In 1944, the rape of Recy Taylor, a young black woman, by a group of white men in Abbeville, Alabama received national attention. Taylor's story reveals much about race and gender relations as well as the power dynamics at work within the political and legal systems. Instead of an isolated case of rape, the case became the test of Alabama and America’s fundamental commitment to democracy and justice. It also reified a standard that required rape victims to demonstrate utmost morality and to exhibit the characteristics of ideal women

All papers are pre-circulated electronically to those who plan to attend the seminar in person. For a copy of the paper, e-mail Jenny Butler at scholl@newberry.org, or call (312) 255-3524. Please do not request a paper unless you plan to attend.

The Newberry Library Seminar on Women and Gender is co-sponsored by Northeastern Illinois University