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Our Bodies Ourselves

Education, Health and Well-Being

Email: office@bwhbc.org

Phone: 617.245.0200

Visit the Website

Geography: Global

Founded: 1969

Address:

5 Upland Road
Cambridge, MA 02140

About Our Bodies Ourselves (OBOS)

Our Bodies Ourselves (OBOS), also known as the Boston Women's Health Book Collective, is a global nonprofit, public interest organization based in Cambridge, Mass. OBOS promotes accurate, evidence-based information on girls' and women's reproductive health and sexuality, and addresses the social, economic and political conditions that affect health care access and quality of care.

OBOS's landmark publication, "Our Bodies, Ourselves," first published in 1971, has been translated and adapted into 25 languages by women's groups around the world. Library Journal named the new U.S. edition of "Our Bodies, Ourselves" (Simon & Schuster, 2011) one of the eight best consumer health books of the year.

Beginning in 1970 with the publication of the first edition of Our Bodies, Ourselves, OBOS has inspired the women’s health movement by:

  • producing books that make accurate health and medical information accessible to a broad audience by weaving women’s stories into a framework of practical, clearly written text
  • identifying and collaborating with exemplary individuals and organizations that provide services, generate research and policy analysis, and organize for social change
  • inspiring and empowering women to become engaged in the political aspects of sustaining good health for themselves and their communities

OBOS provides clear, truthful information about health, sexuality and reproduction from a feminist and consumer perspective. They vigorously advocate for women's health by challenging the institutions and systems that block women from full control over their bodies and devalue their lives. Their long-standing commitment to serve only in the public interest and our bridge-building capacity are our hallmarks. They remain one of the few women’s health groups in the U.S. that doesn’t accept funds from pharmaceutical companies and that tries to be scrupulous about conflict of interest.