.
305.4090203 W842 (History, Philosophy & Newspaper Reference)
Women in the Middle Ages: An Encyclopedia. 2004.
This two-volume set contains over 300 entries on individual women “and on broad topics relating to the experience of women in Europe and elsewhere in the world between the 2nd and 15th centuries C.E.” The encyclopedia focuses on women in the literary professions, but also “ endeavored to include more neglected achievements, social classes, occupations, creeds, and even sexual preferences.” Another source is the Encyclopedia of Women in the Middle Ages (History, Philosophy & Newspaper Ref 305.40902 L423e), which provides a “a brief introduction to the world in which medieval women lived, an A to Z reference to medieval women, and the various aspects of their lives, a glossary that defines general terms.”
Q. 320.082 En19
Encyclopedia of Women in American Politics. 1999.
Consists of 700 alphabetically arranged entries. Includes every woman in the U.S. who has served in a political capacity, as well as significant events, court cases, concepts, and political issues. Contains three appendices: one with primary documents, another with tables, and the final with information on different organizations.
320.0820973 Sch277f
From Suffrage to the Senate: An Encyclopedia of American Women in Politics. 1999.
This two volume set chronicles the American women’s quest for political power and social equality. It covers the individuals, organizations, movements, and other legislative and legal milestones that have altered political history. The work includes biographies of women who have served in the Senate and House of Representatives, the judiciary, and the U.S. cabinet. Volume two contains a special documents section of texts and speeches, statistics, and a chronology of women’s political progress over the past 150 years. Also includes biographical references and a comprehensive index.
See also The Women’s Suffrage Movement: A Reference Guide, 1866-1928. 2001 (324.6230941 C856w) which profiles 400 individuals and 800 organizations involved with the women’s suffrage movement from the 1860s to 1920s in Britain.
305.90664097 Sm641g
Gay and Lesbian Americans and Political Participation: A Reference Handbook. 2002.
“Provides an overview and analyses of the LGBT political participation in four crucial spheres of protest, social movement, electoral politics, and public office.” Individual chapters cover gay and lesbian participation in electoral politics, protest politics, social movements, interest groups, and political office-holding. Entries cover important people, laws, and terms. Includes a directory of organizations and a chronology of major events that covers the dates 1920 to 2002.
324.62303 H195i (Main Reference and Undergrad Reference)
International Encyclopedia of Women’s Suffrage. 2000.
Demonstrates “the international dimensions of the demand for women’s rights to vote.” Focuses on the U.S and the U.K, but a number of other countries are also mentioned. Entries range from half of a page to a page in length, include images, and are cross-referenced with “see also.” Provides a useful chronology that lists the year women obtained full suffrage in individual countries.
Q. 613.04244 En192 (Applied Health Sciences Reference)
Encyclopedia of Women’s Health. 2004.
Provides A to Z coverage of important issues affecting women’s health from AIDS to violence. Entries are written from medical, psychological, sociocultural, spiritual, historical and legal perspectives. Of note is the special focus on some issues as they apply to minority women, rural women, the elderly, and other underserved populations.
370.8203 G285
Gender and Education: An Encyclopedia. 2007.
Divided into two volumes, this resource explores current issues in gender and education. Its entries consist of articles prepared specifically for this publication. Articles are divided into ten subject areas covering such topics as gendered theories in education, curricular issues, teaching, and educational policies. To facilitate research, each article also cross-references other relevant articles within the encyclopedia. There is also a comprehensive index in volume two.
305.43329 M363a
The Almanac of Women and Minorities in American Politics 2002. 2001.
Includes chapters on women in American politics as well as chapters on African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, Native minorities, and gays and lesbians in American politics.
305.3 C346h
Handbook of the Sociology of Gender (online). 1999.
This book is divided into four sections. The first section, called Basic Issues, examines gender theory, feminist episternology, and gender differences and similarities. The second section, called Macro-structures and Processes, consists of seven chapters with topics such as comparative gender stratification, gender and migration, poverty, gender movements, gender organizations and gender in cultures. Section three, called Micro-structures and Processes, addresses topics such as gender socialization, gender and social roles, gender and interaction and gender violence and harassment. The final section consists of thirteen chapters that look at the relationship between gender and social institutions. Includes an index.
305.420956 W8421
Women’s Rights in the Middle East and North Africa: Citizenship and Justice. 2005.
Provides the results of a survey of the status of the citizenship and legal rights of women in sixteen Middle Eastern and North African countries and one territory. Entries are arranged alphabetically by country. Each entry includes statistics about the region, a rating of the level of rights and freedoms for women in the region, historical background, and recommendations each region could take to improve the status of women. Contains a section of tables and graphs which illustrate the survey results.
Q. 305.4209171241 G285
A Decade of Commonwealth Action: A Reference Book for Gender Ministers. 2005.
A report published by the Commonwealth Secretariat on progress toward gender equality in its 53 member nations from 1995-2005. The report is organized by region (Africa, Asia, Caribbean and the Americas, Europe, and The Pacific) and includes an overview of priorities for action and major issues affecting each area. Profiles of countries include statistics on men and women, a summary of issues affecting women in the past decade, and priority concerns for gender equality. Includes numerous statistics and organizational charts of women’s organizations. Ten appendices include a map of Commonwealth nations, the text of Commonwealth plans of action, a chart tracking the status of human rights treaties, and contact information for governmental organizations responsible for women's affairs.
Q. 306.7660973 G223g (Undergrad Reference)
The Gay & Lesbian Atlas. 2004.
Based on data from the U.S. Census, this work “offers a detailed geographic and demographic portrait of gay and lesbian families in all 50 states.” Lists the 25 U.S. metropolitan areas with the largest lesbian and gay populations. Includes 250 full-color maps and charts.
Q. 305.40973 T122S 1996
Statistical Handbook On Women in America. 2nd ed. 1996.
Includes 260 tables and 80 charts with statistics up to 1994. Sources include federal government (some unpublished tables) and nongovernmental publications. Divided into four main sections: A. Demographic Events and Characteristics; B. Employment and Economic Status; C. Health Characteristics; D. Social Characteristics.
Q. 305.4021 ST29 1995 (Main Reference)
Statistical Record of Women Worldwide. 2nd ed. 1995.
Brings together actual statistical data on the lives and status of women throughout the world from a wide variety of sources—government and non-government, U.S. and international, published and unpublished—in a single accessible and affordable compilation.” The coverage is 60% U.S and 40% International. Dates range from 1970 to 1994.
UN.ST/ESA/S7 (Latest Volume In Government Documents Library)
The World’s Women: Trends and Statistics.
“Includes a set of statistical tables, presented at the end of each chapter, containing data for up to 220 countries or areas.”
016.30548896 T368a (History, Philosophy & Newspaper Reference and Main Reference)
African American Women: An Annotated Bibliography. 2001.
Contains theoretical and empirical work and works published by large and small regional presses. Materials included were published between 1975 and 1999.
016.8108 B652g
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Literature: A Genre Guide. 2008.
Provides an introduction to and history of twentieth-century literature written by a GLBT author or with GLBT protagonists or themes. Contains reading guides organized according to popular genres, formats, and reading interests and a bibliography.
016.3014242 St5w 2004
Women’s Studies: A Recommended Bibliography. 2004.
This fully annotated source is divided into 19 chapters. Each chapter lists reference sources, monographs, 1999 core titles, and world wide web/internet sites.
Q. 305.90664 R227
Reader's Guide to Lesbian and Gay Studies. 2000.
Serves as a reference guide to existing academic literature on topics and persons important to gay and lesbian studies. Entries offer a brief introduction to a topic and an overview of the secondary literature. Includes secondary literature about a person, and excludes literature written by the person. Some non-English titles are included.
Q. 016.305407 R227 (Main Reference and Undergrad Reference)
Reader’s Guide to Women’s Studies. 1998.
“Provides brief discussions of some of the best books on over 500 topics and individuals in women’s studies.”
016.3054 H878u
United States Government Documents On Women, 1800-1990: A Comprehensive Bibliography. 1993-.
“7,000 documents are described in two volumes, and the documents represent most of the published reports of agencies, commissions, and Congress on women or on topics directly affecting women’s health and welfare.”
303.484 L269a
A to Z of American Women Leaders and Activists. 2002.
Includes 145 biographical entries. Covers the period from 1800 to 1959. Includes women who did the following: educated women and children; obtained legal change through nonviolent direct action; influenced women’s voting rights; and contributed to women’s self-help efforts.
328.730082 F685b
Biographical Dictionary of Congressional Women. 1999.
This work provides short (one-page) descriptive biographies of each of the 200 women who have held office on Capitol Hill over the past 80 years. Each biographical entry includes statistics on their congressional service. Some of the biographies contain first-hand interviews and personal anecdotes. Included in the introduction of this work is an outline of women's history in Congress. This work contains a limited number of photographs, including one of the first women in Congress. Includes bibliography and notes at the end of the book.
305.4209224 B52
A Biographical Dictionary of Women’s Movements and Feminisms in Central, Eastern, and South Eastern Europe: 19th and 20th Centuries. 2006.
This book describes the lives, works and aspirations of more than 150 women and men who were active in women’s movements in 22 countries in Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries. Entries provide biographical information and a photograph of each person, and a list of sources for further reading.
Q.305.48896073 B561 2005 (History, Philosophy & Newspaper Reference and Undergrad Reference)
Black Women in America. 2nd ed. 2005.
This three-volume set chronicles the history of African-American women from 1619 to 2004. Includes approximately 150 topical and over 335 biographical entries.
Q. 305.42092273 F349
Feminists Who Changed America, 1963-1975. 2006.
Profiles many of the founders and leaders of the second wave of the feminist movement. The 2,220 biographical entries include the famous as well as grassroots organizers. All attempts were made to be inclusive of race, sexual orientation, class, and geographic location. Lists archival information on each individual when available.
920.7208997 N213 2001
Native American Women: A Biographical Dictionary. 2nd ed. 2001.
Provides over 250 biographical entries on Native American women born between 1499 and 1965. Focus is on Cherokee and Sioux women. “Features familiar historical figures and lesser-known contemporary women.”
920.7 N843 (History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Reference, Main Reference and Undergrad Reference)
Notable American Women, 1607-1950. 1971.
This three-volume set contains information on 1,359 women who died between 1607 and 1950. Entries consist of name, dates, career/profession, and a lengthy annotated bibliography with primary and secondary sources. Wives of presidents are excluded.
Two additional volumes extend the coverage of this source. Notable American Women: The Modern Period: A Biographical Dictionary (Education Reference/Main Reference/ History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Reference 920.7 N8431) includes biographies of 442 women who died between 1951 to 1975, and Notable American Women: A Biographical Dictionary Completing the Twentieth Century (Main Reference 920.720973 N843) “profiles 483 women who died between Jan. 1, 1976 and Dec. 31, 1999.
Q. 920.7208996 N843 (History, Philosophy & Newspaper Reference and Main Reference)
Notable Black American Women. 1992-2003.
“This work defines the lives of [black] women from colonial times to the present.” Lists 300 women born between 1686 and 1970. To be included a woman has to be a pioneer, an important entrepreneur, leading businesswoman, literary or creative figure, a leader of a social or human justice movement, a major government official, a creative figure in performing arts, a noted orator or public speaker, educator or leader.
Q. 920.7008968 N843 (Main Reference and Undergrad Reference)
Notable Hispanic American Women. 1983.
Includes 300 biographical entries. Women from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Spain, or Spanish-speaking Central or South America are included. Focus is on contemporary women, but a few historical figures are also mentioned. For additional biographies on Hispanic women see Notable Hispanic American Women: Book II. 1998 (Main Reference Q. 920.7008968 N8431998). This volume provides biographies not included in the earlier volume.
920.72098 N843 (Main Reference)
Notable Twentieth-Century Latin American Women: A Biographical Dictionary. 2001.
Provides information about 72 outstanding Spanish and Portuguese-speaking women “in the fields of politics, the visual arts, religion, government, education, literature, popular culture, and the sciences.” Women included were born after 1900.
Q. 920.7203 W842 (History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Reference)
Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia. 1999.
This 17 volume set includes more than 10,000 biographical entries profiling women throughout time and throughout the world. The encyclopedia features women from all walks of life including: rulers, royalty, lawyers, politician, heroines, pacifists, financiers, philanthropists, authors and more. Includes more than 2,500 signed articles written by academics with lists of sources and further readings. Also includes over 3,500 photos, 90 genealogical charts, and several indexes.
Two good one volume sources are the A to Z of Women in World History 2002 (History, Philosophy and Newspaper Reference 920.72 K955a) and The Palgrave Macmillan Dictionary of Women's Biography. 4th ed. 2005 (HPNL Reference 920.72 P175 2005).
305.420922 W842 (Main Reference)
Women Public Speakers In the United States, 1800-1925: A Bio-Critical Sourcebook. 1993.
Entries are about 10 pages long; each entry provides background information and discusses the professional life of each woman and her life as a speaker. Cites collections of writings or speeches of each woman, and provides a selected bibliography. Excludes minorities. This source is updated by Women Public Speakers In the United States, 1925-1993: A Bio-critical Sourcebook. 1994 (Main Reference 305.420922 W8421994), which addresses some omissions of “past scholarship and publication” and adds two new sections not included in the previous volumes: Rhetorical Significance and Rhetorical Strategies.