‘A Veritable Hotbed of Feminism’: Women’s Liberation in St Andrews, Scotland, c.1968–c.1979

摘要

Early research into the development of the Women’s Liberation Movement (WLM) in Britain tended to view seventies' feminism from the perspective of national conferences, the seven demands articulated by the WLM, and nationally organized campaigns. While these were all important developments in the history of the WLM, this article will argue for the importance of locating the struggles for liberation within the local context. Using the example of St Andrews in Fife, a small university town which was host from the late 1960s to an intellectually adventurous and vibrant women’s liberation group, this article will show that local groups were incredibly important in shaping seventies' feminism. Using oral testimony, this article explores the membership of the WLM in St Andrews, and also demonstrates the context and environment of the burgh, the formation of the group, and the Scottish and British dimensions. It argues that by shifting the focus from national feminist politics to local liberation groups the history of the WLM in Britain can be better understood.