Florence Schechter

{{Infobox person

| name = Florence Schechter

| caption = Schechter in 2019

| nationality = British

| education = Biochemistry BSc, 2014

| alma_mater = University of Birmingham

| occupation = Museum Director, Author, Public Speaker

| employer = Vagina Museum

| website = {{URL|www.floschechter.com}}

}}

Florence Schechter is the founder of the Vagina Museum and was director from 2017 to 2024.{{Cite web |title=People |url=https://www.vaginamuseum.co.uk/about/people |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Vagina Museum |language=en-US}} She is also a consultant, science communicator, and public speaker.{{Cite magazine |title=Inside the World's First Museum Dedicated to the Vagina |url=https://time.com/5728259/vagina-museum-london/ |access-date=2022-10-25 |magazine=Time |date=15 November 2019 |language=en}} She is currently the Director: Creative Programmes and Collections at Museum of the Home.{{Cite web |title= |url=https://museumofthehome.org.uk/about-us/who-we-are/our-people/}} Her debut book, V: An Empowering Celebration of the Vulva and Vagina, was published by Penguin Random House in March 2023.{{Cite web |title=Florence Schechter |url=https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/289480/florence-schechter |access-date=2022-10-11 |publisher=Penguin Random House |language=en}}

Early life and education

Schechter's father is Klezmer musician Grigori Schechter.{{Cite web |date=2017-12-31 |title=This Jewish Woman Is Creating The World's First Vagina Museum |url=https://forward.com/news/breaking-news/391147/this-jewish-woman-is-creating-the-world-s-first-vagina-museum/ |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=The Forward |language=en}} She graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2014 with a BSc in Biochemistry.{{Cite web |title=Schechter, Florence |url=https://www.johnsonandalcock.co.uk/schechter-florence |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Johnson & Alcock |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Lawford |first=Emily |title=The biologist behind the Vagina Museum |url=https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/views/people/63741/the-biologist-behind-the-vagina-museum |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Prospect Magazine |language=en}}

Prior to the Vagina Museum, she interned at the BBC show QI.{{Cite web |last=O’Dea |first=Blathnaid |date=2022-11-30 |title='Vaginas have always been a passion of mine,' says this museum founder |url=https://www.siliconrepublic.com/people/vagina-museum-florence-schechter-science-communication |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Silicon Republic |language=en}}

Vagina Museum

File:Visitors at the Vagina Museum exhibition "Muff Busters - Vagina Myths and How To Fight Them".jpg

In 2017, Schechter founded the Vagina Museum{{Cite web |date=2017-03-29 |title=Vaginas deserve their own museum according to this woman |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/vagina-museum-deserve-florence-schechter-women-learn-consent-health-education-equality-penis-iceland-disgust-youtuber-a7655901.html |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=The Independent |language=en}} after discovering that there was a penis museum in Iceland, but no vagina equivalent anywhere in the world.{{Cite web |title=Meet Florence Schechter, founder of Vagina Museum |url=https://www.tattydevine.com/blogs/news/meet-florence-schechter-founder-of-vagina-museum |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Tatty Devine |language=en}} She was the Vagina Museum's Director from 2017 to 2024. The first ever fundraising event was held at Unit 5 Gallery, London in May 2017.{{Cite web |last=Spencer |first=Hayley |date=2017-04-25 |title=This woman is crowd-funding to create the world's first vagina museum |url=https://www.stylist.co.uk/travel/this-woman-is-crowd-funding-to-create-the-worlds-first-vagina-museum/8079 |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Stylist |language=en}} 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?.{{Cite web |last=Amsen |first=Eva |title=The World's First Vagina Museum Encourages Conversation Around Gynecological Health |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/evaamsen/2019/04/02/the-worlds-first-vagina-museum-encourages-conversation-around-gynecological-health/ |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

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,{{Cite web |last=Luckhurst |first=Phoebe |date=2019-11-12 |title=Why the world needs its first bricks-and-mortar Vagina Museum |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/vagina-museum-interview-florence-schechter-a4284801.html |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}} opening on 16 November 2019.{{Cite web |first1=Zoe |last1=Paskett |first2=Helena |last2=Wadia |date=2019-11-16 |title=Everything you need to know about the Vagina Museum |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/vagina-museum-camden-market-exhibitions-events-a4288286.html |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=World's First Vagina Museum Tackles FGM, Sexual Health, and More |url=https://www.globalcitizen.org/es/content/vagina-museum-in-london-tackle-fgm-sexual-health/ |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Global Citizen |language=es}} To open the museum, a fundraising campaign was held which raised almost £50,000.{{Cite news |date=2019-09-19 |title=Vagina museum in London aims to 'banish shame' |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49753320 |access-date=2022-10-25}} In 2021, the Vagina Museum closed its doors in Camden Market after the landlords refused to renew the lease in their unit.{{Cite web |last=Patterson |first=Sally |date=2022-02-23 |title=Opening: Vagina Museum moves to Bethnal Green |url=https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/business/camden-vagina-museum-re-opening-in-bethnal-green-8712426 |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Hampstead Highgate Express |language=en-UK}}{{Cite web |title=The World's Only Vagina Museum Is Closing Its Doors |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-vagina-museum-is-closing-its-doors-in-london/ |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Vice |date=22 September 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title='Outpouring of support' as Vagina Museum seeks new home |url=https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2021/08/outpouring-of-support-as-vagina-museum-seeks-new-home/ |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Museums Association |date=24 August 2021 |language=en-US}} The Vagina Museum reopened in its second location in March 2022{{Cite web |title=Vagina Museum finds new home after six month search |url=https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/vagina-museum-finds-new-home-after-six-month-search.html |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=civilsociety.co.uk}}{{Cite web |title=London's Vagina Museum set to reopen its doors after six months |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/london-vagina-museum-set-reopen-122919913.html |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Yahoo! News UK |date=7 March 2022 |language=en-GB}} in ENTER, a venue located in Bethnal Green.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-21 |title=Vagina Museum reveals new 'triple size' location and reopening date |url=https://advisor.museumsandheritage.com/news/vagina-museum-reveals-new-triple-size-location-reopening-date/ |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Museums + Heritage Advisor |language=en-GB}} The museum then opened in its long-term location in two railway arches in Bethnal Green after a crowdfunding campaign that raised over £85,000.

The museum is dedicated to being trans-inclusive.{{Cite web |last=Wakefield |first=Lily |date=2022-03-19 |title=Founder of world's first Vagina Museum explains why it's for everyone |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/03/19/vagina-museum-london-bethnal-green/ |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=PinkNews }}

Schechter has lectured around the world about her work with the Vagina Museum, including the Royal Institution,{{Cite web |title=Valentine's Day vaginas |publisher=Royal Institution |url=https://www.rigb.org/whats-on/valentines-day-vaginas |access-date=2022-10-11 |language=en}} British Science Festival,{{Cite web |date=2018-09-10 |title=Dispelling Five Myths About 'Normal' Vaginas |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/vagina-museum_uk_5b9621d9e4b0cf7b004161c7 |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=HuffPost UK |language=en}} Conway Hall,{{Cite web |title=Thinking on Sunday: Why the World Needs A Vagina Museum |url=https://www.conwayhall.org.uk/whats-on/event/thinking-on-sunday-why-the-world-needs-a-vagina-museum/ |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Conway Hall |language=en-GB}} Freud Museum,{{Cite web |title=Conference: Solitary Pleasures in art and psychoanalysis- Florence Schechter |publisher=Freud Museum London: Psychoanalysis Podcasts |url=https://thefreudmuseum.podbean.com/e/conference-solitary-pleasures-in-art-and-psychoanalysis-florence-schechter/ |access-date=2024-12-04 |language=en}} and National Student Pride.{{Citation |title=LBTQ+ Women's Panel {{!}} National Student Pride 2021 | date=20 April 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nutKbvaWIhw |language=en |access-date=2022-10-11 |via=YouTube}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Penguin to publish 'ground-breaking' book by Vagina Museum creator Schechter |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/penguin-to-publish-ground-breaking-book-by-vagina-museum-creator-schechter |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=The Bookseller |language=En}} The book was published in March 2023 and is illustrated by Nadia Akingbule.{{Cite web |last=Pavel |date=2023-09-22 |title=Battling the stigma: The world's first Vagina Museum |url=https://researchfeatures.com/battling-stigma-worlds-first-vagina-museum/ |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Research Features |language=en-GB}} The book is suitable for ages 14+. As part of the marketing campaign, she went on tour to Cheltenham Science Festival, Surgeons' Hall Museum,{{Cite web |title=V with Florence Schechter |publisher=Surgeons' Hall Museums, Edinburgh |url=https://museum.rcsed.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/2023/october/v-with%C2%A0florence-schechter |access-date=2024-12-04}} Burgh House,{{Cite web |title=Burgh House Book Lab: Florence Schechter - V: An empowering celebration of the vulva and vagina |url=https://www.pramstead.com/events-1/burgh-house-book-lab-florence-schechter-v-an-empowering-celebration-of-the-vulva-and-vagina |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Pramstead |language=en}} and Conway Hall.{{Cite web |title=V: A Celebration of the Vulva and Vagina |url=https://www.conwayhall.org.uk/whats-on/event/v-a-celebration-of-the-vulva-and-vagina/ |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Conway Hall |language=en-GB}}

Schechter is currently signed with United Agents.{{Cite web |title=Florence Schechter |publisher=United Agents |url=https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/florence-schechter |access-date=2023-05-16}}

She has also written articles for a number of publications including DIVA magazine,{{Cite web |last=EDITOR |date=2023-03-01 |title=This week's podDIVA is a March issue debrief |url=https://diva-magazine.com/2023/03/01/poddiva-march-issue-debrief/ |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=Diva |language=en-GB}} Metro,{{Cite web |last=Schechter |first=Florence |date=2020-01-30 |title=I'm not surprised women turn to The Goop Lab for advice - it could be dangerous |url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/30/not-surprised-women-turn-goop-lab-advice-12136539/ |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=Metro |language=en}} and The Huffington Post.{{Cite web |date=2018-09-10 |title=Dispelling Five Myths About 'Normal' Vaginas |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/vagina-museum_uk_5b9621d9e4b0cf7b004161c7 |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=HuffPost UK |language=en}}

In 2024, she published a guide for the museums sector called "So You Want to Build a Museum".{{Cite web |last=Hardaker |first=Alistair |date=2024-07-24 |title=Former Vagina Museum founder launches guide for creating museums |url=https://museumsandheritage.com/advisor/posts/former-vagina-museum-founder-launches-guide-for-creating-museums/ |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Museums + Heritage |language=en-US}}

Public speaking

Schechter has been working in the science communication sector since 2016, mostly based around biology.{{Cite web |last=Steve_X |date=2016-06-14 |title=SCIENCE SHOWOFF Croydon Comedy Festival, June 23rd |url=https://scienceshowoff.wordpress.com/2016/06/14/croydon/ |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=Science Showoff |language=en}} She has written and presented a number of podcasts for Chemistry World, podcast of the Royal Society of Chemistry,{{Cite web |title=Florence Schechter {{!}} Author |url=https://www.chemistryworld.com/florence-schechter/5677.bio |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Chemistry World |language=en}} and for the BBC's Boring Talks.{{Cite web |date=2018-12-17 |title=BBC Sounds - The Boring Talks, #29 - Animal Vaginas |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06vrq83 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}

In 2019, Schechter performed her debut show "Queer by Nature" at Vaults Festival,{{Cite web |date=2019-02-25 |title=REVIEW: Queer By Nature at VAULT Festival |url=https://diva-magazine.com/2019/02/25/review-queer-by-nature-at-vault-festival/ |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=Diva |language=en-GB}} all about same sex sexual behaviour in animals.{{Cite web |title=Book Queer By Nature Tickets Online - Comedy Tickets - Seating plan, Show times, Reviews, Cast & Info - London Theatre |url=https://stagedoorapp.com/the-vaults/queer-by-nature?p=8133 |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=Stagedoor |language=en-gb}}{{Citation |title=Queer By Nature, Vaults, 20 Feb 2019 | date=22 October 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNl-V_0Is3o |language=en |access-date=2022-10-25 |via=YouTube}}

She has spoken at and contributed to a number of different conferences and festivals including Green Man Festival,{{Cite web |title=The Breakup Monologues with Rosie Wilby: Live from Green Man Festival - with Florence Schechter and Harriet Gibsone |url=https://podfollow.com/breakupmonologues/episode/bc27a880d375543669af55e8894051e52708ca01/view |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=podfollow |language=en}} Imperial College London,{{Cite web |title=Appetite for Change: Stories of women in health, research and innovation |url=https://www.imperial.ac.uk/events/174115/appetite-for-change-stories-of-women-in-health-research-and-innovation/ |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Imperial College London |language=en-GB}} and Bradford Literature Festival.{{Cite web |title=The Vagina Dialogues |url=https://www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk/event/the-vagina-dialogues/ |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Bradford Literature Festival |language=en-US}} She gave the keynote speech at SCI:COM 2022 at Dublin's Aviva Stadium and British Science Festival 2024.{{Cite web |title=16 of the UK's best scientific minds announced as Scientific Section Presidents |url=https://britishsciencefestival.org/16-of-the-uks-best-scientific-minds-announced-as-scientific-section-presidents/ |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=British Science Festival |language=en-GB}}

Schechter has appeared in a number of podcasts including The Guilty Feminist,{{Cite AV media |url=https://shows.acast.com/guiltyfeminist/episodes/353-vagina-museum-with-jessica-fostekew-and-special-guest-fl |title=353. Vagina Museum with Jessica Fostekew and special guest Florence Schechter {{!}} The Guilty Feminist |date=2023-04-10 |access-date=2024-12-04 |via=shows.acast.com}} Doing It with Hannah Witton,{{Cite web |date=2019-11-13 |title=The Vagina Museum with Florence Schechter |url=https://doingitpodcast.co.uk/episodes/florenceschechter |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Doing It Podcast |language=en-US}} Drunk Women Solving Crime,{{Cite web |title=139 Florence Schechter and the Honesty Box by Drunk Women Solving Crime |url=https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/drunk-women-solving-crime-712373/episodes/139-florence-schechter-and-the-91204444 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Podchaser |language=en}} and Arts & Culture.{{Cite web |title=Innovating & Disrupting (with Florence Schechter at The Vagina Museum) |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/ng/podcast/innovating-disrupting-with-florence-schechter-at/id1709720651?i=1000651502233 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-GB}}

She was a contributor to the Peacock documentary Queer Planet, which premiered in 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-16 |title=Queer Planet Trailer: New Peacock Series Will Explore Sexual Diversity in the Animal Kingdom |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/queer-planet-nature-series-peacock-trailer-watch-now |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=SYFY Official Site |language=en-US}}

Honours and awards

Schechter came highly commended in the Women of the Future Awards in 2017.{{Cite web |title=Florence Schechter {{!}} Author |url=https://www.chemistryworld.com/florence-schechter/5677.bio |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Chemistry World |language=en}}

In 2019, she won Pioneer of the Year in the Sexual Freedom Awards.{{Cite web |title=2019 Finalists |url=https://www.sexualfreedomawards.co.uk/2019-finalists |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Sexual Freedom Awards |language=en-US}}

In 2020, she was nominated for the Rising Star of the Year Award with DIVA magazine.{{Cite tweet |title=Founder of the world's first vagina museum @floschechter is on the shortlist for the #DIVAAwards20 Rising Star of the Year Award! |number=1231188147180130312 |access-date=2022-10-11|user=DIVAmagazine}}

In 2023, she came highly commended in the Young Entrepreneur Category at the DIVA awards.{{Cite web |title=SHORTLIST 2023 |url=https://www.divaawards2023.com/vote-now |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=Diva Awards 2023 |language=en}}

Personal life

Schechter identifies as bisexual.{{Cite web |last=EDITOR |date=2019-11-18 |title=What's it like to be… Director of the world's first vagina museum? |url=https://diva-magazine.com/2019/11/18/whats-it-like-to-be-director-of-the-worlds-first-vagina-museum/ |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=diva-magazine.com |language=en-GB}}