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Sisters for Health Education (S.H.E.) (1979-1982)

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1979 - ca 1982

Historical Information

Sisters for Health Education (S.H.E.) was a Purdue University student organization which functioned to inform, support and provide referrals to women in the Purdue community regarding birth control, problem pregnancy, rape prevention and counseling, and general women’s health concerns. The group began in 1979 as an effort by three staff members to create a small women’s health center. This effort was resisted by the administration because of the fear of abortion counseling. The idea for a women’s health center was instead applied to creating a student group, led by the student Marcia Whisman and advisor Jackie Kassouff. Eventually, the organization opened a small counseling center on March 2, 1981, staffed by community volunteers and partnering with local groups such as Planned Parenthood, the YWCA, local churches, and women’s organizations. The Archives has no record of the demise of the program, however there are no collection materials created after 1982.

Citation

McConnell, Jonathan. "Finding Aid to the Sisters for Health Education (S.H.E.) records." 2014. MSP 150, Sisters for Health Education (S.H.E. records), Karnes Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries. West Lafayette.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Sisters for Health Education (S.H.E.) records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 150
Scope and Contents The Sisters for Health Education (S.H.E.) records (1979 – 1982; 1.4 cubic feet) documents the creation and operations of this Purdue student organization. The educational materials in this collection record the kinds of sexual and reproductive health information available to college students at the time. The collection also shows the difficulties encountered trying to establish an organization that talked openly about issues of abortion, birth control, and rape during this era. Types of...
Dates: 1978-1982; Other: Date acquired: 10/01/2013