Berks

Berkshire Conference of Women Historians

Purple wrist bands with the Berks, Women with a Past

Founded in 1930, the Berkshire Conference of Women Historians (Berks) promotes scholarship and supports the activities of women in the historical profession. Perhaps you already know us for our triennial meeting, The Berkshire Conference on the History of Women (“The Big Berks”). Launched in 1973, it is now the largest gathering of its kind in the world.

Members are invited to our annual retreats, where many scholars begin their relationship to the organization in an atmosphere designed to promote friendship, relaxation, and networking. Feel free to click around our site to read more about our history, our governance structure, our prizes and our committees. We hope that when you learn more about us you will want to join at the level that is comfortable for you.

2024 Statement on Campus Protests

Statement on the arrest of protesters on college campuses

Statement on the arrest of protesters on college campuses Over the past weeks, hundreds of students, faculty, and staff at universities across the continent have been threatened, arrested and abused by police when engaging in peaceful protests on university campuses. Among those attacked is long-time Berkshire Conference member, Dr. Annelise … Read the entire statement >>

Statement on Racism and the Berks

The Berkshire Conference of Women Historians apologizes sincerely for the harm experienced at the 2023 Berkshire Conference on the History of Women, Genders and Sexualities. The very public racism witnessed at the Fiftieth Anniversary Plenary session is not the only instance of this racial harm, but rather exemplifies continuing racism and … Read the entire statement >>

Statement to MoAR

The Berkshire Conference stands with the Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History in its condemnation of the Museum of the American Revolution’s (MoAR) decision to rent event space to the Moms For Liberty (MFL), a known hate group. The MFL have been listed among the Southern Poverty Law Center’s growing class of “extremist” groups in this country and have repeatedly … Read the entire statement >>

Statement on Anti-Asian Hate Crimes

March 2021 marks the one-year anniversary of when much of the U.S. entered various forms of social distancing lockdown as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been a year filled with loss and trauma, disproportionately experienced by those already marginalized in our societies. This public health crisis has been further compounded by the … Read the entire statement >>

In Memoriam: Sandra Trudgen Dawson

Sandra Trudgen Dawson, historian of modern Britain, popular culture, medicine and women's health, a mother, a wife, and the executive administrator of the Berkshire Conference of Women Historians passed away suddenly on May 18, 2024. A dear friend and lifeline to four cycles of the officers of the organization, Sandra is deeply missed as a colleague and friend to many Berks members. We invite you to share your memories and photos of Sandra as a member and key figure in the Berkshire Conference, as a teacher, a scholar and a friend. To share your … Read More >>

Prizes

Two Women Fencing,. ca. 1885

The Berkshire Conference of Women Historians awards two annual book and article prizes in the following categories: A first book that deals substantially with the history of women, gender, and/or sexuality. A first book in any field of history that does not focus on the history of women, gender, and/or sexuality. … Read More »

History

Group of women historians, early 20th century

The Berkshire Conference of Women Historians was founded in 1930 by Louise Fargo Brown of Vassar College and Louise Ropes Loomis of Wells College. Initially called the Lakeville History Group, after the Connecticut retreat where early meetings were held, the organization became the Berkshire Conference to reflect its new … Read More »

Contact Us

Berkshire Conference of Women Historians logo

The Berkshire Conference is a member-driven organization, which means that we are eager to hear from you. Have ideas about how the website would work better for you? Let us know! Our Executive Director will get back to you within two weeks, even just to let you know how we plan to follow up. In … Read More >>

Join Us

Suzanne Lacey, Between the Door and the Street, 2013. (Source: Wikimedia Commons) Forms part of: The Brooklyn Museum (Brooklyn Museum)

Become a Member The Berkshire Conference of Women Historians is a vital network of scholars that welcomes all women in the historical profession. We offer two kinds of events: our triennial … Read More »