Living When Everything Changed: My Life in Academia

The first generation of feminist academics had a difficult journey, but they forged their own path and proved that feminist scholarship was a legitimate enterprise. Mary Kay Thompson Tetreault's memoir describes how she discovered her callings as a feminist, an academic, and a university administrator, and how much second-wave feminism has transformed academia.

Format: Hardback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 30 August 2019
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

The first generation of feminist academics embarked on a challenging journey as they entered the academy at the dawn of the women's rights movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s. With limited female role models, they had to forge their own path and establish the legitimacy of feminist scholarship. However, their aspirations to reform the university system from within encountered formidable obstacles. They faced entrenched hierarchies, bureaucratic processes, and old boys networks that hindered their ability to implement their feminist principles.

In her captivating memoir, Mary Kay Thompson Tetreault shares her remarkable story of discovering her callings as a feminist, an academic, and a university administrator. She delves into her experiences at three distinct schools: Lewis & Clark College, a small progressive institution; Cal State Fullerton, a massive regional university; and Portland State University, which was rapidly expanding. Through her reflections on both her accomplishments and challenges, she explores the profound impact of second-wave feminism on academia and highlights the ongoing need for reform.

Thompson Tetreault offers an intimate and personal account of a transformative era when women's lives and university culture underwent significant changes for the better. With remarkable candor and compassion, she provides a deep insight into the experiences of women during this period, shedding light on the struggles and triumphs they faced. The book also acknowledges the contributions of other feminist scholars and activists who paved the way for her own journey.

The Acknowledgments section, which was inadvertently omitted from the first printing, is included here for your reference. We apologize for the oversight and assure readers that future printings will include this important information.

Weight: 530g
ISBN-13: 9780813594903