Body Politic: Dispatches from the Women's Health Revolution

by Barbara Seaman (Editor), Laura Eldridge (Editor)

“In 1969, Barbara Seaman proved that women can talk back to doctors—calmly, rationally, and scientifically. For many of us, women’s liberation began at that moment.”—Barbara Ehrenreich

Science journalist Barbara Seaman has been on the front lines as a women’s health advocate for the last forty years. Throughout her career, she has also been a tireless supporter of other women’s voices. Here she brings together an essential collection of essays, interviews, and commentary by leading activists, writers, doctors, and sociologists to celebrate the progress of the women’s health movement. On topics ranging from reproductive rights, sex and orgasm, activism, motherhood and birth control, here are over two hundred contributions from Jennifer Baugardner, Susan Brownmiller, Phyllis Chesler, Angela Davis, Barbara Ehrenreich, Germaine Geer, Shulamith Firestone, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Erica Jong, Molly Haskell, Shere Hite, Susie Orbach, Judith Rossner, Alix Kates Shulman, Gloria Steinem, Sojourner Truth, Rebecca Walker, Naomi Wolf, and many others.

Barbara Seaman’s first book, The Doctors’ Case Against the Pill (1969), prompted Senate hearings, exposed the biases of the medical establishment regarding women’s health issues, and inspired women around the world to take control of their health. Her latest book, The Greatest Experiment Ever Performed on Women (2003), exposed the risks of hormone therapy for women. She is also the author of Free and Female (1972), Women and the Crisis in Sex Hormones (1977), and Lovely Me: The Life of Jacqueline Susann (1987). She lives in New York City.

Laura Eldridge is a women’s health writer and activist living in Brooklyn, New York.

960 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

About the author

One of the most tireless health advocates, Barbara Seaman (1935-2008) was co-founder of the National Women's Health Network, and a pioneer in a new style of health reporting that focused on patient rights. Her groundbreaking investigative book, The Doctors' Case Against the Pill (1969), prompted Senate hearings in 1970 that led to a warning label on oral contraceptives and the drastic lowering of estrogen doses due to dangerous health effects. Well received by a mass audience, Seaman was a columnist and contributing editor at Bride's Magazine, Ladies' Home Journal, Family Circle, and Ms. Magazine. She also contributed to the New York Times, Washington Post, Newsday, and others.

Books

* The Doctor's Case Against the Pill (1969)
* Free and Female (1972)
* Women and the Crisis in Sex Hormones (1977)(with Gideon Seaman, M.D.)
* Lovely Me: The Life of Jacqueline Susann (1987)
* The Greatest Experiment ever Performed on Women: Exploding the Estrogen Myth (2003)
* For Women Only: Your Guide to Health Empowerment with Gary Null (2000).

Contributor to many books, including:

* Career and Motherhood (1979)
* Rooms with No View (1974)
* Women and Men (1975)
* Seizing our Bodies (1978)

Contributor to several plays and documentaries, including:

* I am a Woman (1972)
* Taking Our Bodies Back (1974)
* The American Experience Presents the Pill (2003)