What is the Women’s History Network Blog?

The Women’s History Network blog promotes research in the field of women’s history. It exists as a forum for historians – at any career stage, and from any background – to showcase their own research, and to reflect on the nature of the discipline. The blog also exists as a space for heritage professionals and members of the public who are interested in the many and varied roles that women have played throughout history. 

Who runs the Women’s History Network’s Blog?

The blog is currently run by Dr Lisa Berry-Waite, Beth Price, and Amy Swainston, members of the Women’s History Network National Steering Committee. 

What sort of topics can I write about?

We are are open to all writing that celebrates women’s history. We are particularly interested in hearing from those from minoritized communities, or those who are researching the stories of historically disenfranchised groups (e.g. working-class women, women from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic Groups, queer histories, and histories disability).

Ideas for blogs include:

• Biographical reflections, either of the lives of ‘famous women’, or those ‘hidden from history.’ Examples of this include: Feminist solidarity in the archive: Marie Granet, the Resistance, and me by Emily Hooke.
• A preview of new research in the field. You might write about your new or forthcoming scholarship (e.g. monograph/edited collection/journal article). Examples of this include: ‘Hiding in Plain Sight: Black Women, the Law and the Making of a White Argentine Republic’ by Dr Erika Denise Edwards.
• Reflections from those who curate women’s history. Examples of this include: The Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 by Dr Mari Takayanagi.
• Posts that promote conferences, workshops, or other events that examine women’s history. Examples of this include: Women and Materiality in Medieval and Early Modern Scotland: Symposium Report by Dr Rachel Delman.
• Blogs that tie into existing celebrations (e.g Women’s History Month in March, Black History Month in October). Examples of this include: Celebrate the Archives in Women’s History Month by Dr. Janis Lomas
• A discussion of a particular primary sources or set of sources related to women’s history. Examples of this include: The letters of Dr. Edith Pechey by Dr Namrata R. Ganneri
• Reflections on what the discipline means to you. Examples of this include: What Women’s History Month Means to Me, by Dr Ana Stevenson.

Blog guidelines

• Blog posts should be written for a general audience who may have no prior knowledge of the topic. 
• The word count should be between 500 and 1000 words.
• Subheadings should be used to break up the text.
• There should be at least one image in the blog post. All images should be copyright free (e.g. from Wikimedia Commons) or permissions should be secured from the copyright owner. 
• Please include a brief biography of yourself (maximum 100 words).

How do I submit a blog post?

• Please email blog@womenshistorynetwork.org outlining your idea in a few sentences, and provide a brief biography of who you are.
• Once your idea is agreed with the blog team, they will ask you to fill out a blog post submission form which should then be emailed to blog@womenshistorynetwork.org.

We look forward to hearing from you! If you have any questions, then please get in touch via email.