Robin Morgan, Child Star Turned Poet and Feminist

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 6, 2026

Robin Morgan, a pioneering feminist writer, activist, and editor known for shaping second-wave feminism and coining the term “herstory,” has died at age 85. Her passing marks the loss of a key figure behind landmark protests and influential feminist anthologies, whose work helped define the movement’s cultural and political identity.

Robin Morgan, a former child actress who rose to prominence as a poet, essayist, editor, and influential figure in the second-wave feminist movement, has died at the age of 85. She passed away Saturday in New York after a period of health complications, according to her son, Blake Morgan. Her death followed closely on the heels of that of longtime friend and fellow feminist advocate Gloria Steinem.

Morgan’s career spanned several decades during which she played a pivotal role in shaping feminist thought and activism in the 1960s and 1970s. Once known as the “ideal American girl” and “Little Robin Morgan” during her early years in entertainment, she later emerged as a committed activist challenging social norms and advocating for women’s rights. Throughout her life, Morgan blended her artistic talents with political engagement, leaving a lasting impact as both a creative and a social agitator.

She was a central figure in some of the most emblematic moments of the feminist movement. In 1968, Morgan helped organize the first protest against the Miss America pageant, where activists famously discarded items associated with female beauty standards into a “freedom Trash can,” a gesture often misunderstood and mythologized across history. Her 1970 anthology, "Sisterhood is Powerful," became a foundational text for modern feminism, followed by subsequent works including "Sisterhood is Global" (1984) and "Sisterhood is Forever" (2002), featuring contributions from leading feminists such as Steinem, Simone de Beauvoir, and Eve Ensler.

Morgan is credited with coining the term “herstory” as a feminist redefinition of history and is known for popularizing the clenched fist/female symbol widely adopted in liberation movements. Her poetry, including works like “Monster” and “Arraignment,” resonated deeply within the movement, linking art with activism. Notably, her couplet "I accuse/Ted Hughes," voiced criticism of the poet Ted Hughes following the death of his wife Sylvia Plath, influencing cultural works beyond feminist circles.

Her activism extended beyond women's issues. In 1970, Morgan was arrested after participating in an occupation of the Grove Press offices during a labor dispute. Throughout her life, she critiqued figures across the political spectrum, calling out behaviors she saw as contradictory or harmful, including addressing both libertines and radicals alike.

Morgan’s personal life reflected her rejection of strict labels. She described relationships with both men and women and was married for more than two decades to poet Kenneth Pitchford, with whom she had her son. She often spoke about resisting societal attempts to categorize her sexuality and identity.

In addition to her literary and activist endeavors, Morgan served as editor-in-chief of Ms. magazine, helped found feminist organizations such as New York Radical Women and Women’s International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell (W.I.T.C.H.), and later co-established the Sisterhood is Global Institute and the Women’s Media Center with Steinem and Jane Fonda to promote women’s visibility in media.

Despite being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 16 years ago, Morgan continued to write, speak, and engage with audiences, delivering a TEDWomen talk in 2015 inspired by her experiences with the illness. Her son recalled her unique ability to distill complex ideas into poetic expressions, capturing the enduring spirit and intellect that defined her legacy.

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