Veteran Feminists of America (VFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization for supporters and veterans of the second-wave feminist movement. Founded by Jacqueline Ceballos in 1992, Veteran Feminists of America regularly hosts reunions for second-wave feminists and events honoring feminist leaders.
History
Soon after their first reunion in 1992, Jacqueline Ceballos joined with Dorothy Senerchia and Mary Jean Tully to create the organization. Muriel Fox joined soon thereafter and has chaired the organization since 1994.
The original idea for a name, Veterans of Feminist Wars, was rejected because its acronym could be confused with that of the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization.[1]
In 1998, VFA Board member Barbara Love, with help from VFA members, began compiling a directory of feminists, published in 2006 as Feminists Who Changed America: 1963-1975 (University of Illinois Press). The book is a collection of 2,220 biographies of second-wave feminists who accomplished significant activist work.[2] It is also available as a searchable CD.[3]
VFA has a new partnership with the New York Historical Society Museum & Library. Its newly created Center for Women's History will be the venue to showcase the artifacts and stories that document modern feminism.
The purpose of Veteran Feminists of America is to honor, record and preserve the history of the accomplishments of women active in the feminist movement, to educate the public on the importance of the changes brought about by the women's movement, to preserve the movement's history and to inspire future generations.
The Veteran Feminists of America was created with the goals of remembering and recording the faces and retrospectives of the hundreds of pioneers who launched the 1960s feminist movement, often called second-wave feminism.
VFA's major effort is the Pioneer Histories Project, which compiles interviews with hundreds of feminist activists. Support for the project is provided by the Sy Syms Foundation.
Events
On February 4, 2021, VFA held a Zoom webinar honoring National Organization for Women (NOW) founder Betty Friedan on the 100th anniversary of her birth. "Betty Friedan's 100 Birthday: Moving the Legacy Forward".[4]
April 16, 2005 – "Feminism And Its Values: An Intergenerational Dialogue." Honoring Connecticut feminists, including Barbara Lifton. Cromwell, Connecticut.[citation needed]
November 13, 2006 – Two-day event celebrating the debut of "Feminists Who Changed America, 1963–1975" and honoring editor Barbara Love. Also present was Bettye Lane. Columbia University and Barnard College, New York City.[citation needed]
May 6, 2007 – Saluting Arizona feminists. Among honorees was Himilce Novas. Phoenix, Arizona.
October 13, 2007 – Celebrating Washington, DC-area feminists, including Helen Thomas. Sewall-Belmont House, Washington, D.C.[citation needed]
April 20, 2009 – Honoring Florida feminists. Speaker was Patricia Ireland, former president of NOW. Palm Aire Country Club, Pompano Beach.[citation needed]
March 2010 – "The Gender Agenda: Beyond Borders – Pursuing Women's Rights at Home and Abroad." Honored Texas activists including Sissy Farenthold and Virginia Whitehill. Women's Museum, Dallas.[citation needed]
September 27, 2014 – "Labor & the Women's Movement: The untold story and why it matters." Speakers included Alice Kessler-Harris, Karen Nussbaum and Sarita Gupta. Missouri feminists were honored. Renaissance Grand Hotel, St. Louis.[citation needed]
November 9, 2017 – Memorial Service for Kate Millett – About 500 people attended the celebration of life for Kate Millett. Speakers included Gloria Steinem, Yoko Ono, Holly Near and Kathleen Turner. Fourth Universalist Society Unitarian Universal Church, New York City.[citation needed]
