The 1970s were a time of seismic changes in Australian politics, sparking far-reaching cultural and social transformation. It was a decade of revolutions where feminists sought to challenge long-held ideas about gender and sexuality. During this time, the contraceptive pill was made widely available, sexuality was both celebrated and flaunted, and campaigns to decriminalise abortion and homosexuality emerged across the country.

Everyday Revolutions: Remaking Gender, Sexuality and Culture in 1970s Australia, edited by Michelle Arrow and Angela Woollacott, explores the repercussions of this decade that revolutionised the lives of Australian men and women. The volume contains a diverse and rich collection of essays, including the rise of women’s liberation and gay and lesbian movements.

These repercussions have extended to the 21st century where gender and sexuality continue to be topics of wide debate. Feminists continue to challenge ‘man-made’ norms and recover lost histories of female achievement and cultural endeavour.

This book is a welcome reorientation of contemporary Australian historical scholarship, and tells an important story about the 1970s. It features rich imagery and documentation of the movement, such as feminist artworks and posters created by feminist presses.

Contributing author Zora Simic explores Helen Garner’s book Monkey Grip from a feminist perspective.

The book focuses on both the activist and legislative achievements of these movements and their profound social and cultural impacts.