In 1969, a group of women came together to talk about their bodies and their lives. Frustrated by how little they knew, they set out to learn more. In 1971, they published a 193-page course book on stapled newsprint titled Women and Their Bodies.
The book was revolutionary for its frank talk about sexuality and abortion, which was then illegal.
In 1971, they changed the title to Our Bodies, Ourselves to emphasize women taking full ownership of their bodies. The book quickly became an underground success.
From 1971 to 2011, Our Bodies, Ourselves was revised and updated eight times and two single topic books were published: Our Bodies, Ourselves: Menopause and Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth. The Our Bodies Ourselves organization also produced several Spanish language texts, and global women’s groups around the world adapted Our Bodies, Ourselves into many different languages.
Our Bodies, Ourselves has long been referred to as the “women’s health bible” and has sold more than 4 million copies. Currently there are no plans for another print edition.
Learn more about each book:
Our Bodies, Ourselves (2011)
Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth (2008)
Our Bodies, Ourselves: Menopause (2006)
Spanish-language texts
De Camino a la Maternidad (2006)
Nuestros Cuerpos, Nuestras Vidas (2000)
Promotoras de Salud Training Guide (2002)
Other health books by the boston women’s health book collective and obos founders
Changing Bodies, Changing Lives(1998)
Sacrificing Our Selves For Love: Why Women Sacrifice Health And Self- Esteem And How To Stop (1996)
Ourselves, Growing Older (1994)
Ourselves and Our Children (1978)
