Susan Brownmiller, a strong voice in the feminist movement and author of the bold and groundbreaking book Against Our Will, has passed away at the age of 90. She died on Saturday at a hospital in New York, after being unwell for some time. The news was confirmed by her close friend and the executor of her will, Emily Jane Goodman, a retired New York State Supreme Court judge.
A Voice for Women’s Rights and Justice
Before becoming a well-known feminist, Susan was a journalist, anti-war protester, and civil rights activist. She joined the “second wave” of feminism in the 1960s and ’70s—a movement that forever changed how the world spoke about women’s rights, sexuality, marriage, and gender equality. She stood alongside other iconic feminists like Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, and Kate Millett.
Susan Brownmiller’s most powerful contribution came in 1975 when she wrote Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape. The book exposed the harsh truths about rape—its history, its role in war and prisons, and how society often ignored or misunderstood it. She boldly stated that rape is not about passion, but power and control.
A Book That Shook the World
Susan’s book became a bestseller and opened the eyes of many. It was not just read—it sparked debates, inspired women to speak up, and helped launch rape crisis centers and marital rape laws. Her message was loud and clear: women should not live in fear or silence.
But not everyone agreed with her. Some were shocked or even angry at what she wrote. One reporter once yelled at her, saying, “You have no right to disturb my mind like this!” But Susan stood firm.
Controversies and Criticisms
While Susan’s work was celebrated, some of her writings also drew criticism. In one chapter titled A Question of Race, she discussed the tragic 1955 case of Emmett Till, a Black teenager killed in Mississippi. While she condemned his murder, she was also criticized for blaming Till for the incident that led to his death. Civil rights leader Angela Davis called her views racist, and in later years, some journalists labeled her comments as morally wrong. Yet, Susan said in 2015 that she still stood by “every word.”
She also received backlash in a 2015 interview where she suggested that women should avoid getting drunk to stay safe, a remark seen by some as victim-blaming. Even her fellow feminist, Gloria Steinem, disagreed with that statement.
A Life of Writing and Teaching
Besides Against Our Will, Susan wrote several other books, including:
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Femininity
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Seeing Vietnam
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Waverly Place (a novel inspired by a real-life child abuse case)
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My City Highrise Garden (about her own life in New York)
In her later years, she taught at Pace University and stayed connected with feminist causes. She helped start the New York chapter of Women Against Pornography, promoting protests and education instead of legal bans.
Early Life and Awakening
Susan Brownmiller was born in New York City in 1935 and proudly shared her birthday with the legendary Susan B. Anthony. Her parents were working-class and loved politics, which shaped her passion for activism. After attending Cornell University, she dreamed of becoming a Broadway star but eventually found her calling in social justice.
She became active in the civil rights movement, joining the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in 1960. In 1964, she joined volunteers in Mississippi to help Black Americans register to vote during “Freedom Summer.”
A Powerful Legacy
Susan Brownmiller was not afraid to speak the truth, even when it made people uncomfortable. Her courage helped shape a better, more equal world for women. She believed deeply in the strength of women coming together.
Her life reminds us that one voice can truly make a difference. Her books, her activism, and her words will continue to inspire generations to come.
