The term “bluestocking” originated as a derogatory nickname for a predominantly female literary club of the 18th century, a time when women were not encouraged to read. In 1999, Bluestockings bookstore on the Lower East Side was owned by women and operated as one of New York City’s feminist literary shops. Shortly thereafter the store went out of business. In 2003, Bluestockings Fair Trade Organic Activist Resource Center re-opened under new ownership and expanded to include all types of feminism for different races, genders, and creeds.

Specializing in politics and sex, Bluestockings does not fit easily into pre-fabricated categories. As a bookstore this Lower East Side social justice project is owned and operated as a democratic collective. That is to say, all 40 shop employees decide on the educational courses provided, books featured, and films shown, which helps to continually shape Bluestockings. If you would like to make a recommendation, stop in and fill out a suggestions sheet, and it does not have to be a bestseller since most of the books in stock are not mainstream finds.

Always interrogating the meaning of feminism, Bluestockings goes beyond the framing of gender to be a resource center for people striving to change the world and also learn about themselves. In the newly expanded space – which seats about 80 people – topics cover everything from sex, political theory and global justice to activist strategies, women’s studies, ecology and to animal rights. There is also a selection of progressive children’s books. Bluestockings’ regional sections examine the topics of immigrant rights, sex, body image, violence against women and reproductive rights according to specific locations of the world.

Curious about the types of books you can find? Take a look at some of these popular reads: Manifesta by Jennifer Baumgardner & Amy Richards; How The Pro-Choice Movement Saved America, Freedom, Politics, and The War on Sex by Christina Page; A People’s History of the United States, 1492 – Present by Howard Zinn; The Teenage Liberation Hand by Grace Llwellyn; and children’s book Skin Again by Bell Hooks.

If you are looking for a bookstore that challenges and forces you to scrutinize your own identity visit Bluestockings. As one of less than 30 feminist bookstores in the U.S. this project puts a spotlight on people’s struggles and attempts to offer progressive solutions. Visitors can also find tee shirts ranging from $12 - $18 with catchy political phrases, radical spoken word CDs and DVDs, and light refreshments. +