Early Feminist Essays

A collection 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)  - Widely regarded as a foundational text of the Second Wave feminist movement, this essay is an early instance of language reclamation, encouraging feminists to reclaim the once-pejorative term ‘bitch.’ ​
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The Revolution Is Happening In Our Minds (1969) - An inspiring overview of the feminist currents and actions of the period, including accounts of legal challenges to abortion laws, protests against the commodification of women’s bodies, the formation of feminist theatres and publications, the organising of self-defence classes, the creation of consciousness-raising groups, and much more besides.​
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The Tyranny of Structurelessness (1971) - This seminal essay identifies how groups founded on well-meaning principles of egalitarian leaderlessness can come to be dominated by invisible hierarchies, which are more oppressive and less democratic than formally recognized ones. Widely referenced to this day, it remains an authoritative warning about the importance of accountability and direct democracy within activist groups.​