Florence Schechter Explained
Florence Schechter |
Nationality: | British |
Education: | Biochemistry BSc, 2014 |
Alma Mater: | University of Birmingham |
Occupation: | Museum Director, Author, Public Speaker |
Employer: | Vagina Museum |
Website: | www.floschechter.com |
Florence Schechter is the founder of the Vagina Museum.[1] She is also a consultant, science communicator, comedian and public speaker.[2] Her debut book, "V: An Empowering Celebration of the Vulva and Vagina", was published by Penguin Random House in March 2023.[3]
Early life and education
Schechter graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2014 with a BSc in Biochemistry.[4]
Vagina Museum
In 2017, Schechter founded the Vagina Museum[5] after discovering that there was a penis museum in Iceland, but no vagina equivalent anywhere in the world.[6] She is the Vagina Museum's current Director. The first ever fundraising event was held at Unit 5 Gallery, London in May 2017.[7] The first pop up exhibition was held in August 2017 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The following year, it toured an exhibition around the UK called "Is Your Vagina Normal?".[8]
The Vagina Museum opened its first semi-permanent location in Camden Market with the inaugural exhibition "Muff Busters: Vagina Myths And How To Fight Them"[9] opening on 16 November 2019.[10] [11] To open the museum, a fundraising campaign was held which raised almost £50,000.[12] In 2021, the Vagina Museum closed its doors in Camden Market after the landlords refused to renew the lease in their unit.[13] [14] [15] The Vagina Museum reopened in its second location in March 2022[16] [17] in ENTER, a venue located in Bethnal Green.[18]
The museum is dedicated to being trans-inclusive.[19]
Schechter has spoken at events and lectured around the UK about her work with the Vagina Museum, including the Royal Institution,[20] British Science Festival,[21] Conway Hall,[22] and National Student Pride.
Writing
On 11 October 2022, it was announced that Penguin would be publishing Schechter's debut book V: An Empowering Celebration of the Vulva and Vagina.[23] The book was published in March 2023. The book is suitable for ages 14+.
Schechter is currently signed with United Agents.[24]
She has also written articles for a number of publications including DIVA Magazine,[25] Metro,[26] and The Huffington Post.[27]
Comedy
Schechter has been performing comedy since 2016, mostly based around science and biology.[28] She performed her debut hour "Queer By Nature" at Vaults Festival in 2019,[29] all about same sex sexual behaviour in animals.[30]
Honours and awards
Schechter came highly commended in the Women of the Future Awards in 2017.[31] In 2019, she won Pioneer of the Year in the Sexual Freedom Awards.[32] In 2020, she was nominated for the Rising Star of the Year Award with DIVA Magazine.[33] In 2023, she came highly commended in the Young Entrepreneur Category at the DIVA awards.[34]
Personal life
Schechter identifies as bisexual.[35]
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: People . 2022-10-11 . Vagina Museum . en-US.
- Web site: Inside the World's First Museum Dedicated to the Vagina . 2022-10-25 . Time . en.
- Web site: Florence Schechter . 2022-10-11 . www.penguin.co.uk . en.
- Web site: Schechter, Florence . 2022-10-11 . Johnson & Alcock . en-GB.
- Web site: 2017-03-29 . Vaginas deserve their own museum according to this woman . 2022-10-11 . The Independent . en.
- Web site: Meet Florence Schechter, founder of Vagina Museum . 2022-10-11 . Tatty Devine . en.
- Web site: Spencer . Hayley . 2017-04-25 . This woman is crowd-funding to create the world's first vagina museum . 2022-10-11 . Stylist . en.
- Web site: Amsen . Eva . The World's First Vagina Museum Encourages Conversation Around Gynecological Health . 2022-10-11 . Forbes . en.
- Web site: Luckhurst . Phoebe . 2019-11-12 . Why the world needs its first bricks-and-mortar Vagina Museum . 2022-10-11 . Evening Standard . en.
- Web site: Wadia . Zoe Paskett, Helena . 2019-11-16 . Everything you need to know about the Vagina Museum . 2022-10-11 . Evening Standard . en.
- Web site: World's First Vagina Museum Tackles FGM, Sexual Health, and More . 2022-10-11 . Global Citizen . es.
- News: 2019-09-19 . Vagina museum in London aims to 'banish shame' . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-10-25.
- Web site: Patterson . Sally . 2022-02-23 . Opening: Vagina Museum moves to Bethnal Green . 2022-10-11 . Hampstead Highgate Express . en-UK.
- Web site: The World’s Only Vagina Museum Is Closing Its Doors . 2022-10-11 . www.vice.com . en.
- Web site: 'Outpouring of support' as Vagina Museum seeks new home . 2022-10-11 . Museums Association . en-US.
- Web site: Vagina Museum finds new home after six month search . 2022-10-11 . www.civilsociety.co.uk.
- Web site: London’s Vagina Museum set to reopen its doors after six months . 2022-10-11 . uk.news.yahoo.com . en-GB.
- Web site: ENTER . Image . ENTER . the new location for The Vagina Museum © . 2022-02-21 . Vagina Museum reveals new ‘triple size’ location and reopening date . 2022-10-11 . Museums + Heritage Advisor . en-GB.
- Web site: Wakefield . Lily . 2022-03-19 . Founder of world's first Vagina Museum explains why it's for everyone . 2022-10-11 . PinkNews .
- Web site: Valentine's Day vaginas Royal Institution . 2022-10-11 . www.rigb.org . en.
- Web site: 2018-09-10 . Dispelling Five Myths About 'Normal' Vaginas . 2022-10-25 . HuffPost UK . en.
- Web site: Thinking on Sunday: Why the World Needs A Vagina Museum . 2022-10-11 . Conway Hall . en-GB.
- Web site: Penguin to publish 'ground-breaking' book by Vagina Museum creator Schechter . 2022-10-11 . The Bookseller . En.
- Web site: Florence Schechter United Agents . 2023-05-16 . www.unitedagents.co.uk.
- Web site: EDITOR . 2023-03-01 . This week’s podDIVA is a March issue debrief . 2023-05-16 . diva-magazine.com . en-GB.
- Web site: Schechter . Florence . 2020-01-30 . I'm not surprised women turn to The Goop Lab for advice - it could be dangerous . 2023-05-16 . Metro . en.
- Web site: 2018-09-10 . Dispelling Five Myths About 'Normal' Vaginas . 2023-05-16 . HuffPost UK . en.
- Web site: Steve_X . 2016-06-14 . SCIENCE SHOWOFF Croydon Comedy Festival, June 23rd . 2022-10-25 . Science Showoff . en.
- Web site: Team . Editorial . 2019-02-25 . REVIEW: Queer By Nature at VAULT Festival . 2022-10-25 . diva-magazine.com . en-GB.
- Web site: Book Queer By Nature Tickets Online - Comedy Tickets - Seating plan, Show times, Reviews, Cast & Info - London Theatre . 2022-10-25 . Stagedoor . en-gb.
- Web site: Florence Schechter Author . 2022-10-11 . Chemistry World . en.
- Web site: 2019 Finalists . 2022-10-11 . Sexual Freedom Awards . en-US.
- Founder of the world's first vagina museum @floschechter is on the shortlist for the #DIVAAwards20 Rising Star of the Year Award! . 1231188147180130312 . 2022-10-11. DIVAmagazine.
- Web site: SHORTLIST 2023 . 2023-05-16 . Diva Awards 2023 . en.
- Web site: EDITOR . 2019-11-18 . What’s it like to be… Director of the world’s first vagina museum? . 2022-10-11 . diva-magazine.com . en-GB.