The oldest items in the Feminist Archive South are from peace campaigner Dora Russell.

In May 1958 Russell, who was married to the philosopher Bertrand Russell and founder of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, travelled to Europe in a caravan.

The Caravan of Peace was an all-women venture into communist bloc Eastern Europe at the height of the cold war.  The women had very little support and travelled with two vehicles  – a coach and an old army truck which carried tents, cooking equipment and food.

On her journey, known as the ‘Women’s Peace Caravan’, she met women peace campaigners and some of the artefacts she collected can be found in the archive.