Susie Wilson is the Heart and Soul of Sex, Etc.

Answer, the home of Sex, Etc., is a national organization aimed at providing comprehensive sex education for teens. Established in 1981 as the New Jersey Network for Family Life Education and later renamed “Answer,” it has put teens center stage by empowering them as creators, leaders and advocates for other teens.

What originally started as a smaller organization grew to be a newsletter, magazine (“Sex, Etc.”) and later, the website you’re currently reading, which can be accessed globally.

There are many people to thank for Answer and Sex, Etc.’s expansion and success, but one woman started it all: Susan (Susie) N. Wilson. We met her and thought it was important to share the story of how this amazing boss-woman created a safe space for generations of teens to learn about sex and sexuality in accurate, non-shaming and inclusive ways.

We asked Susie a range of questions about Sex, Etc. We hope you enjoy reading her inspirational responses as much as we enjoyed talking with her!

How did Sex, Etc. get started?

I was a member of the New Jersey State Board of Education and thought I would work on early childhood education. At the time, I never dreamed that an opportunity to get involved in sex education would come my way. While serving, I asked a question at a state board meeting, which led to my appointment by the board president to chair a subcommittee to look into what the board had or had not done for sex education in public schools. That question changed my life.

Why did you want to start Sex, Etc.?

Students’ voices were usually overlooked in the development of sex education programs. They had little say about sex ed in school, specifically the topics discussed.

How did you start it?

First and foremost, securing funding. We secured a grant from a small NJ state organization for producing the first copies (of the newsletter).

What was the original mission?

To reflect the issues around sex education that were of interest to young people, rather than those of interest to or protected by adults.

Did you face any obstacles/backlash? If so, how did you overcome them?

Of course. Whenever one mentions “sex” or “sex education” in public, it can cause a strong, often very negative reaction from adults who are convinced if you talk about this subject it will convince young people to have sex. As with so many polarizing issues, you have to be willing to compromise in a democratic society. You never achieve 100 percent of what you want. We luckily had a democratic majority in the legislature and they stood behind us and our work.

How did you get funding and support?

Hard work and the willingness to hear “no” and not get discouraged.

How did you feel when the first newsletter and later magazine were published?

I had a mixture of emotions, including huge amounts of gratitude for the first group of teen editors and pride in what we had accomplished, but not much time to sit by and admire our work as there was more to do.

Did you expect Sex, Etc. to be as large as it is now?

Not in a million years.

What do you see for the future of Sex, Etc.?

I would like Sex, Etc. used in every high school in every state in the U.S., for starters. Secretly, I would like the magazine revived, rather than simply rely on the internet. I think this approach would lead to more and better conversations and more knowledge.

Anything you’d like to share with today’s teens?

I am proud of every student who has worked for Sex, Etc. who wrote an article long or short, and who spoke to their peers about these issues. Anyone who gets involved in comprehensive sex education is doing a great service to help others live a safe, informed, healthy life. You don’t know the power you possess when you pass along knowledge.

Susie’s ongoing advocacy and perseverance has created opportunities for teens to learn, use their voices and connect over historically silenced topics. She has challenged societal restrictions to create environments that foster that same determination.

Susie, you are such an impressive woman whose impact definitely does not go unnoticed. Thank you for all you’ve done for Sex, Etc.!