Back in the late 60s and early 70s, there was a cigarette advertisement campaign that said, "You've Come A Long Way Baby," which capitalized on the feminist movement and woman's fight for equality. At that time, it appeared women were making progress in their battle for equality in all facets of their lives. While research has shown the former is unhealthy and causes cancer in women, the latter appears to be an ongoing fight.
Around the same time, in 1971 Newton's Judy Norsigian co-authored the book, "Our Bodies, Ourselves," which emphasized women taking ownership of their bodies. It was revolutionary.
Women were reacting to the sexism, the paternalism, and the condescension that was interfering with getting good health care and information.
Norsigian recently appeared locally at a lecture celebrating the 9th edition of the book, and she spoke with WGBH News about why the book was so important back then and remains relevant now.
Norsigian tells WGBH's Marilyn Schairer the genesis for the book developed in 1969 at a women's liberation conference in Boston, where women gathered to discuss their sexuality and the condescension of a male dominated profession of physicians, who she says knew little about the issues facing women and their bodies. "Women were reacting to the sexism, the paternalism, and the condescension that was interfering with getting good health care and information," according to Norsigian.
She says since then women have collaborated with and allied with many physicians, both female and male.
Norsigian says the book gave many women the opportunity to learn more about their bodies and sexuality. She says, "many women among us remain uncomfortable to discuss reproductive health and sexuality." She says many women, especially those raised Catholic, were given a copy of the book by an aunt, relative or friend and "may have kept it hidden in a room." She says she often hears stories from young women about how, "Our Bodies, Ourselves" saved them from some "horrible" outcome partly due to the information contained in the book and the fact that it made them feel that they weren't alone.
Norsigian encourages women to continue the discussion about women's reproductive issues by talking with members of Congress and pursue legislation regarding sexuality and gender-based violence.
The book, "Our Bodies, Ourselves", is now in its 9th edition and also includes information relating to childbirth and menopause.
To listen to an extended interview with Judy Norsigian and WGBH's Marilyn Schairer click on the audio file above.
