One of LitHub’s “75 Nonfiction Books You Should Read This Summer.”

“Our reproductive freedom is at stake, and Kolbert & Kay’s pressing, informative, and engaging book is leading the charge in the right direction"
- Gloria Steinem

  • “A knowledgeable, essential reframing of an incendiary issue based on common sense, historical fact, and simple decency.”

    — Kirkus Starred Review

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  • “[Kolbert and Kay] make a powerful case for rethinking the legal and political strategies…This impassioned and well-argued rallying cry rings loud and clear."

    — Publisher’s Weekly

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  • "I’ve been waiting for the handbook on reproductive rights and THIS IS IT."

    — Tess Holliday

"[A] passionate, informative debut." — Booklist

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Ms. Magazine, Summer 2021

“Controlling Women… aims to revive robust discussion of reproductive rights – and not a moment too soon – by making it clear just how much is at stake in whether abortion remains legal.”

“The heart of this book is the detailed menu of legal and policy changes that Kolbert and Kay propose to help secure women’s reproductive rights in a world without Roe…Controlling Women seeks to motivate the supermajority of Americans who support Roe to appreciate the imminent threat…and, more important, to get them actively involved in restoring universal access….The road map that Kolbert and Kay provide is one that all of us must follow—with urgency. ”Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”

  • “Kathryn Kolbert and Julie F. Kay, unparalleled experts, have written a rich, smart, and engaging book about why reproductive freedom is the crux of women's rights and equality. It's essential reading for anyone concerned with the future of democracy.”

    — Soraya Chemaly, author of Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger

  • “Controlling Women is a remarkably thorough account of the history of the legal fight for abortion rights in the United States and sets the stage for the work that still must be done to ensure that the broad spectrum of reproductive rights are a reality for all. Kolbert and Kay have added a vital resource to the pantheon.”

    — Nancy Northup, President and CEO, Center for Reproductive Rights

  • “[Controlling Women] could not come at a more timely moment. A great book.”

    — Leta Hong Fincher, author of Betraying Big Brother and Leftover Women

“The story feels both old and new. The wins, the backlash—it’s exhausting. How many times do women have to shout their abortions? How many times do women have to demand to have a voice about our own skin?”

“But while Kay and Kolbert provide a necessary and urgent primer on the history of reproductive rights in America, they don’t just end the story here in this moment, where reproductive rights are under attack like never before, they push the conversation forward. Instead of making their mission smaller, they are expanding the vision of reproductive justice to include 'healthcare for all,' better sex ed, expanding access to birth control, reducing sexual abuse, violence, and harassment, and reducing maternal deaths.”

— Liz Lynz, author of Belabored

A Newsday “Summer Beach Read”

 “For anyone wanting to learn more about abortion access and the hidden hurdles, personal stories and [the] complete history of the fight for reproductive justice, Controlling Women is a must-read. Regardless of your knowledge of the topic, every feminist can learn more. Kolbert and Kay share their experiences since entering the reproductive justice fight from the legal point of view and provide an in-depth history of abortion restrictions with resources and narratives of abortion seekers….Controlling Women carefully explains the landscape of abortion access in America while keeping readers informed and encouraged to fight for better options. Pre-dating Roe v. Wade all the way to the modern age, Controlling Women provides a comprehensive look at what has changed but more so, what we are still waiting on.”

Sam Stroozas, ‘Controlling Women’ Chronicles The History of Abortion and Hope For The Future, Rebellious Magazine