Frontiers at 50 Oral Histories: Feminist Community, Activism, and Scholarship

Abstract: As part of the fiftieth anniversary of Frontiers: A Journal of Women Studies , the editorial collective at the University of Utah produced an oral history project including interviews with fourteen previous editorial members of the journal. This essay explores the oral histories to highlight the journal's enduring contributions to feminist scholarship, community activism, and grassroots knowledge production. Since 1974, Frontiers has been dedicated to sustaining a collective editorial structure, bridging academic and community experiences, and supporting diversity within feminist publishing. Through tracing a narrative across the oral histories, this essay shares the evolving challenges and successes of sustaining these foundational commitments amid the institutionalization of Women's and Gender Studies. Anchored in the theme "50 Years of Feminist Publishing," it analyzes the transformative impact of the journal's practices on feminist methodology and scholarship. We draw from this narrative key lessons on the value of collaborative editorial practices, the complexities of bridging community and academia, and the ongoing need for intersectional and inclusive feminist frameworks. By reflecting on the journal's history, this work underscores the critical role of feminist publishing in navigating and reshaping academic and social terrains in this shift toward authoritarianism in the United States and globally.