Kinsey Institute Mourns Passing of Therapist and Researcher, Dr. Leah Cahan Schafer

Dr. Leah Cahan Schaefer (1920-2013) was a pioneer in the study of women's sexuality and transgender health.

Dr. Schaefer's publications include her book, Women and Sex: Sexual Experiences and Reactions of a Group of Thirty Women as Told to a Female Psychotherapist (1973). This trade book was adapted from her dissertation at Columbia Teacher's College on female sexuality. (At right, click for larger image)

Dr. Schaefer served as president of HBIDGA (now known as the World Professional Assocation for Transgender Health) from 1991-1995, and was the first woman president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, 1978-1979.

In 2007, Dr. Schaefer entrusted the Kinsey Institute Library with her professional archives, including the archives of Dr. Harry Benjamin, another noted sex researcher with whom she worked for many years. Her donation to the Kinsey Institute Archives were featured in our 2007 newsletter.

The National Council on Family Relations website offers reminiscences of Dr. Schaefer by Nancy Gonzalez, CFLE, including some lovely audio recordings of songs.

Examples of newspaper coverage of Dr. Schaefer's research and publications, from the Leah Schaefer Archive (click to see larger image):