Autoimmunity and the Good Girls

""Sara Hirsh Bordo combines deeply suffered but ultimately triumphant personal history with the irrefutable science of mind-body unity to show that disease can arise from being too good for one’s own good and be overcome by reclaiming power and agency. This illuminating volume will liberate many women from self-suppression and its frequent consequence, physical illness."" — Gabor Maté M.D., New York Times bestselling author of The Myth of Normal and When The Body Says No: Exploring the Stress-Disease Connection ""Autoimmunity and the Good Girls is a deeply validating exploration of how being raised to be “good” can quietly shape a woman’s wellbeing. With data-driven research and gripping stories from her own life, Sara Hirsh Bordo shows how self-silencing and chronic caregiving take a tremendous toll on women’s bodies. She guides us toward reclaiming ourselves as part of healing both body and soul—powerfully taking back what we need to thrive. As a woman, and a daughter with my own story of autoimmune challenges, I recognized myself in these pages. I can’t think of anything more powerful than being seen and validated in the struggles of womanhood and family life."" — Dr. Allison M. Alford, communication scholar and author of Good Daughtering ""Sara Hirsh Bordo’s Autoimmunity and the Good Girls is the kind of support every woman deserves, the kind that doesn’t talk down to you or try to fix you, it reminds you that you’re not broken. It’s deeply human, and full of real tools you can use right away. If you’ve been searching for clarity, or a way forward, you’re going to feel so grateful you found it."" — Tamsen Fadal, New York Times bestselling author of How to Menopause & host of The Tamsen Show ""Sara's an Architect of Change."" — Maria Shriver, New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist ""Sara Hirsh Bordo’s Autoimmunity and the Good Girls is a brave and necessary work. It is a book about illness, yes—but more importantly, it’s a book about voice. About the cost of silence. . . Sara weaves together science, soul, and social commentary with clarity that is both urgent and compassionate. Her voice is one that demands to be heard—not just for her own healing, but for the millions of others who stories remain untold."" — Dr. Richard Carmona MD,MPH, FACS, 17th Surgeon General of the United States, excerpted from the foreword ""The insights Sara brings from her personal experience enrich a unique voice that beautifully combines wellness and empowerment. Her personal storytelling in Autoimmunity and the Good Girls will broadcast a message certain to resonate and inspire women everywhere."" — Julie F. Kay, author of Controlling Women: What We Must Do Now to Save Reproductive Freedom ""Not only is Sara a beloved leader in our shared women and girls space, but her quality of writing is so accessible and beyond inspiring. I can’t wait for the I Am That Girl community to awaken to new heights within themselves because of what Sara is presenting in Autoimmunity and the Good Girls."" — Alexis Jones, Founder of global I AM THAT GIRL movement, author of I Am That Girl and Joy Hunter ""As Sara Hirsh Bordo makes clear in this riveting personal account, 'empowerment' and 'making a difference' can become their own kind of traps when not fueled by a holistic awareness, aligned with our authentic intuitions and deepest self— those inner GPS signals that our accomplishment-driven society is so expert at scrambling, especially in women. An inspiring yet sobering read, this book is full of wisdom that is both clear-eyed and hard-earned."" — Daniel Maté, New York Times bestselling co-author of The Myth of Normal ""A majority of us walk through life holding our own flashlight. We do everything we can to make sure our light is bright and shining in the best way possible. When it comes to Sara, she has selflessly held the flashlight for women and girls like me, dedicating herself to light the way for others. Her wisdom, compassion, and courage is the guiding light we all need."" — Lizzie Velasquez, award-winning global anti-bullying activist and influencer, and author of Dare to Be Kind ""Sara has the unique ability to empower others. I have seen it time and time again through her films and writing. She brings creativity and a deep understanding to every subject that is rare and compelling—giving us an irresistible call to action to make the world a better place."" — Gay Gaddis, T3 Think Tank Founder and bestselling author of Cowgirl Power ""Autoimmunity and the Good Girls is not just a study and a book—it's a catalyst for change, inspiring healthcare professionals, policymakers, and society to reevaluate existing paradigms surrounding women's health and autoimmune disorders. Sara's unwavering commitment to elevating marginalized voices and unraveling the myths surrounding chronic illness makes her study an indispensable resource for anyone passionate about advancing women's health and wellness. Sara’s work is not just a triumph—it's a call to action, inviting us all to listen, learn, and advocate for a more equitable and compassionate healthcare landscape."" — Dr. Kimberlee Sullivan, PT, DPT, WCS, BCB-PMD ""Insanely good. Think The Body Keeps The Score but for the very first time written by, for, and about women. Sara Hirsh Bordo has written a book that most of us will carry like a bible. For all the women who have felt unseen, dismissed and unwell, this work gives us a glimpse into the urgent need we all have not just to understand ourselves, but how urgently we must begin to allow ourselves to have a real reason to own our power, our traumas, and in turn, our wellness.” — Dr. Tracy Shevell, High-Risk OB/GYN and Women’s Health Advocate I recognize myself and every woman in the pages of Sara’s book as she makes a compelling case that closing the women’s health gap must go beyond biological understanding into the society factors of being a girl. This book has the power to change the way we research women’s health and autoimmune conditions – an area in which 80% of patients are women – to truly advance women’s health outcomes. — Kathryn Godburn Schubert, President & CEO of the Society for Women's Health Research