In 1969 twelve women in Boston decided to hold a symposium on “women and their bodies”. By 1970 a small booklet was published, and in 1973 it was picked up by a major publisher and renamed Our Bodies, Ourselves.
This was the first comprehensive volume to speak frankly about health issues specifically related to women. It was information by women, for women with the intention of educating women and girls about their bodies and giving them the language to talk openly with their doctors.
This October a new edition was published to focus on women’s health, physical, mental, and emotional. Each edition expands on topics that affect women in particular from menstruation to breast cancer to body image. The 2005 edition brought women’s issues into the 21st century with a companion website and discussion board for wider access and sharing. With the advent of the Internet women and girls now have more access to information than ever before, but also have access to more misinformation and hurtful images. Our Bodies, Ourselves has proven to be a trusted source of information and leader in women’s health initiatives nationally and around the world.
The 40 year anniversary of Our Bodies, Ourselves reminds us of the privilege we have as women, young and old, to be educated about our bodies. At Chatham we are proud to offer many resources on women’s health, women’s rights issues, family and relationships, and gender studies. The JKM Library will put that information in your hands.