Nestled on the corner of NE Killingsworth and Williams (8 NE Killingsworth St) is an inconspicuous bookstore that, upon entrance, welcomes you with a conspicuous cause. In Other Words is more than a bookstore – it’s a resource center for women (and curious men), offering a diversity of products and services to nourish the feminist mind and heart. It’s a space that fosters creativity, self and world exploration, and a sense of community.
Founded in 1993 by a group of PSU women who wanted to fill the void left by the closing of a previously existing bookstore called The Woman’s Place, In Other Words remains the only surviving non-profit feminist bookstore in the United States. As part of the Women’s Community Education Project, the store serves to showcase women’s writing and leadership.
“It’s important to have a space for women, as well as a safe place for transgendered individuals and queers,” said Rebecca Luxenberg, store manager. “In Other Words is important because of the literature it can expose to people, especially that which some bookstores may not think it necessary to carry.”
The shelves are adorned with a unique array of literature that focuses on women and gender studies, which includes non-sexist children’s books and topics such as radical feminism and queer politics. Many local authors are featured by the store – Ariel Gore, Nicole Georges, Ursula Le Guin, and Ro Deezy Hart, to name a few. Portland-based Bitch Magazine and Zines by local writers, such as Mo Bowstern, are also available.
Books aren’t the only thing that In Other Words uses to create this safe space. The store’s philosophy of community is also carried out in the other products it sells and in the events that it hosts. It supports Portland’s community of local women artists by selling their crafts, which range from handmade wallets to jewelry, and a community of healthy women by providing eco-friendly menstrual products. In addition, it serves as a venue for a variety of community events, from weekly discussion groups to book readings and from Spoken Mic nights to workshops on childbirth. The store is also in the process of building a resource center, which will house public computer access and free Wifi, along with a community board for housing, health and social networking. (In fact, they are seeking in-kind donations for their resource center; if you would like to contribute, check out their Wish List.)
Not only does this store support community, but it quite literally is supported by the community. Aside from a couple of paid staff members, In Other Words is run entirely by volunteers. Of course, they are constantly seeking to expand this community of volunteers, so if you would like to become a part of it, email them at info@inotherwords.org.
To the men in the audience – In Other Words is not a “women only” space (the pure definition of feminism, after all, is equality of the sexes; thus it does not exclude men). According to Rebecca, men visit the store quite often and have a mixture of reactions. “Some come in and tell us ‘This place rocks!’, while others ask if they’re allowed to be in here,” she said.
No doubt, In Other Words is a community bookstore that is both a bookstore and a community. It’s a space for diverse voices to speak and be heard – a choir of voices that is singing for liberation, equality and unity. How refreshing to think that you’re not simply buying stuff when you shop there, but rather you’re supporting that choir of voices, providing them with the accompaniment, if you will, that will enable and empower their songs.
Dare I say it? Girl Power!