Early Feminist Essays

Acollection of three classic and enduringly influential essays by U.S.feminist and early organiser of the women's liberation movement Jo Freeman,published here with a new introduction by Kate Bugos. The Bitch Manifesto (1968) - Widelyregarded as a foundational text of the Second Wave feminist movement, thisessay is an early instance of language reclamation, encouraging feminists toreclaim the once-pejorative term 'bitch.' The Revolution Is Happening In Our Minds (1969) - An inspiring overview ofthe feminist currents and actions of the period, including accounts of legalchallenges to abortion laws, protests against the commodification of women'sbodies, the formation of feminist theatres and publications, the organisingof self-defence classes, the creation of consciousness-raising groups, andmuch more besides.The Tyranny of Structurelessness (1971) - This seminal essay identifies howgroups founded on well-meaning principles of egalitarian leaderlessness cancome to be dominated by invisible hierarchies, which are more oppressive andless democratic than formally recognized ones. Widely referenced to this day,it remains an authoritative warning about the importance of accountabilityand direct democracy within activist groups.