--- title: "We Wrote a Chapter and Changed the World!" date: 2016-11-23T19:01:41-05:00 author: OBOS Admin canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog/we-wrote-a-chapter-and-changed-the-world" section: Blog (Archive) --- [Donate](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/donate) [From the Archives of Our Bodies, Our Blog](/blog)# We Wrote a Chapter and Changed the World! By Our Bodies Ourselves • November 23, 2016 Please note: This entry -- originally posted at [Our Bodies, Our Blog](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog) -- has not been updated since the publication date listed above. ![Founders-2016](data:image/png;base64,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)Our Bodies Ourselves founders, 2016. Back row, from left to right: Wendy Sanford, Paula Doress-Worters, Norma Swenson, Elizabeth MacMahon-Herrera. Third row: Pam Berger, Joan Ditzion, Nancy Miriam Hawley. Second row: Judy Norsigian, Ruth Davidson Bell Alexander, Sally Whelan. First row: Jane Pincus, Vilunya Diskin. More than 45 years ago, we -- the founders of Our Bodies Ourselves -- first met to talk about our lives, our health, and our bodies. We had never discussed these intimate issues publicly. We came to believe then, as we do now, that there is no substitute for a small group of women, in the spirit of mutual trust and respect, listening, speaking, and honoring the truth of our own lived experiences. ![](https://assets.ourbodiesourselves.org/images/blog-archive/foundersbytree2.jpg)OBOS Founders, circa 1975. Back row (L-R): Wendy Sanford, Paula Doress-Worters, Joan Ditzion, Judy Norsigian, Jane Pincus, Norma Swenson, Nancy Miriam Hawley; seated in front row: Pamela Berger, Ruth Bell Alexander, Vilunya Diskin, Esther Rome. Photo: Phyllis EwenThrough our conversations and ensuing research, we developed a course via a newsprint book to keep our conversations going. That first book became “Our Bodies, Ourselves,” which has since been updated and reissued in nine editions over four decades and [adapted](/global-projects/) into more than 30 languages, selling close to 5 million copies overall. At present, we are a vibrant, active founders group deeply involved with the future of the Our Bodies Ourselves organization (OBOS). The work we started is far from done. We are appalled at the recent election rhetoric that advocates a serious undermining of women’s rights, revealing dangerously sexist and racist attitudes. We are bracing ourselves to fight attempts to reverse advances in basic reproductive and human rights, from birth control and abortion to sexual and gender identity. ![](https://assets.ourbodiesourselves.org/images/blog-archive/Norma-Mel.jpg)There is a powerful need for intergenerational dialogue. Together we can build on past achievements, define current essential issues, and advocate for women’s health and rights, bringing marginalized matters into public discourse. (Keep an eye out for the first edition of our new monthly enewsletter, which will feature a dialogue between co-founder Norma Swenson and our newest (and youngest) staff member Melanie Floyd, shown at right.) In our passionate advocacy for reproductive rights and justice, OBOS has always recognized the need for society to respect the rights of all women. As women of childbearing age navigate new and more complicated options in reproductive technologies, we are excited about the December launch of Surrogacy360, OBOS’s new website on international commercial surrogacy. In addition, OBOS’s website has been and will continue to be a unique, trustworthy source of reliable information for women and girls worldwide. Our feminist critique and critical viewpoint counteract the internet’s excess of misinformation based on biased commercial interests. From its inception, OBOS has refused pharmaceutical corporate funding. As co-authors of the book “Our Bodies, Ourselves” and founders of the non-profit OBOS organization, we are thrilled to have Julie Childers, our new executive director, aboard. Together, we will create OBOS’s “next "chapter" as we will build on our collective vision and values. We will continue to meet the needs of women, girls and families. And we will empower new multicultural generations to work for reproductive and sexual health within a feminist, human rights and social justice framework. We are, marvelously and against all odds, one of the few remaining organizations from the early days of the global women’s movement. In this, our 45th anniversary year, we want to ensure a flourishing future for OBOS. **Please join us in** [**giving**](/donate-to-our-bodies-ourselves/) **as generously as you can**. [Donate today](/donate-to-our-bodies-ourselves/) to help OBOS protect women’s rights, fight for reproductive justice, challenge disinformation, and empower the next generation of women and girls. *Elizabeth MacMahon-Herrera, Jane Pincus, Joan Ditzion, Judy Norsigian, Miriam Hawley, Norma Swenson, Paula Doress-Worters, Pamela Berger, Ruth Alexander, Vilunya Diskin, Wendy Sanford* ![](https://assets.ourbodiesourselves.org/images/blog-archive/founderssignblog.jpg) --- #### 84 Responses Our Bodies Ourselves is no longer able to accept comments. **Charlotte ellis** on Nov 27, 2016 Please add me to your email list **Laura Leach** on Nov 28, 2016 Please add me to your email list and thank you for all your wonderful work. I bought my first copy of OBO 39 years ago! **Ellen Kramer** on Dec 10, 2016 Please add me to your mailing list **Lisa Hartley** on Nov 27, 2016 OMG this is a beautiful picture. I have volunteered at a health collective based on OBOS for 5 years and while I'm in my 50's I've had a passionate resurgence of the importance "of small group of women, in the spirit of mutual trust and respect, listening, speaking, and honoring the truth of our own lived experiences." thank you thank you thank you... **Laura Mueller** on Nov 28, 2016 My mother, a fairly forward thinking 40 yr old widow gave me Our Bodies Ourselves on my 18th birthday, January 6, 1972. I read the chapter, "In Amerika, They Call Us Dykes" - I had no clue what that meant. It was the first glimmer of naming for me...thank you so much. **Darcy** on Nov 28, 2016 Agreed! Thank you! **Ellen Grogan** on Nov 29, 2016 Your wonderful book was part of my radicalisation and invaluable in inspiring me to value self care. Thank you sisters-great to be able to contact you now 30 yrs later via the wonders of the interweb. I'm in London and fighting legalisation of prostitution via nordicmodelnow.org but I will make sure to support you. Your battle against the odious Spunktrumpet is the battle of all women. Much love, Ellen Grogan **Ann Thomson** on Nov 28, 2016 I was very active in the Canadian pro-choice movement for more than 20 years, until the Canadian Supreme Court removed all restrictions on clinics in this country. A subsequent effort by Parliament to make abortion illegal again failed, and since 1991, Canada has had NO law on abortion. The sky has not fallen. Women make their own appointments at clinics and those hospitals that perform abortions. Access is, however, limited - there are few abortion facilities. I was thrilled to be part of that struggle and to help open Everywoman's Health Centre in Vancouver, B.C. in 1988. Later, I wrote a book about it called WINNING CHOICE ON ABORTION, which may be ordered from me via email. Cost: $35 (incl s/h) **Leslie Linkkila** on Nov 28, 2016 OBOS was my owners manual as a young woman. At this time in history in particular, it's important to keep educating young women. Please add me to your list. **Christine Chevalier** on Nov 28, 2016 I still have my first edition copy! Thank you so much for all your hard work over the years. Hoping and praying that the upcoming four years are not going to be as devastating as predicted for my US sisters...Love and Light from Canada... **Jalal Quinn** on Nov 28, 2016 I took a copy of the book to Liberia (west coast of Africa) and with the aid of the wonderful illustrations and diagrams was able to teach some of the Liberian young women about how their bodies worked. They had no idea. One friend took the book and went into a room alone and closed the door and read for over an hour. **Darcy** on Nov 28, 2016 I am glad you're still around. But couldn't you wait with the hit up for money till I had at least read the article? I got a popup. Sorry...just been unrelentingly hit up for money by every last website I go to and am utterly sick of it all. I have contributed and contributed and it feels like that's what it's all about. I am as overwhelmed by that as I am about the disgusting election outcome. **Jill Stanley** on Nov 28, 2016 48 years ago all of you began to teach me how to navigate as a complicated, young woman. I have shared your collective wisdom many times. Thank you all. **Sara Joy David** on Nov 29, 2016 Proud to have promoted this book for 45 years! Delighted to see so many aging with flair. We are "seasoned" citizens as deceased journalist and Canadian treasure June Callwood described many feminists of the 60's and 70's **Sara Joy David** on Nov 29, 2016 Proud to have promoted this book for 45 years! Delighted to see so many aging with flair. We are "seasoned" citizens as deceased journalist and Canadian treasure June Callwood described many feminists of the 60's and 70's **Carmen Figarola Plaja** on Nov 29, 2016 I did no knew this book, thank you- I starde workin for the women´s rights at the 69 as well. The most imoportant thinks at that time in Spain was to change the laws. The police was dreadtfull with us, we could go to jail for ouer manifestation. **Davida Foy Crabtree** on Nov 29, 2016 I am deeply grateful for your work way back when. I was a student at Andover Newton Theological School when the newsprint edition first came out. I've kept it all these years. Used it and subsequent editions to teach sexuality in parishes around New England and national settings. Thank you! **Ingrid Hilario** on Nov 29, 2016 The best thing to come out of Trump's election: The revitalization of every progressive force to fight everything he stands for. Cheering you on! **Claire** on Dec 08, 2016 My sentiment as well, now is a powerful time for action and this is what feminism is all about. Thank you for this "resurgence" of your/ourselves! **Sue schmelzer** on Nov 30, 2016 I bought this book over 40 years ago and still have it in my library. Many thanks and much continued success with your future endeavors. Please add my name to your mailing list. **Amy Angel** on Nov 30, 2016 Thank you for your groundbreaking work. Then and now. **Beth McClain** on Dec 01, 2016 So happy to see this please add me to your email. **Sally Fleischmann Ember, Ed.D.** on Dec 02, 2016 I was trained as a Lay Women's Health Educator by the Cambridge Feminist Women's Health Center in 1978, joined the Rising Sun Feminist Health Alliance in 1979 and continued to teach/lead sexuality and women's/girls' health classes throughout the 1980s and 1990s. I met and spoke with many of the original members of the Feminist Health Book Collective, including the OBOS' authors. Such inspirations! Thank you all for informing, enriching, and empowering me and so many others for over 40 years! Keep going! **Jane Corley** on Dec 02, 2016 Wow! That book was a must read back in the day-MAHALO for all your hard work! Happy to see you are still going strong. **Natalie Woodroofe** on Dec 07, 2016 I was part of a women's group that ordered speculums after reading newsprint copies of OBOS. So thrilling and empowering. We went on to launch a women's center at Franconia College in NH in 1971, along with one of the first women's studies programs in the country. **Mona Fafarman** on Dec 08, 2016 OBOS changed my life over 40 years ago. Thank you all. **Phillida Bunkle** on Dec 09, 2016 wonderful to see this picture of you all looing so vibrant and still offering us leadership in a world that seems grime in which our values feel like they have been deleted. You remind us that we are not powerless. **John** on Dec 10, 2016 Congratulations on all you have done **CC Minton** on Dec 10, 2016 As a former member of BACE and their Nursing Mother's Council CONGRATS and hello old colleagues. Still remember the time that Norma did a tour jete In our living room in Belmont. Cynthia (formerly Stark) Minton **Pam Bells Sandborn** on Dec 10, 2016 Please put me on your mailing list. I also have an original edition. Keep up the great work! **Karen LeMonnier** on Dec 10, 2016 Thank goodness for this book. I learned everything about my body. Couldn't count on school or parents to inform us. I am forever grateful to these empowering women. **Kathleen** on Dec 10, 2016 Still have my original copy from way back then... along with the newest! A friend shared hers with me at the time, and I shared it with other women over and over again through the years. Thank you. **Judy Eiss** on Dec 11, 2016 Thank you for an unsurpassed, first of its kind manual for our bodies. Please add me to your email list **Kathy Catino** on Dec 11, 2016 Happy holidays women! Please add me to your list! **Janey Kelf** on Dec 11, 2016 Part Raised me ha ha add me please and many thanx for your world changing writings **Evelyn Burke** on Dec 11, 2016 Please add me to your mailing list **Claire Watts** on Dec 11, 2016 Please add me to your email list, very important issues. **Cynthia Shaw** on Dec 11, 2016 Thanks is all I can say' . **Michele Torchia** on Dec 11, 2016 This book influenced me so in college, I became an OB-GYN. My practice integrated as much self-actualization as my patients could bear. Life changing book. **Joan** on Dec 11, 2016 This was so important for the women I knew and for me. Thank you for continuing the work. **Evie Gerontis** on Dec 11, 2016 Hello, what you are doing is fantastic! One question though, intergeneratiinal is great...what about intersectional as well? Where are the women of color as partners? **Bonnie Shepard** on Dec 19, 2016 Thank you for this comment, Evie. Intersectional work and women of color as partners is top on our list of priorities! We are reaching out to understand how best we can support their organizations, and starting a Board recruitment effort in the New Year, with a commitment to adding a critical mass of women of color leaders to the Board to help guide OBOS to write our next chapter. **nancy** on Dec 11, 2016 please add me to your email list! I am looking to begin a women's group with my friends and this book could be our starting point! **penny corbett** on Dec 11, 2016 Judy Norsigian, You may or may not remember, but I was part of the very first women's group meetings but then left the Boston area before you all started writing the book. I've always been very grateful for both those early meetings but most especially for what you accomplished with the book(s). Yours is the only name I do remember from that time since we went to school together, before you entered Med School. All my best and my gratutude to all of you. Penny **Kathleen Holt** on Dec 11, 2016 Our coffee group, men and women concerned about how things are developing in what will be the next administration, want to study the issues and act on them in a way that will let our voices be hear. So new that we do not have a name. I am gathering information to report back to the group on women's issues. I very much would like to be kept up to date on all these issues. **Barbara Orcutt** on Dec 12, 2016 This 71yo lesbian retired Certified Nurse-Midwife held you in her heart with every class & mom she taught and with every baby she caught. I still have my newsprint copy - a treasure! Especially back then! Thank you, thank you, thank you!???? **Dana Ann Wallingford** on Dec 12, 2016 I did not find OBOS until 1974, a mere 42 years ago. Really? That long already? I 'm glad your organization is still around. Please add my name to your email list. **Riva Blechman** on Dec 12, 2016 So glad to hear you are all still doing your good work. Your book was invaluable to me and later to my daughter and niw to my granddaughter! **Riva Blechman** on Dec 12, 2016 Please add me to your mailing list. **Gail Smith** on Dec 12, 2016 Yes please put me on the email list. **Rae** on Dec 12, 2016 Please add me to your email list. **Sarah** on Dec 12, 2016 Still have. My first copy and was happy to share it with my daughters. **Deborah McKay** on Dec 12, 2016 Bravo and bountiful blessings and gratitude to you all! Please add me to your email list! Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo **Felicity Ann Khan** on Dec 12, 2016 Where can I buy this book I am in Cape Town South Africa **Elizabeth Parusha-Parlor** on Dec 12, 2016 Could writing the next chapter on women's health also include the health and sexuality of aging women-aging as in 70s and 80s, plus. No one told me that due to a tendency toward auto-immune illness (Hashimoto's thyroiditis), I would develop others such as lichen sclerosis. And it doesn't seem troubling to anyone, but me. My doctor just nods, as she does about arthritis. I need OBOS. Still. I raised my daughter with it. Made me feel secure and I need it as I age and discover that it's just like our mothers said, we are forgotten, overlooked, diminished. Please add me to your email list. **Anne Tinker** on Dec 12, 2016 Thank you for your continuing efforts on behalf of women, girls and humanity. They are needed now more than ever. **Sandra Babcock** on Dec 12, 2016 Please add me to your email. **Chris Blackburn** on Dec 12, 2016 Grateful for more women doctors and surgeons and women resesrchers! We're having an intergenerational class on Feminism and Science next Semester held at Pomona College, Claremont, Ca. Looking forward to being part of it. If any collective members live on SoCal, love to know. Add me to mailing list. Gratefully, Chris 1 2 ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics - [Activism & Resources](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog/topic/activism-resources) - [Our Bodies Ourselves](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog/topic/our-bodies-ourselves) ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** - We rigorously evaluate all content - We embrace a reproductive justice framework - We don’t accept ads or sell products - We reject funding from the pharmaceutical industry - We counter misinformation and disinformation - We address the social, political, and economic factors that affect health and sexuality [read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us) Share [](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)