Aisha, 25, New York, New York

"I had my first serious boyfriend at 19. Being in such close proximity to a man, I watched how much freedom he had in his body. It was amazing. It was the difference between him being able to get up, run his hand through his hair and be entirely acceptable in public -- handsome, charming -- and me not having that freedom....

Still, as a women with body hair, you're aware that you're crossing a line. So there's fear there. When I see other women who haven't shaved, I love them so much. I just think to myself you're brave, you're so brave."

Elvira, Los Angeles, California

"My hair on my head is praised for being so long and beautiful, but my body hair is seen as 'disgusting.' Why? They both grow out of my skin.... If someone is offended or disgusted by my natural body hair, then in all honesty, I'm glad it repels them from my life."

Lucy, 32, New Zealand

"I haven't shaved regularly for about 15 years -- I was even a hairy bride nine years ago ... I love my body hair. Hairy pits and hairy legs are a shrugging off of a sad, unnecessary expectation of women's bodies, but they are also sexy ... [My husband] feels that all of my body, including my hair, is alluring."

Rebecca, 25, Watsonville, California

"Having body hair makes me feel sexy, confident, like I'm truly myself. When I was shaving, my skin was constantly irritated, and that made me feel uncomfortable ... [Now], even though I sometimes get looks of disgust from other women, I know I'm doing something right because I'm putting the image out there that it's OK to be a woman and have hair. To be visible."

Destiny, 17, Seattle, Washington

"Growing out my armpit hair is a big deal, because it's different. People aren't used to seeing girls with armpit hair. But I've had a lot of guys like it. They think I'm the coolest chick in the whole wide world, and I kinda am. Honestly, I am the coolest person I know right now. I mean, I have blue armpit hair."