It is National Women’s History Month and one woman that has always impressed me is Betty Dodson (August 1929-October 2020).
Betty Dodson was a pioneer in women’s sexuality. She is the reason that females embrace masturbation and don’t feel shame with regard to participating in self-love. She believed in being sex-positive and she was a strong feminist.
She beautifully illustrated in her book Liberating Masturbation published in 1974 that the vulva comes in all shapes and sizes. Prior to its publication, women were unaware that the vulva had so many varieties in its appearance. Truth be told, we are reminded here and there through extensive pieces about the vulva’s appearance not being a one size fits all.
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Women learned that female genital plastic surgery was unnecessary women were meant to have differing vulvas it is not a one size fits all body part. Unless there is a true medical reason for the surgery it is usually unwarranted. Female genital procedures range from labiaplasty, clitoral hood reduction, labia majoraplasty, monsplasty and vaginoplasty. Sometimes also called vaginal rejuvenation, female genital cosmetic surgery, or designer vagina surgery.
Betty Dodson is also a part of the reason vibrators exist for females. Many companies sent their vibrators to her to test however she was loyal to the (Hitachi) Magic Wand.
Betty encouraged females to explore their bodies and sexuality. She supported touching and viewing your vulva with a mirror while relaxing on the floor. She constantly reminded us that sex is supposed to be fun and playful.
Women learned about the power of their clitoris because of her. She educated us that the clitoris has 8000 nerve endings and technically the clitoris has more nerve endings than the penis has. The clitoris’s main and only purpose is for feeling sensual pleasure. The clitoris is the internal version of the penis. Women have the same amount of erectile tissue as men.
She educated and gave us permission to take our time reaching a climax actually she believed the longer you take to reach having an orgasm the better it feels. Orgasms reduce stress, enhance sleep, and boost hormone levels.
She was a pioneer in helping women overcome negative body image and overcoming the fear of feeling pleasure. Women learned it was perfectly okay to have sex with themselves. Masturbation and understanding what feels good to your vulva is a powerful tool to have.
Betty taught us that self-loving through solo sex is an acceptable form of expression. Masturbation is a wonderful way to connect with yourself and understand your sexual response. When you learn your own sexual response and what your body enjoys, it is easier for you to communicate this with a partner.
She supported masturbation also an option to do at the same time with your partner.
Betty did a fantastic job at educating females about their vulva and vagina. As she has been known to say, the vagina is just the birth canal.
Betty wrote 3 popular informative easy-to-read books. Liberating Masturbation, Sex for One, and Orgasms for Two.
Regrettably, I never had the chance to meet Betty Dodson or take her Bodysex workshop. Based on what I know about her and myself, I have no doubt we would have hit it off. She was spunky, witty, and love to talk about sex what a great combination in a woman. Thank you, Betty, you will be missed!
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