Women in Focus - A podcast from British Naturism

Helen talks to Prof. Annebella Pollen - part 2

Part two: Professor Annebella Pollen reveals how women shaped naturism from the 1920s — as pioneers, photographers, and feminist thinkers. She traces the same debates about women's participation and body diversity across a century of naturist history.

In part two, Helen continues her conversation with Professor Annebella Pollen from the University of Brighton, author of Nudism in a Cold Climate. Pollen explores why women have always been central to naturism despite being present in smaller numbers. She speaks about Maurice Parmelee's radical 1929 claim that "nudism is a powerful aid to feminism" and "the logical continuation of the women's movement," showing how early advocates saw naturism as breaking down artificial social barriers. Pollen traces women's roles as not just models but photographers, editors, club co-owners, and pioneering thinkers who created platforms for future generations. The conversation examines how the same issues — women's participation, diversity, body representation — have persisted across a century from the 1920s to today.

And if you are interested in our BN Ladies Only holiday, we will be heading to Vritomartis in Crete for a week from the 1st June. Email Helen at Women in Focus for details.

Links for Prof. Annebella Pollen:

University of Brighton: research.brighton.ac.uk/en/persons/annebella-pollen
Instagram: instagram.com/annebella_pollen
Book - "Nudism in a Cold Climate": atelier-editions.com/products/nudism-in-a-cold-climate
Paper - "Utopian Bodies and Anti-fashion Futures: The Dress Theories and Practices of English Interwar Nudists": muse.jhu.edu/pub/2/article/686648/pdf
Paper - "Indignities Imposed by Arbitrary Adult Rule?": muse.jhu.edu/pub/50/article/933826/pdf
Siobhan Hazzan: www.cnfellowship.org
Women In Naturism website: womeninnaturism.uk
British Naturism Events: bn.org.uk/events-home
Join British Naturism: bn.org.uk/membershipinfo

Contact Women in Focus: womeninfocus@bn.org.uk