Boston Public Library
Our Bodies Ourselves
Detail from:
Our bodies, our selves : a course by and for women
In 1970, a group of twelve women working together as the Boston Women's Health Book Collective created a course book titled Women and Their Bodies. Published in Boston by the New England Free Press, Women and Their Bodies provided frank information about women's health and sexuality, while empowering readers to learn about their bodies and to take control of their healthcare. In April of 1971, the New England Free Press issued a new edition of the book, now under the title Our Bodies Our Selves.
Including the original version issued as Women and Their Bodies, the text was printed 11 separate times between December 1970 and January 1973. With each new printing, various changes were introduced. In some cases, these changes primarily affected the layout and appearance of the book; at other times, changes reflected the Health Book Collective's reaction to evolving state abortion laws, provided updates to medical advice, or represented other substantive revisions.
By the time the first Simon & Schuster edition of Our Bodies Ourselves was issued in 1973, the New England Free Press had already printed over 200,000 staple-bound copies of the book, distributing them to women and health organizations around the world.
Critical funding to support long-term preservation of and enhanced public access to Boston Public Library collections, including this one, was provided by the Associates of the Boston Public Library.
Including the original version issued as Women and Their Bodies, the text was printed 11 separate times between December 1970 and January 1973. With each new printing, various changes were introduced. In some cases, these changes primarily affected the layout and appearance of the book; at other times, changes reflected the Health Book Collective's reaction to evolving state abortion laws, provided updates to medical advice, or represented other substantive revisions.
By the time the first Simon & Schuster edition of Our Bodies Ourselves was issued in 1973, the New England Free Press had already printed over 200,000 staple-bound copies of the book, distributing them to women and health organizations around the world.
Critical funding to support long-term preservation of and enhanced public access to Boston Public Library collections, including this one, was provided by the Associates of the Boston Public Library.