Conditions Governing Access
Accruals
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Alternate Forms Available
Biography
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Preferred Citation
System of Arrangement
Processing Information
Related Collections
Scope and Content Note
Publication Rights
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
The Bancroft Library
Title: Norma Alarcón papers
Source:
Alarcón, Norma
Creator:
Alarcón, Norma
Identifier/Call Number: BANC MSS 2017/189
Physical Description:
12.6 Linear Feet
(9 cartons, 1 oversize box, 2 oversize folders)
Date (inclusive): 1966-2013
Abstract: The Norma Alarcón papers document her contributions to Chicana feminist literature, scholarship, pedagogy, and publishing,
as well as her interdisciplinary work in Ethnic and Women’s Studies. The collection includes biographical information and
personalia; correspondence; materials related to the Third Woman Press; writings; course materials; administrative files;
materials related to Alarcón's professional activities; artwork and posters; and audiovisual materials.
Language of Material: Collection materials are in English and Spanish.
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information
on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Accruals
No future additions are expected.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Norma Alarcón papers were given to The Bancroft Library in 2017 by Norma Alarcón.
Alternate Forms Available
There are no alternative forms of this collection.
Biography
Celebrated Chicana feminist scholar and publisher Norma Alarcón was born in Villa Frontera, Coahuila Mexico on November 30,
1943. Her family immigrated to the United States in 1955, lived briefly in San Antonio, Texas, and then settled in Chicago.
Alarcón received her B.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Indiana, specializing in Spanish literature. The topic of her 1983
dissertation was “Ninfomanía: El Discurso Feminista en la Obra de Rosario Castellanos.” Alarcón was the founder and publisher
of the influential Third Woman Press, which began as the journal “Third Woman” in 1979. The Press published major texts and
important writers in Chicana and Latina Studies, including Sandra Cisneros, Ana Castillo, Cherríe Moraga, and Gloria Anzaldúa.
Its more than 30 books and anthologies between 1984 and 2004 include the third edition of “This Bridge Called My Back: Writings
by Radical Women of Color.” Alarcón taught at Purdue University from 1983 to 1987 and at the University of California, Berkeley
from 1987 until her retirement in 2004. Alarcón taught courses in the Chicano, Ethnic Studies, Spanish, and Women's Studies
departments at Berkeley.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Access to audio-visual materials may be restricted due to technical limitations.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Norma Alarcón papers, BANC MSS 2017/189,The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
System of Arrangement
Arranged to the folder level.
Processing Information
Processed by Lauren Lassleben and Marjorie Bryer in 2019.
Related Collections
Norma Alarcón papers, University of California, Santa Barbara (CEMA 110)
Scope and Content Note
The Norma Alarcón papers document her contributions to Chicana feminist literature, scholarship, pedagogy, and publishing,
as well as her interdisciplinary work in Ethnic and Women’s Studies. The collection includes biographical and personal materials;
professional correspondence; materials related to the Third Woman Press, including the republication of “This Bridge Called
My Back”; drafts of many of Alarcón’s publications and conference presentations; course readers and records from the departments
of Chicano, Ethnic, and Women’s Studies at UC Berkeley; conference materials that demonstrate Alarcón’s impact on those fields;
art and posters; and audio and videotapes, including interviews with Ethnic Studies faculty members.
The collection is divided into nine series: Biographical Information and Personalia; Correspondence; Third Woman Press; Writings;
Course Materials; Administrative Materials; Professional Activities; Posters, Broadsides, and Artwork; and Audiovisual Materials.
Publication Rights
Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction
of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions,
privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond
that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
For additional information about the University of California, Berkeley Library's permissions policy please see: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/about/permissions-policies
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Faculty papers.
American literature -- Mexican American women authors.
American literature -- Mexican American authors -- History and criticism.
Third Woman Press.
Mexican American women -- Intellectual life.
Mexican American women in literature.
Mexican American lesbians.
Women of color.
Feminist theory.
Queer theory.
Postcolonialism.
Radicalism
Alarcón, Norma