Saving Her-Story. These women are setting up Malta’s first women’s archive.
Carmen Sammut and Nadia Abdilla
Professor Carmen Sammut still has a water jug that belonged to her grandmother. Her grandmother was an ordinary housewife, but she was also the go-to person for women giving birth. Whenever she went to assist in a birth, she would take that jug with her. Today, Carmen – a Pro-Rector at the University of Malta – is very aware of the historical value of objects and documents from the past. Together with Equity Coordinator Nadia Abdilla, she is in the process of setting up Malta’s very first women’s archive to preserve women’s history that is “being lost at a fast pace”.
Why did you feel the need to set up the women’s archive?
Traditionally women’s history was neglected but now we have an increased awareness about giving visibility to women in history. Scholars and researchers have noticed a gap in information, which is why there is a need for the women’s archive.
The London School of Economics, for example, has one and visiting it provided part of the inspiration to set up Malta’s own.
Setting up the archive is also part of the University of Malta’s gender plus equity plan. We believe that shedding more light on women’s work is a contribution to society and, here at the university, we are the best placed as we have the expertise. In fact, we set up a working group made of historical and archiving experts.
What would the benefits be?
This archive – and the information we gather in it – will serve as a point of reference that can be used to link with other archives such as the National Archives and even international ones.
The intention is not to take the place of the National Archives, but to collaborate. Anything we collect will shed light on the women of the past. It will teach us more about Malta of the past and this can help open doors and connect the dots from a research perspective.
Do you have anything so far?
Yes. We started collecting. We have some items in hand and are in the process of collecting others. For example, we have documents and photos that belonged to Malta’s first female president Agatha Barbara (see images above). We have used them to set up an exhibition.
We are also in contact with the heirs of women who were involved in, for example, the setting up of the Malta Women’s Movement and the Women of Malta Association that lobbied for the enfranchisement of women. These women include political activists Hélène Buhagiar and Josephine Burns De Bono.
We want to preserve their memory, but also their work and contribution to the country.
Do the women have to be well known?
Absolutely not. The women’s archive is about all women. They do not have to be well known. They could have been women involved in religious communities or in sports, education, or any sector. They could have been ordinary housewives leading a normal quiet life.
We are open to anything. They too might have important parts of Malta’s history to share.
What exactly are you collecting?
Our message is: please don’t throw anything away.
So we are open to anything: letters, diaries, photos, and other objects and items such as handmade doilies. They might have something to say. Letters, for example, are like mirrors of what was happening in those days – a picture of what was happening in society back then from the point of view of women in this case.
Unfortunately, everything is being lost at a very fast pace. What is happening is that, after elderly people pass away, their heirs clear the houses and throw away documents, photos and anything else. But they might be throwing away valuable parts of Malta’s story.
“So we are open to anything: letters, diaries, photos, and other objects and items such as handmade doilies. They might have something to say.”
So what can people do?
If people come across anything they suspect might have historical value: please do not throw it away. We are asking them to contact us. One of our experts will go and have a look.
In the case of documents, we will also organise their transport in a way that ensures they are not damaged once moved. Once we decide on the way forward, a formal agreement will be drawn up.
If people do not want to part with the original, we can take a digitised copy. In fact, we plan to digitise everything to allow for easier access and collaboration across archives.
These mundane items can open a door for researchers and lead to great things.
“We need to start collecting to make sure that these items are being preserved in our good hands. The priority is for more items not to get destroyed.”
Where will they be stored?
At the moment we have a storage space in the university library, but the wish is to build a modern archiving system of shelving in the library to have everything accessible in the same place with a controlled temperature and fire system.
This might take a while. But we can not wait for funds – we have to start. We need to start collecting to make sure that these items are being preserved in our good hands. The priority is for more items not to get destroyed. Our aim is to systematically preserve part of the country’s legacy and, for that, we need the public’s help.
If you suspect you might have something worth saving in Malta’s first women’s archive send an email to: womensarchive@um.edu.mt.
Share your views
Do you have something to share on the subject? Is there a topic you feel passionate about and would like to talk about. If so you can comment below or send an email on hello@womanunclouded.com so we can discuss how to get your voice heard.