The Word of a Woman: Feminist Dispatches

Feminism from the front lines

A founder of the contemporary global women’s movement, Robin Morgan is widely known as one of feminism’s strongest, most persuasive activists. As a writer, she is unique in her ability to distill ideas into smart pieces of nonfiction that can transform a reader’s worldview forever.

The Word of a Woman follows Morgan’s journalism and shorter prose from the 1960s through the early 1990s. Originally published in 1992, this second edition adds five new essays. An annotated version of her famous, fiery “Goodbye to All That” is here, as are essays that expose the connections between violence against women and pornography, explain the effects of female genital mutilation, and show how sexism and racism are intimately connected. She tells inside stories about having organized the first Miss America Pageant protest, writes poignantly about being a feminist raising a son, and pens a letter to be read one thousand years in the future. She reports on her work with Palestinian women in the Gaza Strip, with Filipina prostitutes in South Asia, and with village women in South Africa—and celebrates finding indigenous feminism wherever she goes. Morgan unveils creative, visionary yet pragmatic ways for women to unite, regardless of barriers. Her message of defiant hope will inspire any woman—and man—who reads it.