What Is the History of the Global Translations and Adaptations Projects?

When “Our Bodies, Ourselves” became a bestseller in the United States in the 1970s, publishers and women’s organizations in Europe sought to use it as a resource for their countries, resulting in eight different translations across Europe. Projects later followed in Russia, Egypt, South Africa, China, Japan and Israel, many of which moved away from commercially produced direct translations to resources that were adapted by women who lived in the cultures where the materials were created.

Norma Swenson, one of the OBOS founders, led the global outreach, working on early editions in Europe. She explored new opportunities in Latin America, Asia and Africa and championed a program dedicated to the organization’s growing network and vision. With a foundation in place and projects underway in Thailand, China and Senegal, transitional leadership was provided by Jennifer Yanco. In 2000, Sally Whelan, another OBOS founder, led the global work under a dedicated program called the Global Translation/Adaptation Program. Sally was joined by Ayesha Chatterjee in 2006 and, together, they shaped a program that facilitated a thriving global network. The program was re-named the Our Bodies Ourselves Global Initiative in 2010, and Sally and Ayesha remained on staff until OBOS’s transition to a volunteer model in 2018.

Over the years, the global partners have held three in-person gatherings to share their experiences adapting the book for women in their own countries and learn from each other. The meetings took place in 2001, 2002, and 2011. Read more about these gatherings.