Barbara Smith
Barbara Smith
Full Name and Common Aliases
Barbara Smith is a renowned American feminist, activist, and writer. She was born on October 12, 1946, in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York.
Birth and Death Dates
October 12, 1946 (born) - Present (died)
Nationality and Profession(s)
American; Feminist, Activist, Writer
Barbara Smith is a prominent figure in the feminist movement, known for her tireless efforts to promote equality and social justice. Throughout her career, she has worked as an educator, writer, and activist, using her voice to amplify marginalized voices.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Brooklyn during the 1950s and 1960s, Barbara Smith was exposed to the harsh realities of racism and sexism from a young age. Her experiences shaped her understanding of the interconnectedness of social justice movements and informed her future work as an activist. Smith's interest in feminism began in college, where she became involved with the women's liberation movement.
Major Accomplishments
Barbara Smith's contributions to the feminist movement are numerous and significant. Some of her most notable accomplishments include:
Co-founding the Combahee River Collective (CRC), a radical black feminist organization that sought to address the intersectionality of racism, sexism, and homophobia.
Publishing influential essays in anthologies such as "The Black Women's Health Book" and "All the Women Are White, All the Blacks Are Men, But Some of Us Are Brave."
Organizing and participating in numerous protests, rallies, and conferences throughout her career.Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works and actions by Barbara Smith include:
Co-editing the influential anthology "This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color," which highlighted the experiences of women of color.
Organizing the Combahee River Collective's statement on intersectionality, which has since become a foundational document for feminist theory.
Participating in the creation of the Black Feminist Organization (BFO), an organization dedicated to addressing the specific needs and concerns of black women.
Impact and Legacy
Barbara Smith's impact on the feminist movement is immeasurable. Her work has inspired generations of activists, writers, and scholars to prioritize intersectionality and address the complex issues faced by marginalized communities. Her legacy extends beyond her individual accomplishments, as she has helped create a culture of critical thinking and social justice that continues to shape contemporary debates.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Barbara Smith's words are widely quoted because they speak directly to the heart of feminist theory: intersectionality. Her insights on the interconnectedness of racism, sexism, homophobia, and classism have inspired a new generation of activists and scholars. As one of the most influential voices in contemporary feminism, Barbara Smith continues to inspire and educate readers through her writing and activism.
As we reflect on Barbara Smith's remarkable life and work, it becomes clear that her commitment to social justice has left an indelible mark on our collective understanding of the world. Her tireless efforts to amplify marginalized voices have paved the way for future generations of activists, writers, and scholars.
Quotes by Barbara Smith
A black feminist perspective has no use for ranking oppressions, but instead demonstrates the simultaneity of oppressions as they affect Third World women’s lives”.
Feminism is the political theory and practice that struggles to free all women: women of color, working-class women, poor women, disabled women, lesbians, old women – as well as white, economically privileged, heterosexual women. Anything less than this vision of total freedom is not feminism, but merely female self-aggrandizement.
We are certainly damaged people. The question is, finally, do we use that damage, that first-hand knowledge of oppression, to recognize each other, to do what work we can together? Or do we use it to destroy?
The chief advantage I see is it puts the responsibility and flexibility for managing time off in the hands of the employee.
The home was originally owned by the Phelps family. Guy Phelps, who originally owned it, was a veterinarian in Montgomery. Actually he was more like the veterinarian for Montgomery.
This helps (the students) in getting over their shyness of talking to adults and (shows them) how they need to open up.
I just can't understand why something like this would happen in the neighborhood. It makes you want to get more locks on the doors.
They will be doing interviews if they go directly into the job market and for summer jobs. And for those going to college, they might have to interview to get into a specific major or for a scholarship.
It'll probably bring it to the attention of more people. They seem to think we don't have a museum, even though we used to have it in the paper every week starting with 1972.