Our bodies, ourselves Book

Our Bodies, Ourselves is produced by the nonprofit Our Bodies Ourselves (Boston Women's Health Book Collective originally). Published in '73, it contains information related to many aspects of health & sexuality, including menopause, birth control, childbirth, sexual health, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental health & general well-being. Now in its 12th edition, published in over 20 languages & braille, the current "new edition for a new era," has 832 pages, including new pictures, diagrams & interviews. The NYT has called it "America's best-selling book on all aspects of women's health", a "feminist classic." The book began as a 35-cent, 136-page booklet called Women & Their Bodies, published in '70 by New England Free Press, written by 12 Boston feminist activists. It was intended as the basis for a women's health course, the 1st written by women. The seminar was organized in '69 by Nancy Miriam Hawley at Boston's Emmanuel College. "We weren't encouraged to ask questions, but to depend on the so-called experts," she told Women's eNews. "Not having a say in our own health care frustrated & angered us. We didn't have the information we needed, so we decided to find it on our own." They researched & wrote it themselves: Wendy Sanford about abortion, Jane Pincus & Ruth Bell about pregnancy, Paula Doress & Esther Rome about postpartum depression. 250,000 copies sold in New England without formal advertising. Successful, they formed the non-profit Boston Women's Health Book Collective & published the 1st 276-page Our Bodies, Ourselves in '73. It featured 1st-person stories & tackled taboos. Well over four million copies have sold. Simon & Schuster publishes it now. The 1st book arose from the feminist movement, reflecting its values. Personal experiences are quoted. The socio-political context of women's health informs content. The style is familiarly inclusive, authors referring to women & themselves collectively.