How Charis Bookstore Shaped its Identity as an Active Hub for Feminists
By Olivia Hayward (2024)
Introduction
Since its establishment in 1974, Charis Books and More store in Decatur, Georgia became a beacon of feminist activism and literary exploration. As one of the American South’s oldest lesbian-feminist bookstores,1 Charis not only provided a space for the dissemination of feminist literature but also served as a forum for advocacy and community building. This paper delves into Charis Bookstore’s organizational ethos and impact as reflected in its by-laws, meeting notes, and communication materials ranging from the 1980s – 1990s. Through this analysis, I argue how Charis Bookstore’s commitment to challenging patriarchal norms and fostering inclusivity shaped its identity as an active hub for feminists.
The paper will begin by underscoring the foundational aspects of Charis, focusing on its by-laws and initial meeting notes.2 These artifacts outline the bookstore’s purpose3, prompting the examination of how such statements embody Charis’s stance against patriarchal structures4 at the time and examine the cultivated company dynamics that helped advance its purpose.5
After investigating Charis’s ethos and structure, the final section will highlight programs developed and held by Charis Bookstore including formal correspondence with authors like Alice Walker6 and the explicit description of events.7 This part will analyze how these interactions contributed to Charis’s identity as an active participant in fostering dialogue and activism within the community.8 This analysis will also include heartfelt letters from patrons who shared personal connections with the store9 and advertising materials.10 This section will not only showcase the bookstore’s community engagement but also demonstrate how these relationships contributed to its financial operations11 and had an enduring impact throughout the first three decades of Charis’s history.
Ethos
The foundational documents, particularly the by-laws and initial meeting notes, vividly illustrate the purpose and ethos that underpin the establishment of Charis Bookstore. In 1982, Charis’s board of directors declared, “The purpose of this organization is to maintain, preserve, and encourage independent feminist voices in the realms of reading, writing, publishing, printing, and bookselling.”12 This purpose statement goes beyond mere business objectives; it embodies a deeper ideological stance as evidence by the following sentiment,
“It was agreed that our political view as radical feminists could be summarized as ‘we’re in a war and they’re the enemy.’ This remark was discussed at some length, as we described the evident oppression and intentional erasure of women (their lives as well as their culture) in society, and the growing misogyny in this country.”13
Evidently, Charis saw itself not just as a commercial entity but as a frontline in the ongoing battle against patriarchal structures and the erasure of women. This perspective, and the recognition that “money is a resource of power” influenced the affairs of the business, from the selection of books to the prioritization of independent feminist presses over mainstream publishers.14
During the 1980s, feminist movements gained momentum across literature, politics, and social activism.15 The emergence of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) altered the sex lives of gay men but also dealt a severe blow to the fluidity of sexual identity that was evolving since the 1960s.16 These changes intertwined with broader political struggles, as The New Right’s efforts to control female sexuality through attacks on abortion rights led to backlash affecting various aspects of women’s lives and feminist endeavors.17 Amidst these challenges, The Women in Print conference in October 1981 was a pivotal event where feminist writers, publishers, and activists gathered to discuss and strategize ways to amplify women’s voices in the literary world.18 Charis’s participation in such conferences underscored its role as a catalyst for social change.
Likewise, the Women in Print Movement, occurring in the early 1970s, radically critiqued gender and power within the publishing industry.19 Just as the movement aimed to establish an alternative communications network operated and populated by women across various book trade roles,20 Charis’s purpose from the beginning aimed to amplify women’s voices and experiences from writers and readers to editors, printers, and publishers.21 The Women in Print Movement’s goal of creating a space free from patriarchal and capitalist influences22 mirrors Charis’s embodiment as a business with a “traditional structure and an alternative view or aim.”23 The decision to adopt a traditional for-profit model was seen as providing a “clear set of rules” for navigating interactions with the patriarchy in a capitalist system.24 This decision was motivated by the challenges of operating as a “non-profit but not tax-exempt” entity, which left Charis in a legal and financial “grey area.”25 This strategic positioning within the capitalist framework helped Charis leverage its business structure to navigate patriarchal challenges while staying true to its alternative aims of promoting feminist literature. In this way, the Women in Print Movement’s vision of the book trades as a battleground for restructuring power dynamics26 found a tangible parallel in Charis’s early acknowledgement of their place in a capitalist society. While activists in the 1980s and 90s aimed to create a utopian print counterculture free from patriarchal and capitalist influences, they confronted the deep-rooted structuring power of capitalism within the publishing landscape.27 Charis’s by-laws reveal an understanding of this tension between alternative print cultures and mainstream capitalism.28
Beyond the Women in Print Movement, Charis provides insight into the evolution of the second-wave feminist movement.29 During the 1970s, members of the lesbian-feminist community gathered at Charis because, ‘women ran it.’30 This declaration reflects the women-identified philosophy espoused in the “Woman Identified Woman” manifesto written by the Radicalesbians, first distributed as a ‘position paper’ at the second Congress to Unite Women in May 1970.31 The importance of written texts to the lesbian-feminist movement, coupled with this women-identified philosophy, led Atlanta’s lesbian feminists to frequent Charis, not just to shop but also to engage in conversations with the store’s owners and eventually volunteer.32 This active involvement in Charis exemplified the interconnectedness of feminist literature, feminist ideology, and community-building within the context of the feminist movement in the 1970s.
Structure
Furthermore, as seen in the by-laws report, Charis’s workplace principles were focused on facilitating cohesion and synergy within the organization. Emphasizing “self-love both in ourselves and each other, and also in our support staff, our customers, and coalition-workers,”33 nurtured an environment of respect. Similarly, the establishment of a system for mutual evaluation of work among staff members encouraged accountability, continuous improvement, and set the foundation for a democratic work culture.34 By challenging hierarchical power structures often seen in a patriarchal society, Charis actively challenged notions that prioritized dominance and control.
This approach was especially significant in the context of Atlanta’s Little Five Points neighborhood, a community of demographically young, middle-class, white lesbians, where Charis was located.35 The community members were known to concentrate their “time and commitment on political causes rather than on jobs, were downwardly mobile, lived communally, and formed businesses and organizations with collective or cooperative, rather than hierarchical structures.”36 This shared set of values and anti-hierarchical way of life resonated with Charis’s workplace structure and especially with Charis’s founders, Linda Bryant and Barbara Borgman, who started a communal household near Little Five Points a few months before opening the store.37
Despite Charis’s initial success with a non-hierarchical and advisory board based structure,38 the board members faced internal conflicts. In 1981, tensions among the founding board members—Linda, Barbara, Judy, Maya, and Julia—culminated in a power struggle over the store’s identity and the responsibilities of those physically working in the store versus those on the board.39 This conflict prompted Linda Bryant to write a letter to her fellow board members, outlining the evolution of Charis from its early days to the 1980s. In her letter, Linda expressed concerns about the store’s direction and the need for clarity regarding roles and responsibilities. She wrote,
“How I see the bookstore today at this moment, the bookstore is coming of age. It has grown from a peaceful, low-key retreat of information sharing and bookselling to a crucial source of information in an increasingly repressive era. […] The staff and support staff are made up now of people who have the values I’ve focused on in this letter. Those are the people I want to be with at the store. […] If I am staying at the bookstore, then I need to be released from this process with the current board so that the continuing board and the store, which will be working together, will get the energy it deserves.”40
Linda’s letter highlighted the challenges and transformations Charis experienced, ultimately leading to Maya and Julia’s resignation from the board.41 Despite these internal tensions, Charis continued to thrive and adapt, eventually transitioning to a for-profit entity to ensure its sustainability and continued impact within the community.42
Practice
Charis Bookstore’s correspondence with Alice Walker, coupled with their active engagement in community events, exemplified their dedication to empowerment and inclusivity. In a letter addressed to Alice Walker, the first African American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction43, Charis expressed gratitude for her frequent visits spanning over two decades and requested her participation in another book-signing event to support fundraising for ZAMI: Atlanta’s Premier African-American Lesbian Organization.44 This letter not only highlighted their commitment to fostering connections with influential figures but also displayed their ongoing efforts to bolster marginalized voices within their community. Additionally, the letter discussed a list of Charis’s weekly programs covering a wide array of topics such as women’s health, racism, lesbian issues, aging, AIDS, and violence against women.45
“Charis Community Notes”46 served as a crucial communication tool for Charis Bookstore during the 1990s, offering a window into the vibrant activities and ethos of the bookstore. This newsletter went beyond mere event listings, providing insights into the store’s values. It showcased a diverse range of content, from holiday wishes and bestsellers to significant programming events and fundraising efforts. Notably, the newsletter highlighted a program featuring Bell Hooks discussing her book “Killing Rage Ending Racism,” highlighting Charis’s dedication to anti-racism work.47 This particular section exhibited Charis’s responsiveness to its patrons’ interests and concerns as it acknowledged the intense race-based discussion that occurred during the Bell Hooks event.48 This discussion was evidently so impactful that it necessitated a second meeting, which the newsletter advertised to its readers.49 By acknowledging the need for a follow-up discussion and actively promoting it through the newsletter, Charis demonstrated its willingness to adapt its programming to meet their patrons’ needs, reinforcing Charis’s reputation as a dynamic and engaged community space.
In a heartfelt letter to Linda (founder) and Sherry (former owner) at Charis Bookstore, Cliedia reflects on attending a speaking event where Leslie Feinberg read from the first chapter of Transgendered Warriors, sharing her thoughts on her daughter Kyla’s upbringing,
“First I felt really glad that Kyla is growing up in the 90s and not the 50s – where it’s mainly acceptable, even praised by most of our friends, to be a ‘tomboy’. […] My role is to allow her all the space and freedom she wants to be who she is and will become. It really made me cry with relief and gratitude to have that responsibility and honor clarified. I thank you both (and Leslie) on Kyla’s behalf!”50
This event not only impacted Cliedia personally but also highlighted Charis’s significance as a safe haven and educational resource for individuals navigating societal pressures and stereotypes. Cliedia put it beautifully when she declared, “Just to know that this space, this resource exists is a treasure. To know that it will be there for Kyla in whatever path she chooses, as an antidote to all the poisonous messages that surrounds us all in this society, is a blessing.”51 Cliedia’s letter reflects the deep connection and appreciation that patrons like her had for Charis Bookstore. It further indicates that Charis served as more than just a retail space but as a vital community resource.
Saralyn Chestnut, a dedicated patron of Charis and an early member of the Atlanta Lesbian Feminist Alliance (ALFA) in 1972, encapsulated the essence of Charis’s role within the feminist movement when she reflected on the store’s impact. Derived from a Charis fundraising letter received in 1997, Chestnut noted, “As the ‘and more’ (in Charis Books and More) suggests, feminist bookstores typically do much more than sell books; they function as organizational structure within the feminist movement.”52 This sentiment was echoed by renowned authors like Minnie Bruce Pratt in the fundraising letter, who remarked, “Charis was the first women’s bookstore I ever set foot in, twenty years ago, and she changed my life, as she’s changed the lives of countless others. The bookstore has been a home-away-from-home library, resource center, and cultural hot spot.”53 Shay Youngblood’s sentiments were also shared, “Charis isn’t just a bookstore. It’s been a kind of home/community for me for over 15 years… I found my first apartment, my first real job, a massage therapist, a dentist, a doctor, and lots of new friends at Charis. Charis has been great for my social and intellectual life.”54 These testimonials highlight Charis’s pivotal role not just as a bookstore but as a community-building institution and a catalyst for social change within the feminist movement and beyond. The acknowledgement that Charis is a “home-away-from-home” encapsulated the concept of finding a haven, a place where one can explore literature that reflects their experiences without judgment or scrutiny. Additionally, Pratt and Youngblood both mentioned Charis being a “resource center,” revealing how Charis not only offered literary solace but also fostered belonging by cultivating friendships, providing job and home search help, and sharing contacts for doctors and other professionals. In this way, Charis was able to help their patrons grow meaningful connections and support networks.
Lisa, another passionate patron, wrote a heartfelt letter that further encapsulated the profound impact that Charis Bookstore had beyond providing books. In her note, Lisa expressed gratitude for a particular program on “mentoring,” highlighting how the evening was not only “inspiring” but also deeply personal.55 Lisa ended the note with an aspiration to return one day with, “the awareness of what I have to give and the ability to do so even half as beautifully as you all do.”56 Her desire to give back exemplified how Charis’s events went beyond mere information sharing to instill a sense of empowerment and activism in its patrons.
Conclusion
The manuscript materials, letters, advertisements, and anecdotes speak to Charis Bookstore’s vital role in shaping personal journeys, fostering a feminist community, and providing a space for connection. Charis Bookstore’s continued recognition as a “destination store” in the early 2000s reflects its decade-long development into a cultural and intellectual hub attracting individuals seeking a diverse range of literature and ideas.57 The store’s continued specialization in lesbian fiction, queer theory, anti-racist, and anti-sexist children’s books has maintained its reputation as a unique and essential resource for marginalized communities.58 Moreover, Charis’s weekly programs on various topics, from the prison industrial complex to lesbian cinema, not only bolster community engagement but the store’s longevity.59
Endnotes
1. Saralyn Chestnut and Amanda C. Gable, “Women Ran It,” in Carryin’ on in the Lesbian and Gay South, ed. John Howard (New York: New York University Press, 1997), 241.
2. Charis Inc. Notes for Charis Board of Directors Meeting, 1981, Charis Books.
3. Charis Inc. Notes for Charis Board of Directors Meeting, 1981, Charis Books.
4. Saralyn Chesnut, Amanda C. Gable, and Elizabeth Anderson, “Atlanta’s Charis Books and More: Histories of a Feminist Space,” Southern Spaces (November 2009).
5. Ira Brous, “Democratic Management in the Workspace” in Democracy in the Workplace: Readings on the Implementation of Self-management in America, 1977, Charis Books.
6. Charis Inc. to Alice Walker, March 5, 1997, Charis Books.
7. Charis Inc. to Alice Walker, July 23, 1998, Charis Books.
8. Ruby Rich, Review of Feminism and Sexuality in the 1980s, by Samois, Robin Ruth Linden, Darlene R. Pagano, Susan Leigh Star, Diana E. H. Russell, Ann Snitow, Christine Stansell, et al., Feminist Studies (1986).
9. Cliedia to Linda and Sherry, November 15, 1997, Charis Books.
10. Charis Inc. Charis Community Notes: Celebrating Our Lives, 1995, Charis Books.
11. Junie, My Personal Plea for Your Help, n.d, Charis Books.
12. Charis Inc. Draft of By-laws, 1982, Charis Books.
13. Charis Inc. By-laws Committee Report, 1982, Charis Books.
14. Charis Inc. By-laws Committee Report, 1982, Charis Books.
15. Ruby Rich, Review of Feminism and Sexuality in the 1980s, by Samois, Robin Ruth Linden, Darlene R. Pagano, Susan Leigh Star, Diana E. H. Russell, Ann Snitow, Christine Stansell, et al., Feminist Studies (1986), Pg. 554.
16. Ruby Rich, Review of Feminism and Sexuality in the 1980s, by Samois, Robin Ruth Linden, Darlene R. Pagano, Susan Leigh Star, Diana E. H. Russell, Ann Snitow, Christine Stansell, et al., Feminist Studies (1986), Pg. 554.
17. Ruby Rich, Review of Feminism and Sexuality in the 1980s, by Samois, Robin Ruth Linden, Darlene R. Pagano, Susan Leigh Star, Diana E. H. Russell, Ann Snitow, Christine Stansell, et al., Feminist Studies (1986), Pg. 554.
18. Charis Inc. By-laws Committee Report, 1982, Charis Books.
19. Trysh Travis, The Women in Print Movement: History and Implications (The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008), 277.
20. Trysh Travis, The Women in Print Movement: History and Implications (The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008), 293.
21. Charis Inc. Draft of By-laws, 1982, Charis Books.
22. Trysh Travis, The Women in Print Movement: History and Implications (The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008), 282.
23. Charis Inc. By-laws Committee Report, 1982, Charis Books.
24. Charis Inc. By-laws Committee Report, 1982, Charis Books.
25. Charis Inc. By-laws Committee Report, 1982, Charis Books.
26. Trysh Travis, The Women in Print Movement: History and Implications (The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008), 293.
27. Trysh Travis, The Women in Print Movement: History and Implications (The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008), 295.
28. Charis Inc. By-laws Committee Report, 1982, Charis Books.
29. Saralyn Chestnut and Amanda C. Gable, “Women Ran It,” in Carryin’ on in the Lesbian and Gay South, ed. John Howard (New York: New York University Press, 1997), 241.
30. Saralyn Chestnut and Amanda C. Gable, “Women Ran It,” in Carryin’ on in the Lesbian and Gay South, ed. John Howard (New York: New York University Press, 1997), 242.
31. Radicalesbians, “The Woman-Identified Woman,” 1970, Women’s Liberation Movement Print Culture, Duke Digital Repository.
32. Saralyn Chestnut and Amanda C. Gable, “Women Ran It,” in Carryin’ on in the Lesbian and Gay South, ed. John Howard (New York: New York University Press, 1997), 242.
33. Charis Inc. By-laws Committee Report, 1982, Charis Books.
34. Ira Brous, “Democratic Management in the Workspace” in Democracy in the Workplace: Readings on the Implementation of Self-management in America, 1977, Charis Books.
35. Saralyn Chestnut and Amanda C. Gable, “Women Ran It,” in Carryin’ on in the Lesbian and Gay South, ed. John Howard (New York: New York University Press, 1997), 252.
36. Saralyn Chestnut and Amanda C. Gable, “Women Ran It,” in Carryin’ on in the Lesbian and Gay South, ed. John Howard (New York: New York University Press, 1997), 252.
37. Saralyn Chestnut and Amanda C. Gable, “Women Ran It,” in Carryin’ on in the Lesbian and Gay South, ed. John Howard (New York: New York University Press, 1997), 259.
38. Charis Inc. Notes for Charis Board of Directors Meeting, 1981, Charis Books.
39. Linda Bryant to Judy, Barbara, Julia, and Maya, July 4, 1981, Charis Books.
40. Linda Bryant to Judy, Barbara, Julia, and Maya, July 4, 1981, Charis Books.
41. Linda Bryant to Judy, Barbara, Julia, and Maya, July 4, 1981, Charis Books.
42. Saralyn Chestnut and Amanda C. Gable, “Women Ran It,” in Carryin’ on in the Lesbian and Gay South, ed. John Howard (New York: New York University Press, 1997), 270.
43. Rayna Rayford, “Did You Know Alice Walker Was The First Black Woman To Win A Pulitzer Prize For Fiction After Writing The Color Purple?,” Essence (December 2023).
44. Charis Inc. to Alice Walker, March 5, 1997, Charis Books.
45. Charis Inc. to Alice Walker, March 5, 1997, Charis Books.
46. Charis Inc. Charis Community Notes: Celebrating Our Lives, 1995, Charis Books.
47. Charis Inc. Charis Community Notes: Celebrating Our Lives, 1995, Charis Books.
48. Charis Inc. Charis Community Notes: Celebrating Our Lives, 1995, Charis Books.
49. Charis Inc. Charis Community Notes: Celebrating Our Lives, 1995, Charis Books.
50. Cliedia to Linda and Sherry, November 15, 1997, Charis Books.
51. Cliedia to Linda and Sherry, November 15, 1997, Charis Books.
52. Saralyn Chestnut and Amanda C. Gable, “Women Ran It,” in Carryin’ on in the Lesbian and Gay South, ed. John Howard (New York: New York University Press, 1997), 241.
53. Saralyn Chestnut and Amanda C. Gable, “Women Ran It,” in Carryin’ on in the Lesbian and Gay South, ed. John Howard (New York: New York University Press, 1997), 273.
54. Saralyn Chestnut and Amanda C. Gable, “Women Ran It,” in Carryin’ on in the Lesbian and Gay South, ed. John Howard (New York: New York University Press, 1997), 273.
55. Lisa to Sara, Linda and Sherry, November 12, 1997, Charis Books.
56. Lisa to Sara, Linda and Sherry, November 12, 1997, Charis Books.
57. Saralyn Chesnut, Amanda C. Gable, and Elizabeth Anderson, “Atlanta’s Charis Books and More: Histories of a Feminist Space,” Southern Spaces (November 2009).
58. Saralyn Chesnut, Amanda C. Gable, and Elizabeth Anderson, “Atlanta’s Charis Books and More: Histories of a Feminist Space,” Southern Spaces (November 2009).
59. Saralyn Chesnut, Amanda C. Gable, and Elizabeth Anderson, “Atlanta’s Charis Books and More: Histories of a Feminist Space,” Southern Spaces (November 2009).
Manuscript Sources
Charis Books and More-Charis Circle records, 1970s-2022. David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Duke University. [Charis Books]
Charis Inc. to Alice Walker, March 5, 1997.
Charis Inc. to Alice Walker, July 3, 1998.
Charis Inc. By-laws Committee Report. Board of Directors. Georgia: Charis Inc., March 4, 1982.
Charis Inc. Draft of By-laws. Board of Directors. Georgia: Charis Inc., 1982.
Charis Inc. Charis Community Notes: Celebrating Our Lives. Georgia: Charis Inc., 1995.
Charis Inc. Notes for Charis Board of Directors Meeting. Board of Directors. Georgia: Charis Inc., 1981.
Charis Inc. Organizational Meeting of the Board of Directors of Charis Inc. Board of Directors. Georgia: Charis Inc., 1982.
Cliedia to Linda and Sherry, Decatur, GA, November 15, 1997.
Junie. My Personal Plea for Your Help. Georgia: Charis Inc.
Linda Bryant to Judy, Barbara, Julia, and Maya, Decatur, GA, July 4, 1981.
Lisa to Sara, Linda and Sherry, Decatur, GA, November 12, 1997.
Bibliography
Brous, Ira. Democracy in the Workplace: Readings on the Implementation of Self-management in America. Ann Arbor: Strongforce Inc., 1977.
Howard, John. Carryin’ on in the Lesbian and Gay South. New York: New York University Press, 1997.
Radicalesbians. Women’s Liberation Movement Print Culture. Duke Digital Repository, The Rubenstein Library website. https://repository.duke.edu/dc/wlmpc/wlmms01011.
Rayford, Rayna. “Did You Know Alice Walker Was The First Black Woman To Win A Pulitzer Prize For Fiction After Writing The Color Purple?” Essence (December 2023). https://www.essence.com/news/first-black-woman-alice-walker-color-purple-pulitzer-prize/
Rich, B. Ruby. Review of Feminism and Sexuality in the 1980s, by Samois, Robin Ruth Linden, Darlene R. Pagano, Susan Leigh Star, Diana E. H. Russell, Ann Snitow, Christine Stansell, et al. Feminist Studies 12, no. 3 (1986): 525–61.https://doi.org/10.2307/3177911.
Saralyn Chesnut, Amanda C. Gable, and Elizabeth Anderson. “Atlanta’s Charis Books and More: Histories of a Feminist Space.” Southern Spaces (November 2009). https://doi.org/10.18737/M7NP57.
Travis, Trysh. The Women in Print Movement: History and Implications. The Johns Hopkins University Press, vol. 11 (2008): 275–300. https://www.jstor.org/stable/30227421.
