Full Breakdown
Robin Morgan, Pioneering Feminist Writer and Activist, Dies at 85
9/7/2026, 8:24:55 AM
Final Chapter: Death and Immediate Reactions
Robin Morgan died peacefully in her sleep on September 5, 2026 at a Manhattan hospital. The announcement came from her son Blake Morgan and Julie Burton, president and CEO of the Women’s Media Center, which Morgan co-founded. No cause of death was disclosed.
Life-Long Activism and Cultural Impact
Born January 29, 1941 in Lake Worth, Florida, Morgan began as a child star before leaving show business, attending Columbia University, and joining civil-rights and anti-Vietnam protests. Disillusioned with the male-dominated New Left, she helped launch New York Radical Women and the feminist theater group W.I.T.C.H.
In 1968 she organized the Miss America protest, designing the raised-fist symbol that became a feminist icon. The next year she edited “Sisterhood Is Powerful,” the first major anthology of feminist writing, later followed by “Sisterhood Is Global” (1984) and “Sisterhood Is Forever” (2002). She served as editor-in-chief of *Ms.* magazine (1989-1994) and, with Gloria Steinem and Jane Fonda, founded the Women’s Media Center in 2005. Her podcast Women’s Media Center Live with Robin Morgan reached its 500th episode in 2026.
Key Milestones
- January 29, 1941 – Birth in Lake Worth, Florida.
- 1968 – Co-organizes Miss America protest; creates raised-fist symbol.
- 1970 – Publishes *Sisterhood Is Powerful*.
- 1984 – Releases *Sisterhood Is Global*.
- 1989-1994 – Editor-in-chief of *Ms.* magazine.
- 2005 – Co-founds Women’s Media Center.
- 2026 – Podcast reaches 500 episodes; passes away September 5.
Quantitative Legacy
- Authored or edited more than 20 books.
- Produced 500 podcast episodes of *Women’s Media Center Live*.
- *Sisterhood Is Powerful* listed by the New York Public Library among the 100 Most Influential Books of the 20th Century.
Official Statements & Responses
Blake Morgan praised his mother’s ability to distill “very big ideas” into concise language and her lifelong commitment to activism. Jane Fonda called Morgan “a living legend” whose anthology series helped launch a feminist revolution and highlighted the Women’s Media Center’s role in expanding opportunities for women in media.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Robin Morgan was one of the architects of the contemporary women’s movement,” — Julie Burton, WMC CEO
- “I have learned so much from Robin over the years,” — Blake Morgan
- “Our job is to make women visible and powerful in the media,” — Robin Morgan, WMC co-founder
Why It Matters
Morgan linked poetry, journalism, and protest to reshape public discourse. Her anthologies amplified diverse voices and continue to influence activists and scholars. The Women’s Media Center carries forward her work by training women journalists, maintaining the SheSource expert database, and producing media that challenges sexism and racism. Her death, coming shortly after co-founder Gloria Steinem’s passing, underscores the urgency of preserving the institutions they built.
