Feminists

Dorothy Allison (1949–2024), award-winning feminist author 

Dorothy Allison was an award-winning author whose stories about class struggles, feminism, and being queer in the South earned her widespread acclaim, especially her novel, “Bastard Out of Carolina.” 

Diane Noomin (1947–2022), pioneering underground comics artist

Diane Noomin was one of the first women working in underground comics, writing and drawing characters including DiDi Glitz.

Paula Rego (1935–2022), award-winning artist

Paula Rego was a Portuguese-British artist known for her feminist paintings.

Betty Dodson (1929–2020), feminist sex educator

Betty Dodson was a sex educator known for teaching women how to masturbate via her workshops, books, and videos.

Helen Reddy (1941–2020), singer known for feminist anthem “I Am Woman”

Helen Reddy was an Australian singer whose hits included the 1972 chart-topping feminist anthem “I Am Woman.”

Shere Hite (1942–2020), author of Hite Reports on female sexuality

Shere Hite was a sex educator and feminist who issued the groundbreaking Hite Reports that explored human sexuality and focused on women’s experiences.

Florence Howe (1929–2020), women’s studies pioneer

Florence Howe was a pioneer of women’s studies and the founder of the Feminist Press.  

Madeline McWhinney Dale (1922–2020), pioneering Fed banker

Madeline McWhinney Dale was a banker who broke new ground for women in finance as the first female officer of the Federal Reserve Bank.

Emma Amos (1937–2020), artist whose work explored racism and sexism

Emma Amos was a painter whose brightly colored works shone a light on racism and sexism in America.

Ntozake Shange (1948–2018), pioneering black feminist poet and playwright

Wrote the influential play ‘For Colored Girls’ which won an Obie Award.

Kate Millett, feminist author of "Sexual Politics"

Activist, artist and educator whose best-selling "Sexual Politics" was a landmark of cultural criticism and a manifesto for the modern feminist movement.

Bella Abzug: 5 Things to Know About a Tough American Woman

Once upon a time in the 1970s, Americans looking for an example of a tough-as-nails woman who stood up on behalf of her community had Bella Abzug.

The Women Who Suffered for Suffrage

Thousands of women marching on Washington is nothing new. We remember the women of a century ago who took to the streets and demanded the right to vote.

Great American Women

As many thousands of Americans travel to the nation's capital this weekend to express their support for women's rights at the Women's March on Washington, we salute the valuable contributions women make every day — to their communities and the world at large. Click through the photos below for a closer look at 30 remarkable American women whose lives have left lasting legacies in science, politics, sports, business, the arts, and other fields.

Carrie Fisher (1956–2016), iconic Star Wars star

Carrie Fisher, the actress whose role as Princess Leia in the original "Star Wars" trilogy and helped George Lucas’ space-fantasy epic redefine Hollywood blockbusters for a new generation of moviegoers, died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016. She was 60.

International Women's Day

March 8 is International Women's Day, a day meant to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. At Legacy.com, we're revisiting some of our past coverage exploring incredible women's life stories.

Surviving the Holocaust

Anna Maxell Levin-Ware survived the Holocaust and lived to be almost 90, making the world a more beautiful place while she was here.

The Betty Friedan Mystique

Betty Friedan , author of the landmark The Feminine Mystique , died five years ago today on her 85th birthday. We took a look back at her life and the impact of her work.