Obituary for Paula Doress-Worters in the Washington Post

The "Washington Post" published an obituary for our cherished Paula Doress-Worters, a co-founder of Our Bodies Ourselves, and a lifelong activist and writer. The article emphasizes Paula's work to break the silence on post partum depression, among her many additional accomplishments.

“Our Bodies, Ourselves” offered humane, judgment-free guidance on subjects that were long considered taboo, from women’s anatomy and sexuality to birth control and abortion, which was then illegal in most states. The postpartum chapter was written by Ms. Doress-Worters and a colleague, Esther Rome. Like other chapters, it included no-nonsense medical information alongside stories from ordinary women, who recounted their postpartum struggles with sleepless nights and, in some cases, thoughts of suicide.

The book had a political edge. Ms. Doress-Worters and Rome quoted philosopher Herbert Marcuse, a favorite of the New Left, and called on women “to fight those aspects of our society which make childrearing a stressful rather than a fulfilling experience.” Their recommendations included the creation of group counseling and telephone services for pregnant and postpartum women, parental leave, “as provided in Sweden,” and workplace-provided day care.

“We are all human beings, all one species,” they concluded. “Our reproductive organs determine complementary roles in reproduction. They need not and should not determine our roles in society.”

Paula's memory is a blessing and we are thankful for the legacy she has left us. 

Our Bodies Ourselves shares its own obituary for Paula here: Remembering Paula Brown Doress-Worters.