“No longer alone”: The Union des femmes artistes musiciennes (UFAM), a laboratory for new forms of professional socialisation for women musicians in the early 20th century?

Abstract

In response to the economic and symbolic difficulties experienced by women musicians, the Union des femmes artistes musiciennes (UFAM), founded in 1910 by Lucy Tassart, set out to provide financial, medical and legal assistance to its members. This article examines the history of the early years of the UFAM in the light of the notion of socialization, understanding it as an instance of transformation of the uses and representations linked to the profession of musicienne in early-20th century France.

Keywords

• Union des femmes artistes musiciennes
• women musicians
• labour history
• musical unions
• first-wave feminism
• women orchestras