Florence Howe's feminist legacy

Today, on what would have been her ninety-fourth birthday, I’d like you to join me in remembering my dear friend and Feminist Press founder Florence Howe. 

It is not often that you have a friend for over 70 years. Florence and I met in 1947 when I was a freshman at Hunter College and she was a sophomore. She taught me everything I know about being an activist and a feminist. 

I became involved in Feminist Press in 1982, when the Press was at SUNY Old Westbury. We knew we were looking for lost women writers, and we still do, in addition to all the other wonderful books Feminist Press publishes today. Florence also believed that more than just a publisher, Feminist Press was a teacher, and she trained many young people interested in publishing how to work in the field. One of the things I know she loved was the number of people who began at the Press and moved on to higher positions, either within the organization or with other publishers. 

Helene Goldfarb (left) and Florence Howe (right) at a 2015 Feminist Press gala event.

The Feminist Press’s work started in 1970, but there is still so much to do. To continue our operations and keep our books affordable to everyone, support from our community has always been vital. Please join me in keeping Florence’s dream alive by donating whatever you can today.

With gratitude,

Helene Goldfarb

Vice Chair and President Emerita, Feminist Press Board of Directors