Florynce Kennedy

Florynce Kennedy was a lawyer, activist, civil rights advocate, and feminist.

Early life

Florynce Rae Kennedy was born Febuary 11, 1916, in Kansas City. She had a seemingly casual childhood, though exposed to racism in her mostly white neighborhood. After high school, she worked many jobs including owning a hat shop and operating elevators.

Finally, in 1942, "Flo" (as she was called) began classes at Columbia University. She majored in pre-law. However, when she applied for law school in 1944, Columbia rejected her because of her gender, so Flo threatened to sue the school. Finally, they admitted her.

Activism

Kennedy married Charles Dye in 1957. She wasn't a fan of her marriage, saying of it's exclusive properties that "Why would you lock yourself in the bathroom just because you have to go three times a day?"

Some of her legendary law clients were Billie Holiday and Charlie Parker.

Her activism is divided into two parts: feminism and civil rights. In feminism, she often traveled with writer Gloria Steinem, talking to women in a speaking tour. If a man asked the pair if they were lesbians- a stereotype of feminists at the time- Flo would famously answer, "Are you my alternative?" In 1971 she founded the Feminist Party, which nominated Shirley Chisholm for president.

She is also known for her pro-choice activism on abortion, writing a book called Abortion Rap, and stating that "If men could get pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament."