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| The
Feminist Bookshop was started in 1974 in Eastwood, a Sydney suburb,
by June James
and Julia Sugden. They were responding to the surge
of interest in the
Women’s Liberation Movement and women’s need to find books about
ourselves. It was an exciting time of activism and discovery . At the same
women were opening health centres, rape crisis centres & refuges. Very quickly
the bookshop became an information centre
for women,
and
within
a few
years moved to inner-west Balmain. |
![]() Julia & June -Our Founders |
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![]() Gail Jane & Libby- 1982 |
In
1982 the bookshop was taken over by three sisters Gail Hewison, Libby
Silva and Jane Waddy, and moved to its present location
at Lilyfield, also in the inner west of Sydney. Gail, Libby, and Jane
had previously
been involved in women’s services, mainly health and counselling,
and prior to finding their way to the women’s movement had worked
in teaching, psychology, advertising and travel. At a new location, and in a larger space the bookshop quickly grew into an important resource and information centre. Regular launches and readings were held, and via newsletters and booklists, the bookshop began to develop an extensive mail-order business, and now sends books all over Australia, and also overseas. |
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| In the 70s and early 80s our focus was Books By For And About Women, but as feminism became a broader movement for change, the bookshop began to expand its focus. Our regular clients now include community centres, family support services, sexual assault centres, hospitals, refuges, teachers, school counsellors, jails, therapists, Aboriginal Health Centres, libraries, and more, and we are well known as a resource center for anyone involved in any aspect of social and family work. Recently a School Counsellor Department Head from a western Sydney region said we were the only bookshop in Sydney where he could find every book he wanted in the one place. | ![]() We march on International Women's Day |
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![]() Book Launch |
We hold regular book launches, poetry readings, and Meet The Author events, we have a monthly Book Group, attend conferences with book displays, and with great pleasure maintain a wonderful collection of women’s fiction and poetry. Feminism is not just the serious stuff, for us it’s also about good reading, poetry, music, fun and adventure! Check out our great selection of women mystery writers! And our hand-picked children’s picture books! Have a look at our many booklists on this website. | |||||||
| If
you are in Sydney we invite you to come for a visit. On Saturday mornings
the
Orange
Grove Markets,
the best in
Sydney, are just
across the road, and there’s a nice little coffee shop right next
door. If you are not in Sydney, make use of our booklists, or get in touch
by email for any information you need. We are happy to do special orders,
any book on any subject! We specialise in hard-to-get titles! Jane has retired from the shop into full time mothering, but stays in touch. Gail and Libby continue, and are ably supported by co-workers Kat Lamb-McCabe and Kathryn Squires. Our shop cat Eliot, loved by all, completes the team. Eliot sits on the doorstep to welcome all visitors. No cat gets more cuddles than our El. |
![]() Eliot keeping an eye on things |
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IN
2008 WE ARE CELEBRATING 34 YEARS: . |
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Order
Of Australia Medal (OAM) " In 2006 Gail and Libby were each awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to community, especially to women, and for services to emerging authors. We are very proud of this recognition of our work at The Feminist Bookshop for the last 25 years." |
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