Known to the public as Dr. Ruth, Westheimer is a pioneer in the field of sex therapy and media psychology. Her innovative radio program, "Sexually Speaking," first began airing as a 15-minute radio show in 1980 in New York City. Today, the show is widely distributed throughout the country, and now constitutes only one of many media venues Dr. Ruth uses to share her expertise and advance the cause of sexual literacy. Her television career spans both broadcast and cable, and her shows are syndicated to viewers worldwide.
Currently, Westheimer teaches as an adjunct professor at New York University and is a fellow at the New York Academy of Medicine. She has her own private practice and is a regular lecturer on the college circuit. She is the author of 17 books, including "Dr. Ruth's Guide for Married Lovers," "Dr. Ruth's Guide to Erotic and Sensuous Pleasures," "Dr. Ruth's Guide to Safer Sex," "Dr. Ruth's Pregnancy Guide for Couples" and "Dr. Ruth's Encyclopedia of Sex." Recently Dr. Ruth's interests have expanded to included books on the role of grandparents and the value of the family.
A native of Germany, Westheimer escaped the Holocaust by being sent to an orphanage in Switzerland for German Jewish children. As a teenager, she traveled to Israel, joining the Jewish freedom fighters. She immigrated to the United States in 1956. She received a master's degree in sociology from the New School of Social Research, and a Ph.D. in education in the interdisciplinary study of the family from Columbia University's Teacher's College. Among her numerous awards and honors are an Ace Award for excellence in cable television programming and inclusion in the Most Intriguing People of the Century list published by People Magazine.
Return to Past Assembly Series Speakers
Return to Washington University's Assembly Series Home Page