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Jill Johnston Obituary
Her spouse, Ingrid Nyeboe, says Johnston died Saturday at Hartford Hospital from complications from a stroke she suffered earlier this month. The couple lived in Sharon in northwestern Connecticut.
Johnston began as a Village Voice dance critic in 1959. Her website says she adopted a "daring, experimental" writing style in the late 1960s in writing her weekly cultural column, a style she said she later tried to undo.
Her 1973 book, "Lesbian Nation: The Feminist Solution," challenged male-dominated society and has been described as a "bible for militant feminists."
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press
33 Entries
PearlOfGod
May 2, 2012
Jill- I love that women like us started a consciousness that, with vigilance, will continue. HOPEFULLY, young women will NOT take for granted the ACTUAL blood that was shed for their everyday freedoms. We, who lived, laughed, loved, fought,struggled,wrote, marched,and cried, right along your side, will NOT forget you. Blessed Be!! XXXXOOOO.
Elisabeth Brook
September 30, 2010
Jill was a hero to me; brave, brilliant, over the top. For those of you who were fortunate enough to know her well, I offer my sincere condolences. She will be missed.
Jim Parker
September 26, 2010
The power of the pen, coupled with the power of the spitit, equals the power to change...
September 26, 2010
May the family continue to look to Almighty God for comfort during this difficult time. Because God is a refuge and strength, a help that is readily to be found during distresses.
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Waltraud Barron
September 25, 2010
Last night I watched a gay/lesbian documentary made in 1978. Jill was not in it, but I thought of her and decided to do a computer search to see what she is doing now. Unfortunately I found she just past away. When I subscribed to the Village Voice way
back in the 70's, I always read her column first. I enjoyed her writings tremendously.
Waltraud Barron, Anchorage, Alaska
Marley GreinerC
September 25, 2010
Jill was one of my favorite writers for the Vilage Voice, and I always looked forward to her columns. Lesbian Nation is an extremely important work from the 2nd wave. I hope neither it nor she will be forgotten.
P Vicknair
September 25, 2010
May your legacy live on! Rest in Peace, dear one!
Norma
September 25, 2010
Sorry for the lost of your dear loved one.Somthing comforting for god's word at Isaiah 26:19 God promise to rais up our loved ones back to life.Hope it will give some comfort.
norma
September 25, 2010
it is sad when anyone dies. this should be a time of reflection on how we live life, knowing that life eternal is in the hands of the one who created us. we are mortal and will die. what we leave behind is what we will be remembered by. the bible says at eccl 7:1 that the the day of ones death can be better than the day of ones being born, if we live it the way
God wills
KM W
September 24, 2010
I read one of this feisty woman's enlightening books years ago and will pray for all who love her.
KMW
September 24, 2010
Blessed be. Goodbye Jill. Thanks for helping us build a nation.
love, your sisters XXOO
Victoria~ VZj
September 23, 2010
Christ be within your Spirit
As heavens grace of power
walks with you & yours
Our condolences in regards
to Jill Johnston~
Mickey
September 23, 2010
Ingrid,
I am very sorry for your loss. I knew you in the 70s in NYC when you were at La MaMa ETC. I met Jill at a women's function when I lived in the West Village. I always admired her writing and her courage to live her life proudly and on her own terms. May you and the rest of her family be comforted with your wonderful memories of Jill. She was an inspiration to many and will always be remembered for her many contributions to our sisterhood. I wish you peace in the days ahead and comfort in your time of sorrow.
Irene Scheibner
September 23, 2010
One facet of a life is how many people we move. Jill Johnston moved many many people, in many directions. I was one of them. I met her in Hartford, 1973. She made us all feel powerful. I looked in the mirror and saw -- myself, waiting to be.
September 23, 2010
Many condolences. I couldn't wait for the Village Voice to go on sale each week in the late '60s so I could read read Jill's column about "a love that dare not speak its name".
Thank you for the comfort I found in your writing.
Jenn Simonson New York
Blessings and Goddess Speed Jill
flash Silvermoon
September 23, 2010
My condolences to her lover, friends and family. Shocking news! I knew Jill during those wild and wonderful early 70's in NYC and have many fond memories of our activites back in the day. She was an incredible wit with great vision and direction for a movement needing to be born, lesbian feminism. Her irreverent politriks fueled many a discussion and even more activism. She helped drag a lesbian Separatist politic out of the sheets and into the streets!
Flash Silvermoon
R Golay
September 22, 2010
To the the family of Jill Johnston - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that Jill will be missed by many.
Lori George Alexander
September 22, 2010
She spoke for people who could not speak, she wrote for people who could not write and gave validity to those who were told they did not matter. Thank you so much for being there for everyone, for reminding people that everyone is part of the rainbow and that each of us is of value to the Eternal.
julie hovland
September 22, 2010
I always loved reading jill Johnston, her thoughts and writings always made me awake and aware. She made me think and i thank her for that. She will be remembered as a creative and intelligent writer. Thank you jill for enlightening me.
tyler Vinciguerra
September 22, 2010
WOW I am shocked what a loss. I just read about the passing. It's sad. My heart goes out to the family. You were an I con. You will be missed.
September 22, 2010
We can only say happy trails and thank God for the people like her in our lives.
September 22, 2010
iwish icould of met this woman she wrote bout lesbians.
Stephanie Potter
September 22, 2010
A big ole rainbow in the early morning sky here in Burlington, VT. I am so deeply feeling this loss today, and going back to 1971 when I first discovered Jill. Diving deep, and grateful, Stephanie Potter
The Tanoahs
September 22, 2010
We are so sorry for your lost. May God be with you during your time of sorrow.
Mark Wagner
September 22, 2010
I will light a candle and start praying for her soul. To her family may you find solice in her work and life.
S Prince
September 22, 2010
As a native New Yorker I was a village voice reader.Her work will be missed.
May the god of comfort bring the family peace during these stressful times. Rev 21:4
September 22, 2010
My deepest regrets. Old friend from New York City days in the 60's. "Thy will be done".
Jim Bauknight
Houston, Texas
Michele
September 22, 2010
I read Lesbian Nation in college when I first became aware of the lesbian part of my nature. What a bold, audacious, original soul! I hope Jill had a deeply satisfying life and that those who loved her are surrounded by comfort. R.I.P.
Ben & Rita
September 22, 2010
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Veronica
September 22, 2010
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear loved one. It's comforting to know that God cares for all of us. The Bible gives us hope that one day we can see our loved ones again. On behalf of all mankind Jesus surrendered his soul. John 15:13 says “No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his soul on behalf of his friends.” Truly I am sorry to hear of the loss of your dear loved one and I hope these few words will bring you comfort and hope .
Darlene Olivo
September 21, 2010
Jill's was an important voice in the front lines of Feminism. When I was first waking up in 1970--and even though I'm straight--I appreciated what she had to say. Rest in peace--she deserves it.
September 21, 2010
My sympathies to Jill's family and loved ones. May the "God of all comfort" be with you.
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