The first edition of Herstory: The Canadian Women’s Calendar appeared in 1974 and, except for the years 1983 and 1984, has been published every year since.
Herstory is researched and written by members of the Saskatoon Women’s Calendar Collective (SWCC). Formed in 1972 by five Saskatoon women--June Bantjes, Beth Foster, Gwen Gray, Colleen Pollreis and Erin Shoemaker--the SWCC sought to make history, as defined by traditional academics, more reflective of the lives and achievements of the women who helped shape Canada.
At the time the SWCC was formed, Canadian history offered little analysis of women’s contributions and experiences, and little official documentation of women’s influences. Although Collective members had no experience doing historical research and there was little published material on women’s history, the SWCC diligently pursued women’s stories through a variety of means. They turned to letters, diaries, drawings, the memories of pioneers, local history rooms, archives and books written by female authors to describe the lives of women to Herstory’s readers.
Prosperity is not simply wealth, it is richness; it is not merely having possessions, it is possessing a passion for life and for living.--Robyn Allan, 1995
The SWCC began as a community-based co-operative with an evolving membership, a philosophy and process that continues to this day. More than 50 women have been involved with Herstory since 1972. They have ranged in age from grandmothers in their 60s to young women in their 20s.
When Herstory first appeared, it struck a chord with Canadian women. Since then, it has built an increasingly loyal audience. It has become a bestseller sold across the country, and has become a staple of research library bookshelves. Some readers think of it primarily as a calendar. Others consider it an anthology: one good read per day. Herstory is read in schools, in universities, and in offices. It is carried around in purses, and left open on desks to read over lunch.
Members of the SWCC have used the knowledge they have gained not only to write about women’s lives and achievements for the pages of Herstory, but also to promote history through other venues such as talks to community groups and educators, radio and TV interviews, and exhibitions.