Audre Lorde

Influential feminist, writer, and civil rights activist who championed intersectionality.

Audre Lorde, born Audrey Geraldine Lorde on February 18, 1934, was a profound voice in American literature and activism, noted for her efforts in advocating feminism, civil rights, and social justice. Her work is celebrated for its candid exploration of identity, particularly through the lenses of race, gender, and sexuality.

Lorde was born in New York City to Caribbean immigrant parents and faced numerous challenges growing up, including racism, sexism, and homophobia. She channeled these experiences into her poetry and essays, which addressed themes of power, inequality, and resilience. Her collection The Black Unicorn is particularly noted for its melding of African myths with her personal experiences and feminist ideals.

As an openly lesbian woman, Audre Lorde was ahead of her time, advocating for the need to address the multiplicity of social struggles. Her concept of 'intersectionality'—though named later by Kimberlé Crenshaw—was integral to her philosophy, underscoring how overlapping identities impact experiences and access to justice. Learn more about her impact on feminism through Feminist Press.

Lorde described herself as a 'black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet', and her rich legacy is marked by works such as Zami: A New Spelling of My Name, a biomythography that combines elements of biography and myth. She believed that our silences would not protect us, and thus, advocated for open, unapologetic expressions of truth and identity.

Even after her death from breast cancer in 1992, Audre Lorde's work remains a vital force in conversations about equality, identity, and justice, providing inspiration for new generations of social activists.