Berkshire Conference of Women Historians

Purple wrist bands with the Berks, Women with a Past

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. Our 2020 meeting will be in Baltimore, MD.

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.

About

purple & yellow wrist bands with the Berks, Women with a Past

Our Vision Fostering friendship, and the exchange of ideas, among a global network of feminist historians. Our Mission Promoting the interests of women historians, their allies and friends. Our Purpose The Berkshire Conference of Women … 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 … Read More »

Timeline

Edith Macy Conference Center, Briarcliff Manor, NY.

Too little is still known about the history of women's history and the role women have played more generally in the historical profession. The Berkshire Conference of Women Historians past, and the archives for the triennial conferences, are kept at … Read More »

Leadership

Nữ sinh Gia Long, Women Marching in the Women's Day Parade, Saigon. 1960. (Source: Flickr Commons

The leadership of the Berks is guided by its officers. Questions about the triennial conference, initiatives you would like the Berkshire Conference to undertake, or service on Berkshire Conference Committees should go to the President. Questions … Read More »

18th Berkshire Conference on the History of Women, Genders & Sexuality   Gendered Environments: Exploring Histories of Women, Genders, and Sexualities in Social, Political and "Natural" Worlds Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD May 21-23, 2020 Call for Papers The 2020 “Big Berks” focuses on the histories of women, genders, and sexualities, and this year devotes special attention to a … Read More >>

Join Us

purple & yellow wrist bands with the Berks, Women with a Past

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 »

Annual Meeting

Lake

The next Little Berks will be held in Cambridge, MA, June 7-9, 2019. Please check back for details. Fall meeting of the Berkshire Conference of Women's Historians June 1-3, 2018 The Berkshire Conference of Women Historians annual business meeting, better known as the Little Berks, was held from … 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: An article in the fields of the history of women, gender, and/or sexuality. An article in any field of history other than the history of women, gender, and/or sexuality. A first book that deals … Read More »

Contact Us

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 … Read More >>