In Other Words: Enriching Portland's Feminist Communities

In Other Words is a non-profit feminist community center in Portland, Oregon. Its storefront on Killingsworth Street serves as a bookstore, lending library, and affordable event venue. In Other Words' mission is to support, enrich, and empower the feminist community through art, literature, educational, and cultural events.

Founded in 1993 by Portland State University professor Johanna Brenner and women's health advocates Kathryn Tetrick and Catherine Sameh, In Other Words was created in response to the closing of A Woman's Place, Portland's only feminist bookstore. When In Other Words first opened, there were more than 200 feminist bookstores in the country. Today, there are less than 30.

As Portland's feminist communities underwent social, demographic, and cultural changes, In Other Words identified new needs and interests that prompted its expansion to become a feminist community center. In Other Words is currently the only feminist bookstore in the US that also functions as a non-profit organization.