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Sex education, entrepreneurship in the field of sexuality, author of books like 'The Playbook for Women About Sex', videography, cohousing advocacy, philanthropy, and inventor of sexuality-related products.
Key Dates and Places
Born Date: July 4, 1937.
Death Date: August 6, 2016.
Career
Past occupations: Sex educator, entrepreneur, author, videographer, cohousing enthusiast, philanthropist, inventor in the field of sexuality.
Previous Place of Work: Down There Press (Founder), Good Vibrations (Consultant and possible early affiliation).
Skills
Sex education, writing, publishing, entrepreneurship, videography, community building (cohousing), invention, philanthropy.
Personality
Life Philosophy: Likely aligned with sex-positivity, empowerment, and promoting sexual health and well-being.
Residence and Financial Status
Residence: Likely resided in the San Francisco Bay Area, given her association with Down There Press and Good Vibrations.
Main Milestones
Birth in New York City
July 4, 1937
Joani Blank was born on Independence Day in New York City. While details of her early childhood are relatively sparse, this birth marks the beginning of a life that would be dedicated to challenging norms and promoting individual freedom, particularly in the realm of sexuality.
Early Involvement in the Sexual Revolution
1969
During the burgeoning sexual revolution, Joani became interested in exploring her sexuality and seeking information. Dissatisfied with the available resources, she realized the need for honest, non-judgmental materials. She began facilitating small group workshops to discuss sexuality and share experiences.
Founding Down There Press
1974
Recognizing the lack of accessible and positive sex education materials, Joani Blank founded Down There Press. This independent publishing house became a pioneering force in distributing books and resources that focused on sexual health, pleasure, and exploration. The press provided a platform for open and honest conversations about sexuality, challenging traditional taboos and misconceptions.
Publication of 'The Playbook for Women About Sex'
1975
Joani's most well-known work, 'The Playbook for Women About Sex,' was published. This book, written in a straightforward and accessible style, provided women with practical information about their bodies, sexual experiences, and relationships. It was a groundbreaking publication that empowered women to take control of their sexual health and pleasure. The Playbook normalized open conversations about sex among women.
Continued Authorship and Expansion of Down There Press
1980s-1990s
Joani continued to write and publish numerous other books through Down There Press, covering a wide range of topics related to sexuality, including masturbation, tantra, and sexual communication. The press expanded its catalog and reached a wider audience, becoming a trusted source of information for people of all genders and sexual orientations.
Focus on Videography and Documenting Sexuality
Late 1990s-2000s
Joani expanded her work into videography, creating educational videos that explored various aspects of sexuality. These videos provided visual resources and further contributed to her mission of normalizing and destigmatizing conversations about sex and pleasure. She sought to capture diverse experiences and perspectives, promoting inclusivity and understanding.
Advocacy for Cohousing
Late 2000s
In her later years, Joani became a strong advocate for cohousing communities. She saw cohousing as a way to foster connection, support, and a sense of belonging, believing it could contribute to overall well-being and quality of life. This demonstrates her broader commitment to creating supportive and empowering environments for individuals and communities.
Death
August 6, 2016
Joani Blank passed away, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the field of sex education and positive sexuality. Her work continues to inspire and empower individuals to embrace their sexuality in a healthy and fulfilling way. Down There Press continues to operate, carrying on her mission of providing accessible and informative resources.
Joani Blank
American sex educator, author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist (1937–2016)
Blank founded Down There Press, a publisher of sex-positive-related books, in 1975.[2] In 1977, she opened Good Vibrations, the second feminist sex toy business in the United States (the first having been Eve's Garden in New York City, which was founded by Dell Williams in 1974).[3][4][5] The idea to create Good Vibrations stemmed from her work with sex therapist Lonnie Barbach, in which the pair worked with women who had difficulty reaching orgasm.[6] Prior to her opening Good Vibrations, she was hired at the University of California, San Francisco to screen candidates who had difficulties achieving orgasm. This study influenced her business model for Good Vibrations.[7] Lynn Comella wrote that Blank turned "her small vibrator shop into a sexual resource center for anyone who might wander in. She felt that talking about sex should be as casual as talking about the weather; she also believed that sexual information was a birthright and that no one should be made to feel ashamed or embarrassed for wanting more pleasure in their life."[8]
Blank collaborated with photographer Honey Lee Cottrell on I Am My Lover, and Down There Press published it in 1978. In this book, she paired Cottrell's photographs of individual women with the subject's written reflections on masturbation and on learning to give themselves pleasure. It joined Our Bodies, Ourselves (1971) and Betty Dodson's Liberating Masturbation: A Meditation on Self Love[9] (1974) as second wave feminist books aiming to educate women about their bodies and empower them to have a positive sexual life.
Blank had one daughter, Amika, and three grandchildren. Blank lived in cohousing from 1992 until her death and served on the board of the Cohousing Association of the United States.[12] She spent many years in Doyle Street Cohousing in Emeryville, California, and co-founded her final home community, Swan's Market Cohousing in Oakland, California. Blank volunteered her time to social justice issues such as prison reform and economic equality.[13][14] She held a master's degree in public health education[2] and remained active in the field of sexuality.
Blank died of pancreatic cancer on August 6, 2016, less than two months after her diagnosis.[15]
The Playbook for Kids About Sex, Down There Press, 1978
The Playbook for Men About Sex, Down There Press, 1976
Good Vibrations: Being a Treatise on the Use of Machines in the Indolent Indulgence of Erotic Pleasure-Seeking Together with Important Hints on the Acquisition, Care, and Utilization of Said Machines and Much More about the Art and Science of Buzzing Off, Down There Press, 1976
The Playbook for Women About Sex, Down There Press, 1975
^Blank, Joani; Cottrell, Honey Lee; Corinne, Tee; Down There Press (January 1, 1978). I am my lover. Burlingame, Calif.: Down There Press. OCLC33394222.
