One important manifestation of the contemporary women's movement was the creation of feminist bookstores--women-owned and operated space where women could shop for books and albums relating to and produced by women -- and meet other feminists and activists, learn about local feminist writers, and raise consciousnesses. As you check out some of the bookstores we list here, you will notice that most are "the remaining" or "the only" feminist bookstore in a particular state.

This list is not comprehensive; please add links to feminist bookstores in your area. And if you have comments about the store or want to discuss feminist bookstores in general, please feel free to do so.

Amazon Bookstore (Minneapolis, MN)

Amazon is the oldest feminist bookstore in the United States. Founded in 1970 and going strong, Amazon is a woman-owned cooperative that features books, videos, music, and more. Click here to visit the store's website.

 Bloodroot (Bridgeport, CT)

Celebrating 30 years as a feminist bookstore and vegetarian restaurant, Bloodroot is Connecticut's only feminist bookstore. Click hereto visit the website, where you can peruse the menu, check out favorite recipes, and see who will be signing books in the coming months.

Bluestockings (New York, NY)

Billing itself as a "radical bookstore, fair trade cafe, and activist center in the Lower East Side of Manhattan," Bluestockings offers books, videos, music, and vegan fare. Check out what's on tap by clicking here.

BookWoman (Austin, TX)

BookWoman offers Austin-area feminists an alternative space for speakers, shopping, and more. Click here to see the latest book in the BookGoddess Reading Group, the spotlighted new children's books, and the growing list of featured Austin women writers.

Charis Books & More (Atlanta, GA)

Charis Books bills itself as "the South's oldest Independent Feminist Bookstore." Located in Atlanta's Virginia Highlands neighborhood and immortalized in Amanda Gable's chapter in John Howard's 1997 edited collection, Carryin' On in the Lesbian and Gay South , you can visit the homepage of Charis Books & More by clicking here.

Herland Sisters (Oklahoma City, OK)

Herland Sister Resources is "an all-volunteer, non-profit, womanist organization that has provided community, cultural and musical events and services in Oklahoma since 1984" (from the website). More than a bookstore, Herland Sisters offers a lending library, a legal defense fund, online discussion groups, and more -- all of which you can read about in the online newsletter. Click here to access the website.  

People Called Women (Toledo, OH)

People Called Women is not Ohio's first feminist bookstore but it is the only remaining feminist bookstore in the state. Under the ownership of Gina Mercurio and with the assistance of "the Collective" of staff workers, it opened its doors in December 1993. For a write up of PCW, click here.

Wild Iris Books (Gainesville, FL)

Home to some of the most inspirational feminist activism, Gainesville, Florida also boasts Wild Iris Books, the only feminist bookstore in Florida. To visit the online store -- where, among other things, you can get directions to the physical store -- click here.