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NOW sexuality conference

Some Extra Footage from the Bodysex Workshop

Thu, 01/19/2012 - 13:18
Submitted by Carlin Ross

We shot this scene on the last day of production.  I'd found the transcript from NOW's Sexuality Conference in 1973 (the year I was born) and fell in love with Betty's speech. 

I showed it to our director and we decided to have Betty, Sheila (she was there with Betty at the conference) and me read it on camera - amazing:

Having Sex with Machines: The Return of the Electric Vibrator

Wed, 06/09/2010 - 00:38
Submitted by Betty Dodson
Original Drawing Betty Dodson

One evening I announced to several friends that I'd been making an effort to claim my intellectual property to establish my place in history. One academic friend smiled and said, "That's like trying to hold onto a pile of money in the middle of a busy intersection." Although I laughed at the time, I now realize how accurate his analogy was. Still, I continue to dash into the intersection to declare another accomplishment that I'm proud to claim.

Split Beaver Slideshow for Feminists

During the month of February in 1973, I was running the next round of sexual CR groups when I got a call from Dell Williams. She insisted I get involved in the planning committee for the NOW Sexuality Conference. Dell would later open the first women's sex shop in New York City. Like me, she too was a Wilhelm Reich enthusiast and we both agreed about the importance of women's sexual liberation.

Sex Machines

Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:22
Submitted by Betty and Carlin

Betty Dodson introduced the electric vibrator back in 1973 at NOW's one and only sexuality conference. Vibrators have gone mainstream -  52% of Americans own one.  Don't you want to know how Betty discovered them???

Sponsored by Adam & Eve

Split Beaver Slideshow for Feminists

It's summer...time to take off your panties, let your pussy breathe, and listen to the story of Betty's Split Beaver Slideshow for Femininists & Sex Machine workshop at NOW's Sexuality Conference back in '73.   Oh, and we invented the Dodson & Ross pussy cup vibrator during the podcast ;)

Sponsored by Adam & Eve


36:21 minutes (41.65 MB)

Majority of Americans Use Vibrators...Thank You Betty

Thu, 07/09/2009 - 19:30
Submitted by Carlin Ross

A recent study by Dr. Debra Herbenick and Dr. Michael Reece revealed that the majority of Americans use vibrators - over 52%.  Here's the email Betty received from Dr. Debra Herbenick thanking her for introducing the electric vibrator and promoting it every chance she could:

Dear Betty,

To see your name in my email inbox is a thrill! Michael and I are honored that you took the time to write to us. It is because of your work and perseverance, your incredible books and videos and workshops that have introduced women to vibrators, that they are as increasingly mainstream as they are today.

Thanks again, too, for writing such a lovely and supportive blurb for my new book, Because It Feels Good. It has an entire chapter about sex toys and, of course, tips on using vibrators alone and with a partner are sprinkled throughout. You have been such an inspiration to me.

I'm glad, too, that you mentioned the NOW conference... I remember reading about your experience there, but wasn't sure how to cite it (we want to reference it in an upcoming paper when talking about the history of vibrators in the United States).