RIP Florence Howe

I was very sad to hear that Florence Howe, one of the founders of the field of Women’s Studies, and the founder of the breakthrough publisher The Feminist Press, died earlier this month (September 12, 2020), at the age of 91. She was a great pioneer and, although not as famous as some other feminist icons, had a deep and wide influence on the lives, intellectual and otherwise, of many, many women, even many who have never heard of her. She taught at Goucher College and realized how little attention was given to women’s lives and women’s literature in colleges and beyond. She practically founded the field of Women’s Studies. She tried to persuade several publishers to publish more work by women, but they declined, saying that it would not sell. So she started her own press, The Feminist Press, in 1970. There she published work by authors out of print as well as by contemporary authors. These included Zora Neale Hurston, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Grace Paley, Paule Marshall, Ama Ata Aidoo, Shirley Geok-Lin Lim, Tillie Olsen, Marilyn French, Alice Walker, and Barbara Ehrenreich, along with several anthologies. Note the diversity timewise as well as in race and ethnicity. The Press especially focused on marginalized voices. Gloria Steinem stated that the Feminist Press “created an opening for hundreds of women writers and thousands of readers.” I was and am one of those readers; I am old enough to remember when women writers were much less published, and when literature classes were bereft of works by women (except for the very few “classics”). Early on I found and read many of the Press’ books, often, and gratefully, “discovering” writers new to me through the Press. I also took one of the first Women's Studies classes offered by my university. (Note: Years later I taught several Women's Studies classes, especially Women's Literature classes.) I hope Florence Howe knew how many, many women (and some men too!) appreciated what she and The Feminist Press, along with the Women’s Studies field she helped to found, did for women and for all who care about equality and inclusion. Thank you, Florence Howe! You made a huge difference in the world!