This Photograph Collection consists of 200 black and white and some color photographs that were created for the purpose of publication in Distaff, the first and only feminist newspaper published in New Orleans. Distaff was founded in 1972 and served as a forum for women's voices in politics, activism, and the arts. One of the few newspapers published by and for women in the Gulf South, Distaff covered a wide range of topics and issues, including reproductive rights, pay equity and women’s rights in the workplace, lesbian activism, the Equal Rights Amendment, literature and the arts, and women in politics. Issues were edited and produced by a coalition of New Orleans women known for their activism in political spheres. A preview issue was published in 1973 and the newspaper continued to be published until 1982. There was a hiatus in publication from 1976-1978.
Access to Newcomb Archives and Vorhoff Library Special Collections' complete collection of digitized issues of Distaff can be found in the Tulane University Digital Library (TUDL): https://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/islandora/object/tulane%3Adistaff. All images actually published in Distaff that appear in this online collection will include a link to the corresponding page located in TUDL.
Ethical Use of Distaff
The material featured in the Distaff resource is primarily intended for the purposes of non-commercial private study, teaching, learning and research. We ask that users treat the materials on this website with respect. We ask that anyone using content from Distaff apply the following principles: please credit the author, artist, or photographer; please respect the creators’ works, including their moral rights; Please ensure you consider traditional cultural expressions and all ethical concerns in using the material, and make sure that any information relating to the creator is clear and accurate. If you wish to use material published in Distaff but are unclear whether your use is appropriate, please either seek permission from the staff of the Newcomb Archives and Vorhoff Library Special Collections or obtain legal advice. The Newcomb Archives and Vorhoff Library Special Collections respects intellectual property rights, as well as ethical, moral and traditional knowledge concerns. This usage guide is based on goodwill. It is not a legal contract. We ask that you respect it.
Redaction Requests
Distaff has been digitized and made available via the Tulane University Digital Library with the express permission of Mary Gehman, editor of Distaff, through her donation of a complete run of the paper to the Newcomb Archives and Vorhoff Library Special collections. The Newcomb Archives and Vorhoff Library Special Collections respects the intellectual property rights, as well as ethical, moral and traditional knowledge concerns of the many individuals who contributed to Distaff. Should the creators of any content in Distaff prefer that it not be made digitally available to the public, please contact the staff of the Newcomb Archives to discuss options for redaction and controlled access.
