Inspired and Outraged - by Alice Rothchild (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A remarkable autobiography of Alice Rothchild's journey from 1950's good girl to irreverent, feisty, feminist obstetrician-gynecologist forging her own direction in the contradictory, sexist world of medicine

A remarkable autobiography--written entirely in free verse--of Alice Rothchild's journey from 1950's good girl to irreverent, feisty, feminist obstetrician-gynecologist forging her own direction in the contradictory, sexist world of medicine. As a child who came of age in the turbulent 1960s, she was compelled to create a path in the often outrageous, male-dominated medical field, repeatedly finding herself to be a first: accepted into an ob-gyn residency, opening an all-woman practice, working with midwives, challenging the status quo, shaped by her early involvement with Our Bodies Ourselves. Rothchild's poems are steeped in the often-shocking history of medicine and the conflicted sexual politics of the second half of the twentieth century.

Review Quotes

"Inspired and Outraged is fascinating for its complexity and multifaceted nature. It is a story of coming of age, of following one's dreams, of serving the vulnerable, of being "othered," of finding love and joy, and of struggling with relationships. Readers will likely be left outraged at some of Rothchild's experiences, but inspired by her example of resilience, perseverance, dedication, and compassion."-- "Synapsis: A Health Humanities Journal"

"This free-verse autobiography is unique, compelling, enraging and inspiring. Through engaging and passionate poetry, feminist obstetrician-gynecologist Alice Rothchild powerfully recounts her experiences fighting for gender equity in medicine, reform in health care and justice in the world."-- "Ms. Magazine"

"Inspired and Outraged is a stirring and instructive account of a life dedicated to improving women's health as a feminist OB/GYN. Dr. R's fascinating story is rich with chutzpah, daring, and a deep and overarching love for humanity."--Amy Agigian, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Sociology and Criminal Justice, and Founding Director, Center for Women's Health and Human Rights, Suffolk University

"A terrific, compelling story showing a feminist OB-GYN creating the care I wish I had. The only memoir that ever made me want to write my own!"--Roslyn Feldberg, former Assistant Professor of Sociology, Boston University, Fellow, Murray Center, Radcliffe College, and Associate Director of Labor, Massachusetts Nurses Association

"Alice Rothchild's memoir in verse is an embodied, poignant romp through second wave feminism's struggle to remake the medical profession's approach to women's bodies. Enraging as it should be, readers learn not only to what extent condescension (and worse) reigned, but how it felt to try to fix it. Inspired and Outraged is poetry sparkling with purpose."--Erin Matson, co-founder, president, and CEO of Reproaction, advancing reproductive justice

"The extraordinary Alice Rothchild has done it again: made us understand intellectually and emotionally her very American Jewish woman's journey into an adulthood of passion, justice, and sensitivity. Written in free form poetry, this very accessible and powerful memoir of her coming of age into feminism, medicine, and justice should be read by everyone. It will help you make sense of our world as it moves you to tears."

"This remarkable memoir depicts so eloquently the many challenges facing women going into medicine both back in the 1970s as well as more recently. It will surely inspire both young and old to speak truth to power as we seek to preserve our fragile democratic institutions."--Judy Norsigian and Jane Pincus, cofounders of Our Bodies Ourselves

About the Author

Alice Rothchild is a physician, author, and filmmaker who loves storytelling that pushes boundaries and engages us in unexpected conversations. She practiced ob-gyn for almost 40 years and served as Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harvard Medical School. She received Boston Magazine's Best of Boston's Women Doctors Award, was named in Feminists Who Changed America 1963-1975, had her portrait painted for Robert Shetterly's Americans Who Tell the Truth project, and was named a Peace Pioneer by the American Jewish Peace Archive.