About the Author
Elisabeth Squires is a freelance writer living in Kingston, Washington. An internationally renowned breast expert, she has appeared on Good Morning America, with Diane Sawyer, The Tyra Banks Show, NPR and written for the Sunday London Times. Proud owner of the "Boob Lady" moniker, she's on a mission to help women appreciate their breasts. Her website is an Editor's Choice Link on Bust Magazine's Girl Wide Web, and offers a wealth of information and support for women at every stage of their lives. Her book, bOObs: a Guide to Your Girls was published in 2007, receiving a starred review from The Library Journal and was named one of the Journal's 2007 Best Consumer Health Books.
The Birth of bOObs
Until I bared them on paper in a creative writing class, I didn't know much about breasts. Having children, I knew my breasts had changed since puberty. But I'd never sat down and wrote about all the various ways they had "morphed," including their most recent change: a breast lift. I shared my "mammoir" with some girlfriends and discovered that they, too, had stories to tell about their breasts. Some loved their breasts, some felt awkward with theirs, and others had trouble adjusting to their size or shape. All these tales were funny, thoughtful and somehow familiar. Initially envisioning an anthology of "mammoirs," I sent questionnaires to all my breast friends. And as women gave me answers, they also asked questions. I found women live their lives with breasts in many different ways, and most do so with little guidance. That's how bOObs: A Guide to Your Girls was born.
Since then I've interviewed bra fitters, manufacturers, lingerie buyers, fitness experts, lactation consultants, plastic surgeons, oncologists, and other physicians about breasts. I continue to gather as much information as I can; reading books, on-line women's forums, and newspaper and magazine articles. I've studied the history of the bra, and whether there's any medical reason to wear one, nudity and breastfeeding laws around the world, and breast cancer issues and causes. I learned breasts have been sexualized, politicized, and even vilified throughout history. I've seen hundreds of photos of real women's breasts (not just lingerie models), from pregnant, to post-mastectomy, to post-reconstructive surgery patients. I never imagined a woman's life could be so thoroughly changed and rearranged by one part of her anatomy. To join in this dialogue, please answer my questionnaire, submit your own mammoir, or contact me at .
