(The following is derived from a brochure and other information about this group:)

In the fall of 1976, 40 or so women from Madison and Milwaukee began meeting with the idea of buying land collectively for use by 'womyn and children'. At the first official meeting they went around a circle and shared fantasies about womyn's land. This meeting led to the eventual purchase of a piece of land of about 80 acres, 2 hours north of Madison, called DOE farm (DOE standing for Daughters Of Earth).

The farm was purchased for $37,500, including house and barn- $15,00 as down payment and a 20 year mortgage. The mortgage and the continuing cost of maintaining the farm was to be paid by a collective living on the land, as well as additional donations.

As stated in the brochure:

"The purpose of the co-op is to hold land for future generations, to conserve and maintain her organic resources, and to guard against her exploitation and depletion. We are working to provide space for the development of alternative skills and survival methods to those groups who have not had the opportunity to develop them, especially womyn and children. We are committed to providing both living and retreat space.

"The co-op is a vehicle through which we as womyn can share our skills, knowledge and resources with each other. it is a way to encourage and support us to free ourselves from a traditionally oppressive system and help bring about the rebirth of womyn's culture."

The Wisconsin Womyn's Land Co-op's members seemed to primarily identify by gender (as women, seeking to underscore the difference of gender identity), but its also clear that most of the members were lesbian, so sexual orientation clearly was important to them, as well.

The Co-op appears to have had as many as 200 members over time. However by the mid 1980s the group seems to have disbanded. The disposition of the land is unknown.

The University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee Archives has much more documentation on this group available for research.

Brochure, circa 1978