Prairie Woman - A Newsletter of Sakatoon Women's Liberation
Periodical profile published 1980

Publisher:  Prairie Woman Collective, Saskatoon, Canada
Year Published:  1980
Pages:  16pp   Resource Type:  Serial Publication (Periodical)
Cx Number:  CX2182

Abstract: 
The first article in this issue deals with lesbianism and is a follow-up reflection to the May, 1980 Prairie Socialist Feminist Conference in Regina, Saskatchewan. The author defines lesbianism as a fundamental struggle within the women's movement. Many feminists have still not accepted "sexual orientation and the oppression of lesbians as legitimate causes for the movement".

"Sexual self-definition is power without which women cannot freely negotiate their relationships". The author argues that lesbians, unlike 'straight' women, define themselves independently of men and thus are able to move towards a female-centred consciousness without fear of losing male support. Because lesbians have chosen to struggle against social pressures and homophobia, they have much to contribute (from their experience) to the women's movement. The lesbian choice of self-determination, self-ownership and sexual self-definition makes them "a vanguard for the movement". Only when the power of women loving women is liberated among women, for women, will the movement be able to take power and negotiate true equality".


Another article, "Spartakos Works Organise" describes the struggle of women to organise a union in a Saskatoon restaurant. Some of the concerns are wages, working conditions, violations of the Labour Standards Act and unfair promotion practices by the owners. The newsletter also contains news item, a calendar of events, a book review of Johannah Brand's "The Life And Death Of Anna Mae Aquash" and an article entitled "Rape: Blaming The Victim". The latter article argues that the very ways women are told to avoid rape can place the responsibility or blame on them, the victims.