Karen Brodine Papers, 1913-2015 (bulk 1970-1987)

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Summary

Creators:
Brodine, Karen.
Abstract:
Extent:
4.5 cubic feet (in 5 boxes)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Karen Brodine Papers. San Francisco Public Library, James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center

Background

Scope and content:

Journals, files, photographs, correspondence, writing, and copies of poetry publications. Some of the early journals and notebooks include notes on dances and choreography; other notebooks concern teaching. Correspondence files often address specific publications and submissions. Named correspondents include Merle Woo, Nellie Wong, Meridel Le Sueur, and Helen Gilbert. There is a little family correspondence which includes letters between Brodine's parents (1913+). There are several drafts of "Woman Sitting at the Machine, Thinking."

Biographical / historical:

Karen Brodine (1947-1987) was a feminist poet, activist, and teacher. She was born in Seattle, Washington, on June 14, 1947, the daughter of Val Daniel (a music teacher) and Mary (a music teacher; maiden name, Pierce) Brodine. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a B.A. in 1972, and from San Francisco State University, with an M.A. in 1974. Her published work includes: Slow Juggling (poems), Berkeley Poets Cooperative, 1975; Making the Park, Kelsey St. Press (Berkeley, CA), 1976, with Patricia Dienstfrey, Marina La Palma, Laura Moriarty, and Rena Rosenwasser; Illegal Assembly (poems), Hanging Loose Press, 1980; and, Woman Sitting at the Machine, Thinking (poems), introduction by Merle Woo, Freedom Socialist Publications, 1987. She was an instructor in creative writing at San Francisco State University from 1975-81; a typesetter and writer, 1981-87; an assistant editor of the American Journal of Human Genetics at University of California, San Francisco from 1987 on. She died of cancer on October 18, 1987.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Helen Gilbert, August 25, 2015.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is unprocessed but open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit. The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours.

Terms of access:

Copyright is transferred to SFPL. SFPL may allow use of Karen Brodine's work for educational and literary purposes that respect her wishes, spirit, and general political viewpoint. Please note that a few poems are marked "Do not publish." Handwritten journals should not be published but may be quoted.

Preferred citation:

Karen Brodine Papers. San Francisco Public Library, James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
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