Susan Jordan papers
Content Description
This collection contains the personal papers of Susan Jordan. The materials include nine physical scrapbooks of newspaper clippings compiled by Jordan with PDF digital surrogates, one folder of typeset poetry by Jordan, and one spiral-bound copy of The Enchanted Candle. Jordan, a feminist, LGBTQ+ activist, and social justice advocate, served for 28 years as Editor of the Empty Closet Newspaper (EC), the oldest continuously published gay newspaper in New York State. The collection documents Jordan's work with Rochester Women Against Violence Against Women.
Dates
- Creation: 1977 - 2018
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1977 - 1990
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright is held by the Rochester Public Library. Copyright of the papers may be held by the authors', or authors' heirs or assigns. Researchers must obtain written permission of the holder[s] of copyright and the Rochester Public Library before publishing quotations from materials in the collection. Most papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures unless otherwise specified.
Biographical / Historical
Susan Jordan (1962-) is a feminist, LGBTQ+ rights activist, and social justice advocate from Rochester, New York. She served as the editor of the Empty Closet Newspaper (EC) from 1989 until 2017. In the 1980s, Jordan was a member of Rochester Women Against Violence Against Women, an activist women’s group in support of women’s rights that organized the first Take Back the Night marches in Rochester, New York. In addition to her regular contributions to the Empty Closet, Jordan authored several self-published volumes of poetry.
Extent
2.0 Cubic Feet (1 box + 9 individually wrapped oversized items + 8.55 GB of digital materials.)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection consists of the personal papers of Susan Jordan, a feminist, LGBTQ+ rights activist, and social justice advocate based in Rochester, New York. The materials date between 1977 and 2018 with the bulk of materials dating between 1977 and 1990. The papers are comprised of scrapbooks of newspaper clippings, an unpublished poetry manuscript, and a bound volume of poetry. The scrapbooks have been digitized and are accessible as PDF files.
Arrangement
This collection consists of one box and nine oversized items divided into two series:
Series I: Poetry, 2018
Series II: Scrapbooks, 1977-1990
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated by Susan Jordan to the Local History and Genealogy Division on July 15, 2022.
Condition Description
Scrapbook bindings are in fair condition with the pasted newsprint inside each volume in fair to poor condition. Two disbound scrapbooks contain water and potential mold damage with documentation indicating that the materials have been freeze-dried by Electronic Restoration Services. All scrapbooks have been digitized for access. Poetry is in near mint condition.
Cultural context
Topical
- Title
- Susan Jordan Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Ron Martin-Dent
- Date
- 2024-12-10
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Sponsor
- This project was made possible in part by a grant from the Documentary Heritage Program of the New York State Archives, a program of the State Education Department.
Repository Details
Part of the Local History & Genealogy Division Repository
115 South Ave.
Rochester 14604 USA
585-428-8370
585-428-8353 (Fax)
lochistref@libraryweb.org