An exploratory space at the moment... we're still working out how to define who we're describing as a 'bluestocking', modern or not.  See http://modernbluestocking.ning.com/ for background.  Please get in contact if you want to... more

An exploratory space at the moment... we're still working out how to define who we're describing as a 'bluestocking', modern or not.  See http://modernbluestocking.ning.com/ for background.  Please get in contact if you want to help or have some suggestions.

Wikipedia lists bluestocking as 'an obsolete and disparaging term for an educated, intellectual woman'.  We'd prefer to celebrate intellectual women, often feminist in intent or action, who have pushed the boundaries in their discipline or field in a way that has created space for other women to succeed within those fields.

The original impetus was a discussion at the National Portrait Gallery in London held during the exhibition 'Brilliant Women, 18th Century Bluestockings' (http://www.npg.org.uk/live/wobrilliantwomen1.asp) where it was embarrassingly obvious that people couldn't name young(ish) intellectual women they admired.  We need to find and celebrate the modern bluestockings.  Recording and celebrating the lives of women who've gone before us is another way of doing this.
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