Happy Birthday Betty Dodson!
[ 24 August 2007 ]
Legendary sex educator Betty Dodson turns 78 today! Happy birthday, you fabulous vixen!
“Much of her fame has come from her work not only advocating masturbation, but conducting workshops for more than 30 years in which groups of about 10 or more women would talk, explore their own bodies, and masturbate together. She hosted a public access cable television program in New York City in the early 70’s, and conducted her workshop – a dozen or so nude women discussing and practicing masturbation – on TV.”
(From her Wikipedia page)
In fact, Betty kept doing these workshops… even after she had a hip replacement! Now THAT is devotion to a cause!
In honour of this incredible woman’s birthday, it seems only reasonable that we celebrate in a way that would make her proud! Here are some suggestions…
Buy Betty’s best-selling book, Sex for One: The Joy of Selfloving. If you own it already, re-read it & get into it! Have a read (or a listen) to this interview between Betty & Dr Lori Buckley — who, from the transcript, sounds like the most enthusiastic person on the face of the planet! (It’s a good read.)
Put the internet to good use, & read websites by knowledgable, vivacious (& good-lookin’) sex experts! I love Violet Blue & Tristan Taormino — they are both accomplished authors with scores of books for you to work your way through. (Here are Violet’s books & these are Tristan’s.) Their websites are valuable resources for sex education, with tutorials, advice & links galore — & throw ‘em a little money, why don’t you?
Be kind to your lover with a deliciously scented massage. Lush Cosmetics make fabulous massage bars — my favourites are Soft Coeur & Mange Too. They’re made with cocoa butter, so they melt easily. Warm them up in your hands before rubbing onto the skin of a willing participant & improving their day! (Be careful to store them somewhere cool, though… the windowsill or bathroom counter are not recommended!)
Buy something a little risque or shocking! Coco De Mer is an incredible boutique with real treasures for the adventurous. They even have suggestions for use for all of their items, which is brilliant. My favourite Coco de Mer products are the “teach me a lesson” ruler (hot!) & this blindfold which proclaims, “freedom is choosing whose slave you want to be”. Hmmm… ! I am also keen on the flutterby, these pearls (which you probably shouldn’t wear around your neck) & this crystal & leather whip. Ooh la la!
Seduce yourself. Take a bath, eat some ice-cream, get a manicure, wear your favourite dress, make “come hither” faces at yourself in the mirror or get more hands on! Then flick Betty an email & tell her how much you appreciate her life’s work…
Super-love & cupcakes,
Gala
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I had my first orgasm at age 22 – and it was because of Sex For One – I thought I was incapable before reading it.
22, really? Better late than never, of course! Must have been a huge relief.
There’s a wonderful book on sex and sexuality regarding teenagers written by an Amercian woman named Heather Corinna. She runs an advice website for teens (as well as adults) called Scarleteen. And her blog entitled “Pure as the Driven Slush” is wonderfully candid, insightful, and inspiring. Definitely worth a look.
I have “I Touch Myself” stuck in my head now…
ah, good ol’ betty. bought my first vibrator from her website.
It definitely was a surprise, but apparently not uncommon. Anyway I made up for lost time. I always knew 22 was my lucky number!
Yay Gala! I was going to email you and say you write about something like this, but you have already! is very pleased
Good on you for putting something like this on here, there’s still so much stigma attached to female masturbation, it’s really very disturbing, and ridiculous, because orgasms are fantastic. ;)
. . . Damn. Now I have to spend the next hour convincing myself I don’t need that ruler.
I love how you are not shy or afraid to be as upfront as you can about these topics. I think a lot of women, even including myself, are a little put off by the openness of the topic, but it’s good to be open! Thanks for these links! Annnnd that photo, especially what is written on that fortune was just what I needed to read today, it can apply to all sorts of aspects in life. Hooray!
Betty’s the coolest!
I’m not sure why there’s still so much stigma attached to female masturbation… or masturbation in general. Certainly kept my sex drive in check until I was mature enough to handle sex. And also is a wonderful way to get to know your body!
Heh, it is my birthday today too! Also Dave Chappelle’s, Jorge Luis Borges’s, and etc.
Good heavens! I don’t think you’d ever catch a group of men together learning/exploring self loving!!!
Rachael — Really! How are you ever going to have a satisfying sex life if you don’t know what works for you?!
Anna — I feel the same way. Love it so much!
Mae Jane — Hee! I think it’s pretty obvious that a lot of people are embarrassed by the subject… you only have to look at the lack of comments, wink wink!
Chesney — Amen!
valuska — I hope you had a good one :D
Robin Hosking — I think you & I live in different universes! I’ve read a lot of stuff which begs to differ with your comment… but then maybe I’m only reading what I want to ;D
Oh gosh, major misinterpretation there! The stigma attached is the very disturbing/ridiculous thing, not female masturbation! Opposite point entirely.