MotherTongue was published four times a year in the UK by a collective of “women of differing cultural groups who are minorities in this country”.

Their aim was to put words to feelings and memories that were an everpresent reminder and affirmation of their pasts and future. They chose the title “MotherTongue” to honour the cultural identities that have been carried across continents and through generations.

“As women who struggle both against male and cultural oppression we have shared vulnerabilities and a responsibility to create and strengthen existing bonds between us, both in this country and overseas.”

The Commonweal Collection includes just two copies of MotherTongue, published in 1985. Other materials in the Collection about the Women’s Liberation Movement (Fn) can be found on the catalogue here. You might also like to read our subject guide on Intersectionality.

A full list of over 1,700 magazines, newsletters, bulletins and journals that are in the Collection can be found here.