Olivia on the Record

Olivia on the Record tells the story of the founding and development of Olivia Records, a woman-run organization devoted to creating a cultural, social, and economic space for women. Founded by members of the radical feminist Furies collective, Olivia Records was a collectively run organization that promoted and distributed women's music--featuring artists such as Meg Christianson, Linda Tillery, and Cris Williamson. The author is one of the founders of Olivia Records, and the story she tells is about an organization that represents some of the political zeitgeist of the 1970s. The story begins with an account of the work of the Furies, and moves into the founding of Olivia. The history related here speaks to issues of class, race, sexuality, and gender identity that continue to be profoundly contentious. Efforts to have a diverse collective along lines of class and race, and to produce diverse women's music were part of that.