Interview with Beryl Hughes

Beryl Hughes was born in Cowbridge, South Wales in 1920. Describes parents, childhood in Scotland, and winning a secondary school scholarship. Describes studying at Glasgow University during World War II's blackouts and bombings. Talks about husband George Hughes, a professor. Describes experiences as a mother, moving to New Zealand, and involvement with Playcentre. Describes becoming a tutor at Victoria University, Wellington when she had four children, juggling paid work and family work, and working as a senior lecturer in the Victoria's History Department for 25 years. Comments on discrimination against women in New Zealand compared with in the United Kingdom. Discusses growth of awareness of feminist issues. Mentions the impact of Phillida Bunkle's arrival at Victoria University. Comments on male and class bias in history. Discusses development of the history of women, children and the working class. Describes the effect of feminism on her professional relationships in the History Department.

Discusses involvement with Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand (ALRANZ) and comments on her mother's views on women's rights. Discusses ALRANZ relationship with the more feminist Women's National Abortion Action Campaign (WONAAC). Explains involvement in the establishment of Victoria Univerity's Women's Studies Department under guidance of Phillida Bunkle. Mentions being the first chair of Board of Women Studies, and presenting guest lectures on medieval women and women in the church. Talks about the first Women's Studies Association Conference in Hamilton. Describes Women's Studies' Beryl Hughes Prize for best essay awarded annually. Reflects on the women's movement currently. Discusses books she has co-authored: "Red brick and blue stockings" on women at Victoria University with Sheila Ahern, and "Women in New Zealand Society" with Phillida Bunkle. Mentions current involvement with Karori Historical Society Journal, retirement, and her concern about employment opportunities for youth.

Publication - Twelve years of AWA: the Association of Women Academics of the Victoria University of Wellington, 1987 / Beryl Hughes

Interviewer(s) - Jill Abigail

Accompanying material - Biographical information form

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 1.35 Hours and minutes Duration.

Physical Description: Textual files - Microsoft word

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2652, OHDL-001001.

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-004314 - OHLC-0043015

Both printed and digital versions of the abstract are available