Rockrgrl archive acquired by Schlesinger Library

Carla DeSantis, founder and editor of ROCKRGRL Magazine (1995-2005) and director of the ROCKRGRL Music Conference (2000, 2005), is pleased to announce the acquisition of ROCKRGRL's papers and archives by the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, at Radcliffe Institute / Harvard University. The collection includes original correspondence, cassette-taped artist interviews, posters, news clippings, awards, photos, conference footage, magazine proofs, video and other artifacts.

ROCKRGRL Magazine was started in 1995 by DeSantis as an independent black-and white, 16-paged photocopied `zine, and eventually blossomed into a full-color, glossy magazine. It was the only music publication strictly devoted to inspiring and creating community for the growing number of women in rock. Its eclectic mix of advertisers included record labels from Sony to Sub Pop, and instrument manufacturers from Fender Guitars to Smitten Kitten sex toys.

The ROCKRGRL Music Conferences, held in 2000 and 2005 respectively, were the largest gatherings of female musicians ever held, including such speakers and performers as Courtney Love, Patti Smith, Bonnie Raitt, Ann Wilson, Moe Tucker, Wanda Jackson, Exene Cervenka, The Gossip, Amy Ray, Ronnie Spector, Johnette Napolitano, June Millington, Cris Williamson, and hundreds more.

Although Schlesinger was ultimately selected as the home of the ROCKRGRL archives, The Sallie Bingham Library at Duke University, and the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith University were also contenders in acquiring the collection as well.

Schlesinger also houses work by artist Judy Chicago, the Boston Women's Health Collective ("Our Bodies, Ourselves"), poet Adrienne Rich, musician Holly Near and chef Julia Child, among hundred of others.

"I guess this is one way to get into Harvard," joked DeSantis. "But I am truly honored and humbled that the musical legacies of so many great and, in too many cases, underappreciated women, will be used for research and have the opportunity to live on for generations through ROCKRGRL and the Schlesinger Library."

"Founder Carla DeSantis's understanding of the lasting importance of ROCKRGRL, and its place in women's history led her to think long and hard about the best home for this collection," said Schlesinger's Curator of Manuscripts, Kathryn Allamong Jacob. "We are so pleased she chose us. We are honored to keep this legacy alive, and to make it accessible so that it can teach and inspire long into the future."

To learn more about ROCKRGRL, or to book Carla DeSantis as a Women's History Month speaker, e-mail carladesantis@aol.com or visit her web site, www.carladesantis.net.

Schlesinger's home on the Web is www.radcliffe.edu.schles