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 and Lilyfield.
It has since closed down but is remembered by the State Library of New South Wales as well as this tribute site. Too many women’s bookshops around the world have closed down in recent years, as well as many independent bookshops.
Key details regarding the shop’s history include:
Foundation: Opened by June James and Julia Sugden at 204 Rowe Street, Eastwood, using $1000 each for initial funding.
Significance: It was the first in Australia to focus solely on feminist literature, attracting attention for its unique content.
Opposition: Local conservatives complained about the shop’s content, leading to police investigations.
Locations & Evolution: Following the original Eastwood store, a second location opened in Balmain in 1977. The business later relocated to Lilyfield.
Community Impact: The shop played a key role in the development of gay and lesbian literature availability in Sydney.
Here’s an article about the bookshop.