Intimate wars : the life and times of the woman who brought abortion from the back alley to the board room

Merle Hoffman's life story is riveting. A former classical pianist, a self-made millionaire, and a feminist who found her life's work providing abortions, she has been a fearless crusader for women's right to choose. Over the years, Hoffman has used her entrepreneurial spirit to build one of the most comprehensive women's medical centers in the country. In 1971 (two years before the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision to legalize abortion nationally), Hoffman founded Choices, an abortion clinic in New York. As a medical provider, she pioneered "patient power," encouraging women to participate in their own health care decisions. And going against even her own expectations for her life after fifty, she adopted a child and writes about her experience as a mother. Whether addressing the murder of abortion providers like Dr. George Tiller or challenging women to understand their own power over their bodies and the language used to wield such power, Merle Hoffman has been on the front lines of the feminist movement, a fierce warrior in the battle for choice. Merle Hoffman is an award-winning journalist, activist, and women's health care pioneer. In 1971, she founded Choices, one of the first ambulatory abortion centers, which has become one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive women's medical facilities in the United States. She is also the publisher of On the Issues, an online feminist magazine. A “searingly honest debut memoir” from an activist and award-winning journalist who made a woman's right to choose her life's work (Kirkus Reviews). Merle Hoffman had built a life as a classical pianist and self-made millionaire before her passion for the equality and freedom of girls and women drew her to a bigger cause: protecting a woman's right to have a safe and legal abortion. Hoffman became an expert in women's reproductive healthcare and used her entrepreneurial spirit to build one of the most comprehensive women's medical centers in the country. In 1971, two years before the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision made abortion legal throughout the US, Hoffman founded the New York abortion clinic Choices. As a medical provider, she pioneered “patient power,” encouraging women to participate in their own health care decisions. Through her singular journey, Hoffman had many loves and even adopted a daughter from Russia, but never wavered in her commitment to fighting on the front lines of the feminist movement. “From her decision to adopt a child to her love affairs, this is the story of one woman's quest to live fully. Opinionated, fierce, bold and brash, Intimate Wars chronicles Hoffman's efforts to improve women's lives and influence history. She deserves our gratitude.” —Truthout "As a girl, Merle Hoffman knew she was destined for greatness--she just didn't know which stage she would act upon. Coming of age amidst the cries for reproductive freedom and the rise of modern feminism, Hoffman saw her chance to become a pioneer in an exciting new field: she would run one of the first abortion clinics in New York City. Hoffman went on to become one of the fiercest voices in the pro-choice movement, leading rallies in Bryant Park and marches down Fifth Avenue, debating Jerry Falwell on national television, and hosting a groundbreaking TV series called On the Issues. Throughout her years of campaigning, Hoffman's commitment to creating a place of safety and comfort for the tens of thousands of patients who have relied upon her clinic, CHOICES Women's Medical center, has made her a thorn in the side of the pro-life movement and an inspiration to her fellow feminists. Intimate Wars is the story of a warrior who never hesitated to enter battle and risk her life for the fundamental right for women to govern their own bodies"-- Provided by publisher Merle Hoffman's life story is riveting. A former classical pianist, a self-made millionaire, and a feminist who found her life's work providing abortions, she has been a fearless crusader for women's right to choose.Over the years, Hoffman has used her entrepreneurial spirit to build one of the country's most comprehensive women's medical centres. In 1971 (two years before the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision to legalize abortion nationally), Hoffman founded Choices, an abortion clinic in New York. As a medical provider, she pioneered "patient power," encouraging women to participate in their own health care decisions. And going against even her own expectations for her life after fifty, she adopted a child and writes about her experience as a mother.Whether addressing the murder of abortion providers like Dr. George Tiller or challenging women to understand their own power over their bodies and the language used to wield such power, Merle Hoffman has been on the front lines of the feminist movement, a fierce warrior in the battle for choice.