Susan Brownmiller, a pioneering feminist writer and activist who redefined the way society understands sexual violence, passed away on May 24, 2025, at the age of 90. Her landmark book, Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape, published in 1975, challenged cultural taboos and inspired legal reforms, education initiatives, and generations of feminist thinkers.
Born Susan Warhaftig in Brooklyn, New York, on February 15, 1935, Brownmiller grew up during a period when discussions of sexual violence were largely relegated to whispers, if discussed at all. As a journalist and activist, she came of age alongside the second-wave feminist movement of the 1960s and 70s, eventually emerging as one of its most influential voices.
Her most famous work, Against Our Will, marked a turning point in public understanding of rape—not as a private or isolated act of passion, but as a systematic means of enforcing male dominance. In it, she wrote that rape “is nothing more or less than a conscious process of intimidation by which all men keep all women in a state of fear.” This assertion struck a powerful chord and faced backlash in equal measure. Yet it pushed conversations about consent, gender power dynamics, and victim advocacy into the mainstream.
The impact of Brownmiller’s work was both cultural and structural. In the years following the book’s release, rape crisis centers sprang up across the United States. Legislators took steps to revise antiquated laws, leading to legal recognition of marital rape and stronger protections for survivors. Her influence extended beyond print, contributing to a nationwide shift in how rape and sexual assault were prosecuted, reported, and understood.
A Tireless Activist Beyond the Page
Brownmiller’s activism was not limited to her writing. She co-founded Women Against Pornography in 1979, a New York-based organization that aimed to confront and dismantle the commercial sexual exploitation of women. She believed that pornography was intrinsically linked to societal violence against women and should be critically examined and resisted. Her efforts to challenge mainstream acceptance of sexualized imagery met both support and strong opposition, highlighting the ideological divides even within feminist circles.
Throughout the 1980s and 90s, she continued to publish influential works, including Femininity, which examined how social expectations shaped women’s behavior and appearances, and In Our Time: Memoir of a Revolution, a deeply personal and comprehensive history of the women’s liberation movement. These writings showcased her sharp intellect and unwavering dedication to gender justice.
Brownmiller also shared her insights through teaching, holding faculty positions at institutions like Pace University. There, she mentored young students, many of whom went on to become activists, lawyers, and scholars in their own right.
A Complex Legacy
Brownmiller’s bold assertions did not come without criticism. Some activists and scholars took issue with the racial dynamics in her writing, particularly in how she addressed sexual violence across racial lines. Critics argued that her work sometimes lacked nuance and failed to fully grapple with the intersectionality of race and gender.
Nonetheless, her contribution to feminist theory and the broader civil rights discourse remains profound. Her insistence on viewing rape as a political issue helped move it from the shadows into public consciousness, where it became a subject of urgent policy and social reform.
Remembering a Trailblazer
Brownmiller never married and did not have children, but she leaves behind an enduring legacy in both the written word and the legal and cultural shifts she helped spark. Tributes from activists, academics, and public figures have poured in since the news of her passing, praising her courage, clarity, and uncompromising vision.
At 90, she remained intellectually active and fiercely committed to the cause she championed. Her passing marks the end of an era for feminist activism, but her influence will continue to shape conversations on gender, power, and justice for generations to come.
