Lorraine Rothman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lorraine Rothman
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| Born |
Evelyn Lorraine Fleishman
January 12, 1932 |
| Died | September 25, 2007 (aged 75) |
| Alma mater | California State University, Los Angeles |
Lorraine Rothman (January 12, 1932 – September 25, 2007) was an important leader. She helped start a movement called the feminist Self-Help Clinic. This movement helped women learn more about their own bodies.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Lorraine Rothman was born Evelyn Lorraine Fleishman. She was born in San Francisco, California in 1932. Her family followed traditional Jewish customs. She went to Hebrew school when she was young.
While working full-time, she also went to college. She studied at Los Angeles City College. Then she went to California State University Los Angeles. In 1954, she earned a degree. She also got a special paper to become a teacher.
After marrying Al Rothman in 1954, she moved to Baltimore. She taught in public schools there. In 1964, she moved back to California with her family. She continued teaching in public schools.
Becoming a Social Activist
In 1968, Lorraine Rothman joined a local group. This group was about women's liberation. It met at California State University Fullerton. Soon after, she helped create a local chapter. This was for the National Organization for Women (NOW). It was in Orange County.
Her work with Carol Downer began in 1971. She went to a meeting Carol organized. They talked about women's health choices. In 1972, Lorraine and Carol started something new. They opened the first Feminist Women's Health Center (FWHC). It was in Los Angeles. Later, Lorraine helped open a second center. This one was in Santa Ana, California.
At these centers, women learned about their bodies. They felt safe and supported. Lorraine wanted women to feel sure about the programs. She also wanted them to know the programs were honest. The centers taught women about health tests. They also had a program to help patients.
Many women at this time wanted more equality. They also wanted their voices to be heard. These health centers helped women greatly. Because of her work, many people admired Lorraine. There are memorials that honor her important work.
Spreading Health Knowledge
For the next twenty years, Lorraine Rothman traveled a lot. She shared the idea of Self-Help Clinics. She visited women's groups in many places. She went to groups both inside and outside the United States.
Besides managing the centers, Lorraine wrote guides. These guides taught women about health. In 1999, she wrote a book with Marcia Wexler. It was called "Menopause Myths and Facts." The book talked about hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Lorraine believed that HRT was not truly replacing hormones. She said our bodies make enough hormones naturally. She also said menopause is not a disease.
Later Life and Legacy
Lorraine Rothman passed away on September 25, 2007. She died from bladder cancer in Fullerton, California.
Lorraine Rothman wanted more women to learn about their bodies. She wanted them to understand their own health. She also wanted them to know they had control over their bodies. A book called Into Our Own Hands talks about her work. It says Lorraine created a special tool. It helped women manage their monthly periods.
Because Lorraine opened the Los Angeles Feminist Women's Health Center, women became more interested. They wanted to learn about their bodies. They also learned about their own self-worth.
