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Jan 03 2010

A large list of awesome female atheists

Categories:

atheism, feminism

by Jen

In a perfect world, we shouldn’t have to have a separate list for female atheist activists. Some commenters even said such a list was “patronizing” by insinuating that women couldn’t play with the big boys. But when other polls, lists, and posts seem to forget our existence, every little bit of awareness helps. We have just as insightful things to say, but we need people to listen. Once more people realize this, you’ll start seeing more females listed amongst the likes of Dawkins, Hitchins, Harris, Dennett, Myers, etc…

So, without further ado, here is a list of some great female atheists who you should check out if you haven’t already done so:

Authors/Journalists – Bloggers – Podcasters/Videobloggers – Activists – Comedians/Other

Authors/Journalists


Bloggers


Podcasters/Videobloggers


Activists


Comedians/Other

If you know someone who’s missing and you think deserves a shout out, let me know in the comments and I’ll add them. Or if I listed someone but didn’t link to their blog or a more relevant site, let me know. Consider this a growing reference!

To clarify, this list is for living women who are known for their vocal support of atheism, skepticism, and/or scientific thinking – or, likewise, speaking out against religion and supernatural beliefs. There are plenty of women who simply happen to be atheists but never ever speak about it – this isn’t intended for them.

A little backstory:

My previous post asked readers who they thought was the most influential female atheist of 2009 – and it has become very popular. All of the comments have reinforced one major theme: Too many incredible female atheist voices are unknown.

When I started to make a list of influential females, I asked around for names. Half of them I hadn’t even heard of, and some of them I was only vaguely familiar with. I did some Wikipediaing and Googling to try to figure out who should make it to the list. I didn’t want to exclude people just because I wasn’t personally familiar with them, but I didn’t want a list of 30 choices either. I tried to focus on active voices of 2009: those who had written new books, been consistently blogging, appeared on the news, etc.

Of course, I’m not perfect. Some excellent ladies didn’t make my poll because of inadequate research, my own obliviousness, or most likely a combination of both. Apparently the list was also very US-centric, which I promise was not intentional, but again a result of my own biases. And for every atheist woman I missed, there was someone on my list a reader hadn’t heard of. I think this lack of awareness speaks strongly. If a fellow godless lady who trumpets the importance of female voices in atheism doesn’t know so many of these people, how will everyone else?

My best solution at the moment is to make a giant list. I can’t make people click the links, follow the blogs, or even care – but I think it will help. In all the comments here and at other sites, I’ve seen a curiosity – a “Why haven’t I heard of these people before? Time to check them out!” So hopefully people will click the unfamiliar names on this list and find a new favorite blogger, author, activist, or whatever.

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234 comments

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  1. 1
    Egoist Paul

    January 3, 2010 at 4:45 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Diana Hsieh – http://www.dianahsieh.com

  2. 2
    Egoist Paul

    January 4, 2010 at 12:45 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Diana Hsieh – http://www.dianahsieh.com

  3. 3
    Anonymous

    January 3, 2010 at 5:15 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Sarah Silverman

  4. 4
    Anonymous

    January 4, 2010 at 1:15 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Sarah Silverman

  5. 5
    GodlessGirl

    January 3, 2010 at 5:16 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    What an honor to be part of this list. I now have many more women to read and follow! Great job, Jen.

  6. 6
    GodlessGirl

    January 4, 2010 at 1:16 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    What an honor to be part of this list. I now have many more women to read and follow! Great job, Jen.

  7. 7
    krissthesexyatheist

    January 3, 2010 at 5:23 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Oh yea, this is what I wuz talking 'bout. Excellent work .

    Heart Kriss

  8. 8
    kriss the sexy atheist

    January 4, 2010 at 1:23 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Oh yea, this is what I wuz talking ’bout. Excellent work . Heart Kriss

  9. 9
    Urban Wild Cat

    January 3, 2010 at 5:45 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Quick note, Laci Green's link points to ZOMGitsCriss' youtube page.

    I think you meant it to point here.

  10. 10
    Urban Wild Cat

    January 4, 2010 at 1:45 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Quick note, Laci Green’s link points to ZOMGitsCriss’ youtube page.I think you meant it to point here.

  11. 11
    Urban Wild Cat

    January 3, 2010 at 5:50 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Oops, correction, that's her old channel.

    New channel here.

  12. 12
    Urban Wild Cat

    January 4, 2010 at 1:50 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Oops, correction, that’s her old channel.New channel here.

  13. 13
    godlizard

    January 3, 2010 at 6:35 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Awesome list, must now go check them all out, while I contemplate how to become awesome myself (no I'm not hinting to get on the list, I've been blogging about atheism for about twelve and a half minutes so far, so I'm totally not worthy).

    But it is an inspiring list, and I thank you for compiling it :)

  14. 14
    BathTub

    January 3, 2010 at 6:56 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I think you have too many people now for a poll. So next year… A Mortal Kombat style tournament!

  15. 15
    BathTub

    January 4, 2010 at 2:56 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I think you have too many people now for a poll. So next year… A Mortal Kombat style tournament!

  16. 16
    Xuxana

    January 3, 2010 at 7:21 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Yay, Leah! You're on the list. And deservedly so :)

    Hope my blog can be as outspokenly Non-Theist as these on the list someday too, when my f&f can see fit to not give me such 'hell' about it!

  17. 17
    Xuxana

    January 4, 2010 at 3:21 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Yay, Leah! You’re on the list. And deservedly so :)Hope my blog can be as outspokenly Non-Theist as these on the list someday too, when my f&f can see fit to not give me such ‘hell’ about it!

  18. 18
    Leah

    January 3, 2010 at 7:29 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Oh my Google! I'm on a list!

  19. 19
    Leah Elliott Hauge

    January 4, 2010 at 3:29 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Oh my Google! I’m on a list!

  20. 20
    Rev. Ouabache

    January 3, 2010 at 7:56 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    That is an impressive list. I've really been enjoying Attempts at Rational Behavior's blog lately. And I should probably turn in my skeptic card for not realizing that Podblack is Kylie Sturgis. Maybe I should start listening to their blog.

  21. 21
    Rev. Ouabache

    January 4, 2010 at 3:56 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    That is an impressive list. I’ve really been enjoying Attempts at Rational Behavior’s blog lately. And I should probably turn in my skeptic card for not realizing that Podblack is Kylie Sturgis. Maybe I should start listening to their blog.

  22. 22
    Egoist Paul

    January 3, 2010 at 8:34 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Nicole Smalkowski

  23. 23
    Egoist Paul

    January 4, 2010 at 4:34 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Nicole Smalkowski

  24. 24
    bree

    January 3, 2010 at 8:34 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Signy ex-Muslim atheist blogger at http://ofglitnir.wordpress.com and defunct atheist ex-Muslim blog Kafir Girl http://kafirgirl.wordpress.com. I think it's especially important to support ex-Muslim bloggers, of either gender, because they speak out under threat and/or extreme pressure, and many of them give up blogging. Kafir girl's blog has an open comment area where other atheist bloggers have left links.

  25. 25
    bree

    January 4, 2010 at 4:34 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Signy ex-Muslim atheist blogger at http://ofglitnir.wordpress.com and defunct atheist ex-Muslim blog Kafir Girl http://kafirgirl.wordpress.com. I think it’s especially important to support ex-Muslim bloggers, of either gender, because they speak out under threat and/or extreme pressure, and many of them give up blogging. Kafir girl’s blog has an open comment area where other atheist bloggers have left links.

  26. 26
    Angie Jackson

    January 3, 2010 at 9:03 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Hey thanks for including me! FYI it's singular Anti-Theist with no "s" on the end :)

    I'm also doing Videoblogging now at http://www.youtube.com/user/AngieAntiTheist I'm sure women here will be able to identify with how frustrating some of the feedback I get is. When a man can't actually keep up with me intellectually, invariably, he insults my appearance or calls me a whore. What the fuck does using my brain to think rationally have to do with being a paid sex worker???

    *ahem* Thanks again.

  27. 27
    Angie Jackson

    January 4, 2010 at 5:03 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Hey thanks for including me! FYI it’s singular Anti-Theist with no “s” on the end :)I’m also doing Videoblogging now at http://www.youtube.com/user/An… I’m sure women here will be able to identify with how frustrating some of the feedback I get is. When a man can’t actually keep up with me intellectually, invariably, he insults my appearance or calls me a whore. What the fuck does using my brain to think rationally have to do with being a paid sex worker??? *ahem* Thanks again.

  28. 28
    Podblack

    January 4, 2010 at 1:29 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Thanks for the mention! I've just emailed you with corrected link to my blog. I'd suggest Desiree Schell of the Skeptically Speaking radio show? And the great Helen Razer, who is a writer, radio host and cultural commentator in Australia.

    There's also other great women who will be either speaking as individuals or as a part of a dedicated panel at the Global Atheist Conference in March. As well as the previously mentioned Catherine Deveny; Jane Caro, Taslima Nasrin, Sue-Ann Post, Lyn Allison, Leslie Cannold, Maggie Millar and Tanya Levin. :)

  29. 29
    Podblack

    January 4, 2010 at 9:29 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Thanks for the mention! I’ve just emailed you with corrected link to my blog. I’d suggest Desiree Schell of the Skeptically Speaking radio show? And the great Helen Razer, who is a writer, radio host and cultural commentator in Australia. There’s also other great women who will be either speaking as individuals or as a part of a dedicated panel at the Global Atheist Conference in March. As well as the previously mentioned Catherine Deveny; Jane Caro, Taslima Nasrin, Sue-Ann Post, Lyn Allison, Leslie Cannold, Maggie Millar and Tanya Levin. :)

  30. 30
    Ian Andreas Miller

    January 4, 2010 at 3:37 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    What a great new list!

  31. 31
    Ian Andreas Miller

    January 4, 2010 at 11:37 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    What a great new list!

  32. 32
    vjack

    January 4, 2010 at 4:16 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Very nice. You've compiled a great list of blogs to check out. I'm familiar with many, but there are several that are new to me as well. I'll have fun reading.

  33. 33
    vjack

    January 4, 2010 at 12:16 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Very nice. You’ve compiled a great list of blogs to check out. I’m familiar with many, but there are several that are new to me as well. I’ll have fun reading.

  34. 34
    chicago dyke

    January 4, 2010 at 6:00 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    thanks so much for that excellent list. i'm always looking for new writers and bloggers, and it's hard to get a better combo than feminist atheists.

    of course, this means i'm going to get exactly no real work done today. ;-)

  35. 35
    chicago dyke

    January 4, 2010 at 2:00 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    thanks so much for that excellent list. i’m always looking for new writers and bloggers, and it’s hard to get a better combo than feminist atheists. of course, this means i’m going to get exactly no real work done today. ;-)

  36. 36
    Ophelia Benson

    January 4, 2010 at 6:29 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Great list.

    One more: Katha Pollitt. She rocks.

  37. 37
    Swoopy

    January 4, 2010 at 8:45 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Heidi Anderson – not only an atheist but a parent, raising freethinking kids. She blogs at thefatoneinthemiddle.typepad.com

    And yes, Kylie Sturgess should also definitely be on this list. :)

  38. 38
    Swoopy

    January 4, 2010 at 4:45 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Heidi Anderson – not only an atheist but a parent, raising freethinking kids. She blogs at thefatoneinthemiddle.typepad.c…And yes, Kylie Sturgess should also definitely be on this list. :)

  39. 39
    Anonymous

    January 4, 2010 at 8:58 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Emma Goldman:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Goldman/

  40. 40
    Anonymous

    January 4, 2010 at 4:58 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Emma Goldman:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E…

  41. 41
    Ray Hauge

    January 4, 2010 at 9:03 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Here are a few more suggestions, though I don't think they ever had blogs :)

    Elizabeth Cady Stanton – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_cady_stanton

    Rebecca West – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca_West

    Emma Goldman – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_goldman

    Margaret Sanger – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Sanger

  42. 42
    Ray Hauge

    January 4, 2010 at 5:03 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Here are a few more suggestions, though I don’t think they ever had blogs :)Elizabeth Cady Stanton – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E…Rebecca West – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R…Emma Goldman – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E…Margaret Sanger – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M…

  43. 43
    Jim Frisby

    January 4, 2010 at 9:29 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    The women of negative entropy are pretty awesome, if I may say so.

  44. 44
    Jim Frisby

    January 4, 2010 at 5:29 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    The women of negative entropy are pretty awesome, if I may say so.

  45. 45
    Kylyssa Shay

    January 4, 2010 at 9:31 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Wow, I'm flattered to be on the list. Thank you!

    Now, I'm off to check out all of these blogs!

  46. 46
    Kylyssa Shay

    January 4, 2010 at 5:31 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Wow, I’m flattered to be on the list. Thank you!Now, I’m off to check out all of these blogs!

  47. 47
    James

    January 4, 2010 at 12:02 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Great List. Thank you. I was glad to see you included Jennifer Michael Hecht, who wrote a wonderful; book all atheists/agnostics/doubters/freethinkers/skeptics should read called "Doubt: A History". It will make you understand that the most interesting people (by far) in the history of human thinking have been the doubters.

  48. 48
    James

    January 4, 2010 at 8:02 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Great List. Thank you. I was glad to see you included Jennifer Michael Hecht, who wrote a wonderful; book all atheists/agnostics/doubters/freethinkers/skeptics should read called “Doubt: A History”. It will make you understand that the most interesting people (by far) in the history of human thinking have been the doubters.

  49. 49
    Sili

    January 4, 2010 at 1:46 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Sastra, OM of Pharyngular fame needs to be on this list.

    So everyone get her to start/use her own blog.

    SC, OM is a voice to reckon with as well: http://saltycurrent.blogspot.com/

  50. 50
    Sili

    January 4, 2010 at 9:46 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Sastra, OM of Pharyngular fame needs to be on this list.So everyone get her to start/use her own blog.SC, OM is a voice to reckon with as well: http://saltycurrent.blogspot.c…

  51. 51
    Maia Caron

    January 4, 2010 at 1:52 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Thanks Jen, for including me on this list. I don't think I've seen a comprehensive list of women atheists anywhere. I'll be sure to check out many of these names who are new to me. What a great community of freethinking women.

  52. 52
    Maia Caron

    January 4, 2010 at 9:52 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Thanks Jen, for including me on this list. I don’t think I’ve seen a comprehensive list of women atheists anywhere. I’ll be sure to check out many of these names who are new to me. What a great community of freethinking women.

  53. 53
    Anonymous

    January 4, 2010 at 3:24 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Awesome list! There's also a band called Team Smile and Nod. The singer/songwriter is an atheist. I recommend their song "Scrooge". http://www.myspace.com/teamsmileandnod

  54. 54
    jose

    January 4, 2010 at 3:46 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Kafir Girl disappeared without a word 1 year ago. Disturbing.

  55. 55
    jose

    January 4, 2010 at 11:46 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Kafir Girl disappeared without a word 1 year ago. Disturbing.

  56. 56
    jose

    January 4, 2010 at 4:10 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    btw, you totally should include Ms. Paula Z. Myers.

  57. 57
    jose

    January 5, 2010 at 12:10 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    btw, you totally should include Ms. Paula Z. Myers.

  58. 58
    Podblack

    January 4, 2010 at 5:06 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Where's Swoopy? http://www.skepticality.com! Need more Swoopy! :)

  59. 59
    Podblack

    January 5, 2010 at 1:06 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Where’s Swoopy? http://www.skepticality.com! Need more Swoopy! :)

  60. 60
    A at R B

    January 4, 2010 at 6:21 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Wow!! Thank you so much for the mention!!!

  61. 61
    A at R B

    January 5, 2010 at 2:21 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Wow!! Thank you so much for the mention!!!

  62. 62
    Anonymous

    January 5, 2010 at 3:45 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Amanda Gulledge, winner of the Good Without God essay on raising freethinking children.

  63. 63
    Anonymous

    January 5, 2010 at 11:45 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Amanda Gulledge, winner of the Good Without God essay on raising freethinking children.

  64. 64
    Lyz

    January 5, 2010 at 6:28 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Hehe, you think I don't explode. I only explode in the privacy of my office. You should see it sometime. ;)

    Anyway, Maggie Ardiente is the Development Director at the American Humanist Association and she has done some really great work in that role.

  65. 65
    Lyz

    January 5, 2010 at 2:28 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Hehe, you think I don’t explode. I only explode in the privacy of my office. You should see it sometime. ;)Anyway, Maggie Ardiente is the Development Director at the American Humanist Association and she has done some really great work in that role.

  66. 66
    Renee Hendricks

    January 5, 2010 at 10:31 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Thanks so much for this extensive list! I'm always on the prowl for adding new atheist bloggers to read and it's a treat having a list of all women to choose from!

  67. 67
    Renee Hendricks

    January 5, 2010 at 6:31 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Thanks so much for this extensive list! I’m always on the prowl for adding new atheist bloggers to read and it’s a treat having a list of all women to choose from!

  68. 68
    Miranda Celeste Hale

    January 5, 2010 at 3:41 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Thank you for the mention :) I really appreciate it!

  69. 69
    Miranda Celeste Hale

    January 5, 2010 at 11:41 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Thank you for the mention :) I really appreciate it!

  70. 70
    Desiree

    January 5, 2010 at 7:30 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    This makes me all squishy. Thanks so much for the mention!

  71. 71
    Desiree

    January 6, 2010 at 3:30 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    This makes me all squishy. Thanks so much for the mention!

  72. 72
    iHumanist

    January 6, 2010 at 4:04 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Please don't forget us – me and my team of atheist women over in Scotland: June Maxwell, Director of Humanist Academy. We're doing our best to educate people out of the god mire.

  73. 73
    Glasgow Humanist

    January 6, 2010 at 12:04 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Please don’t forget us – me and my team of atheist women over in Scotland: June Maxwell, Director of Humanist Academy. We’re doing our best to educate people out of the god mire.

  74. 74
    The Science Pundit

    January 6, 2010 at 9:23 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    How did you miss Nica Lalli?

    Great list by the way!

  75. 75
    The Science Pundit

    January 6, 2010 at 5:23 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    How did you miss Nica Lalli?Great list by the way!

  76. 76
    Anonymous

    January 6, 2010 at 9:57 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    How about Dame Helen Mirren? You know, the Oscar winning actress.

  77. 77
    Anonymous

    January 6, 2010 at 5:57 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    How about Dame Helen Mirren? You know, the Oscar winning actress.

  78. 78
    Bob O'Hara

    January 6, 2010 at 9:59 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Grrlscientist is also an atheist and blogger. I think she's awesome. But then I did marry her, so I might be biased.

  79. 79
    Bob O'Hara

    January 6, 2010 at 5:59 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Grrlscientist is also an atheist and blogger. I think she’s awesome. But then I did marry her, so I might be biased.

  80. 80
    Anonymous

    January 6, 2010 at 10:00 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Annie Margis at http://www.Godishness.com

  81. 81
    Anonymous

    January 6, 2010 at 10:01 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    How about Emma Thompson? You know, the two-time Oscar winning actress.

  82. 82
    Anonymous

    January 6, 2010 at 6:01 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    How about Emma Thompson? You know, the two-time Oscar winning actress.

  83. 83
    Anonymous

    January 6, 2010 at 10:03 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Zom Gits Criss on You Tube: Active vocal female atheist.

  84. 84
    Anonymous

    January 6, 2010 at 6:03 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Zom Gits Criss on You Tube: Active vocal female atheist.

  85. 85
    Anonymous

    January 6, 2010 at 10:05 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    How about Amanda Donohoe? I don't she has won an Oscar. Yet.

  86. 86
    Anonymous

    January 6, 2010 at 6:05 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    How about Amanda Donohoe? I don’t she has won an Oscar. Yet.

  87. 87
    SUIRAUQA

    January 6, 2010 at 10:14 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I agree wholeheartedly. It is such a great list and painstakingly made, too. My reading list is much, much enhanced now.

  88. 88
    SUIRAUQA

    January 6, 2010 at 6:14 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I agree wholeheartedly. It is such a great list and painstakingly made, too. My reading list is much, much enhanced now.

  89. 89
    Swampfoot

    January 6, 2010 at 11:38 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Janeane Garofolo!

    A fine Atheist thinker.

  90. 90
    Swampfoot

    January 6, 2010 at 7:38 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Janeane Garofolo!A fine Atheist thinker.

  91. 91
    Anonymous

    January 6, 2010 at 12:17 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Toni van Pelt and Lauren Becker of the Center for Inquiry.

  92. 92
    Karen

    January 6, 2010 at 1:58 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Jes Constantine is co-host of the Humanist Network News podcast, sponsored by the American Humanist Assn.

  93. 93
    Karen

    January 6, 2010 at 9:58 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Jes Constantine is co-host of the Humanist Network News podcast, sponsored by the American Humanist Assn.

  94. 94
    Anonymous

    January 6, 2010 at 2:26 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    http://www.evolvedrational.com/

  95. 95
    Anonymous

    January 6, 2010 at 10:26 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    http://www.evolvedrational.com…

  96. 96
    Laura- The Redheadedskeptic

    January 6, 2010 at 3:01 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I am noticed! Lol! Thanks for writing me down! (My last name is Talley. In case anyone cares, which they probably don't, haha)

  97. 97
    Laura- The Redheadedskeptic

    January 6, 2010 at 11:01 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I am noticed! Lol! Thanks for writing me down! (My last name is Talley. In case anyone cares, which they probably don’t, haha)

  98. 98
    Jeff Sherry

    January 6, 2010 at 3:33 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Great list, but what about Ann Druyan?

  99. 99
    JefFlyingV

    January 6, 2010 at 11:33 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Great list, but what about Ann Druyan?

  100. 100
    Ajita

    January 6, 2010 at 7:48 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Nice list. Here are three you don't have up:Madalyn Murray O'HairMarkella HatzianoMeera Nanda

  101. 101
    Christine Vyrnon

    January 6, 2010 at 11:31 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Inspirational. Thanks for compiling this!

  102. 102
    Christine Vyrnon

    January 7, 2010 at 7:31 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Inspirational. Thanks for compiling this!

  103. 103
    Anonymous

    January 7, 2010 at 7:32 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    @Lauruhpalooza

  104. 104
    Anonymous

    January 7, 2010 at 3:32 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    @Lauruhpalooza

  105. 105
    Nohm

    January 7, 2010 at 8:46 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Is Barbara Forrest (sp?), from the Dover trial, a non-believer? If so, I'd definitely put her on this list, as she's the person who introduced us all to the "cdesign proponentsists".

  106. 106
    Nohm

    January 8, 2010 at 4:46 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Is Barbara Forrest (sp?), from the Dover trial, a non-believer? If so, I’d definitely put her on this list, as she’s the person who introduced us all to the “cdesign proponentsists”.

  107. 107
    Anonymous

    January 8, 2010 at 12:34 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Angelina Jolie? Jodie Foster? Meryl Streep?

  108. 108
    Anonymous

    January 8, 2010 at 8:34 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Angelina Jolie? Jodie Foster? Meryl Streep?

  109. 109
    Anonymous

    January 8, 2010 at 7:10 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Lois Porter, founding member and past president of Washington Area Secular Humanists

    Jennifer Kalmanson, coordinator of the MDC chapter of Washington Area Secular Humanists and board member, secular celebrant.

    Michelle Goldberg, author

  110. 110
    Anonymous

    January 8, 2010 at 3:10 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Lois Porter, founding member and past president of Washington Area Secular HumanistsJennifer Kalmanson, coordinator of the MDC chapter of Washington Area Secular Humanists and board member, secular celebrant.Michelle Goldberg, author

  111. 111
    Marlene Winell

    January 8, 2010 at 5:42 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Hello Jen,This is a great list. Thanks for including me.Marlene Winell

  112. 112
    Sili

    January 10, 2010 at 7:24 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Do agnostics count?: Pam Spaulding

    The journalist who just interviewed PeeZed seem pretty awesome, too: Carrie Poppy

    (And, yes, I think she looks cute, but that's not why I suggest her.)

  113. 113
    Sili

    January 10, 2010 at 3:24 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Do agnostics count?: Pam SpauldingThe journalist who just interviewed PeeZed seem pretty awesome, too: Carrie Poppy(And, yes, I think she looks cute, but that’s not why I suggest her.)

  114. 114
    Whitney

    January 10, 2010 at 7:29 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    There are a lot of women involved in running camp quests and I don't think I saw their names http://www.camp-quest.org

  115. 115
    Whitney

    January 10, 2010 at 3:29 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    There are a lot of women involved in running camp quests and I don’t think I saw their names http://www.camp-quest.org

  116. 116
    Whitney

    January 10, 2010 at 7:33 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Nevermind, I now see amanda's name. Missed it before

  117. 117
    Whitney

    January 10, 2010 at 3:33 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Nevermind, I now see amanda’s name. Missed it before

  118. 118
    Anonymous

    January 11, 2010 at 3:09 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I did not read all the comments so I do not know if she was mentioned but you should include Mynga Futrell. She is one of the co-founders (along with Paul Geisert) of the brights movement. She is the president of Atheist and Other Freethinkers and a member of the board of directors for the American Humanist Association. She works in education and tries to improve ways in which separation of church and state can be more effectively taught in classrooms.

  119. 119
    Reba Boyd Wooden

    January 11, 2010 at 8:15 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Just an update. Lauren Becker has been promoted to Vice President for Outreach for Center for Inquiry Transnational. Reba Boyd Wooden

  120. 120
    Reba Boyd Wooden

    January 11, 2010 at 4:15 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Just an update. Lauren Becker has been promoted to Vice President for Outreach for Center for Inquiry Transnational. Reba Boyd Wooden

  121. 121
    Anonymous

    April 17, 2010 at 5:11 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Who are any of these people? Really?

  122. 122
    tstough

    April 24, 2010 at 4:24 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I actually know a bunch of these ladies. Woohoo! Great list. I’m a fan of your blog just from this post.

  123. 123
    Ryan Cameron

    April 26, 2010 at 10:44 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Here are over 4000 more awesome female atheists:http://www.atheistnexus.org/pr…

  124. 124
    dean cameron

    April 26, 2010 at 4:53 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    julie mullen & jessie marion who run the “rational moms” blog.

  125. 125
    DyNama

    April 27, 2010 at 4:52 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    how about Rechelle Malin? she’s the former “christian shit-head”, as she calls herself, who publicly lost her faith on her blog at [email protected].

  126. 126
    Tarras Bulba

    April 27, 2010 at 10:58 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I always find ‘activists’ of any sort interesting … they end up being the other side of the same coin.Blogging – The quick and dirty way to become a socially acceptable attention whore (or stud?). It’s healthy to be sceptical, but false senses of accomplishments revolve around doing something for the sake of it . . .Try not to get too religious about being an atheist ;)(Oh .. and so what if they’re women? I thought we lived in the modern age where all animals are equal . . . ah . . . point taken . . . some animals are MORE equal than others.)

  127. 127
    murmur55

    April 29, 2010 at 2:20 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    @murmur55: atheist turned anti-theist cleaning up Jew-doo and Priest-poo…not by choice

  128. 128
    Bruce

    May 1, 2010 at 12:00 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Barbara Forrest is indeed atheist, but she doesn’t really advertise as such.

  129. 129
    Mindy

    May 1, 2010 at 8:43 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I don’t know how much she makes it part of her public persona, but Loretta Ross from SisterSong made my decade at a NOW conference when she introduced herself as, among other things, an “out atheist.” At that time I didn’t know any black female atheists, and I was thrilled to hear it!

  130. 130
    Dale Husband

    May 13, 2010 at 4:40 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    You said: “this list is for living women who are known for their vocal support of atheism, skepticism, and/or scientific thinking – or, likewise, speaking out against religion and supernatural beliefs.”That’s good to know, because then I will never see Madalyn O’Hair on it. She may have been exactly what you described, but her hateful attitude towards people that differed from her so damaged the credibility of atheism that I wish she had never existed! Indeed, she fit the commonly held stereotype of the Angry Atheist so perfectly that one of her own sons disowned her and became a Christian!

  131. 131
    Cora Judd

    May 14, 2010 at 7:36 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Great list. How about the laurel-laden Dr. Rebecca Goldstein? Erudite academician and author of the acclaimed ’36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction’ and wife of Steven Pinker, well known evolutionary biologist. Great interview of her in New Humanist, May issue. She rocks!

  132. 132
    R. R.

    May 23, 2010 at 2:16 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Susan B. Anthony!!!

  133. 133
    Online Shopping Mall

    June 8, 2010 at 2:36 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Interesting bunch of names!

  134. 134
    schaffmc

    June 10, 2010 at 3:01 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I can’t believe this one got missed! She’s not alive any longer, but very influential and a well-known Atheist — Ayn Rand.

  135. 135
    Guest

    June 14, 2010 at 7:44 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    What about Sachiko McLean?http://www.sachikospace.com/en…Yes, her methods are highly unusual – she is a nude model who uses her body as a means of educating people about religion, atheism, secularism, humanism etc. while they have their pants down, so to speak, but I think this is a highly effective way of reaching people who might not otherwise learn about this stuff. Her new YouTube channel also uses this as a subversive, clever and frankly hilarious way of pointing out the absurdities of the Bible. Yes, she also uses her body as a means of funding her internet activities, but there’s nothing wrong with that, and she has to pay the bills like everyone else. The point is, she’s getting the atheist message out there in a highly entertaining and I think effective way, and her blog is a fantastic read, with some very intelligent articles – try this one, for example:http://www.sachikospace.com/en…It seems that because she is a nude/adult model, she doesn’t get the respect she deserves from the mainstream atheist community.

  136. 136
    Welsh Atheist

    July 7, 2010 at 11:38 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Julia Gillard – the new Prime Minister of Australia is… an athiest.yeah go girl. Check out the recent Australian press.

  137. 137
    ZachsMind

    July 31, 2010 at 11:48 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I wanna be on this list! ..but I have a penis. =( I don’t really use it anymore.. much..

  138. 138
    Dale O'Flaherty

    August 1, 2010 at 3:27 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    No one mentioned Meera Nanda!http://newhumanist.org.uk/973/…http://newhumanist.org.uk/1731…

  139. 139
    roberta cook

    August 3, 2010 at 1:20 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Dany Darling- http://www.thebigcigarette.com

  140. 140
    Fiona

    September 6, 2010 at 9:25 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Awesome. Shall be scouring this list for inspiration.

  141. 141
    Jes Constantine

    September 10, 2010 at 7:50 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Thanks so much for including me on this list! I hope to interview some others on our podcast (formerly the Humanist Network News): the Humanist Hour.

  142. 142
    tootlepip

    October 22, 2010 at 4:59 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Samantha Stein- http://samanthastein.wordpress…Camp director of Camp Quest in the UK

  143. 143
    Guest

    November 2, 2010 at 3:47 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    You’ve got Rebecca Watson listed twice…

  144. 144
    astrosmash

    November 2, 2010 at 4:56 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Did I miss Julia Sweeney on the list?

  145. 145
    astrosmash

    November 2, 2010 at 4:57 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Yes I did.

  146. 146
    Sarah

    November 2, 2010 at 7:05 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Ani DiFranco.

  147. 147
    Monica Kirkhart-Mason Waggoner

    November 2, 2010 at 8:17 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Bobbie Kirkhart – http://www.bobbiekirkhart.comPast president of Atheist Alliance International; serves on the board of Secular Coalition for America (and a founding member); co-president of Atheists United, a local atheist organization in Los Angeles; also serves on the board of Camp Quest, I think.Her website is a little out of date… but that’s probably her daughter’s fault. ;-)

  148. 148
    Larro

    November 2, 2010 at 9:37 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    What about historical female atheists?Ernestine Rose

  149. 149
    Margaret Morgan

    November 3, 2010 at 4:04 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Me! Margaret Morgan, science blogger, biologist and former lawyer. Blog: http://www.growingpassion.org

  150. 150
    a grrrl

    November 3, 2010 at 4:07 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Me too? Rebekah Bennetch: former fundy, raging atheist, mama of toddler, periodic ranter at Grrrl Meets World: http://www.grrrlmeetsworld.com…

  151. 151
    LadyAtheist

    November 4, 2010 at 2:47 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Not famous and only “out” with people I know but for what it’s worth: http://ladyatheist.blogspot.co…

  152. 152
    Heathenmommy

    November 4, 2010 at 3:14 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Jamila Bey is an NPR producer and standup comedian from Washington DC and she is black.

  153. 153
    Charles Stevens

    November 4, 2010 at 8:37 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I love that you have Taslima Nasrim on the list! She has a particularly eye-opening story.

  154. 154
    Stu Minnis

    November 4, 2010 at 1:11 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Excellent list, but I lol’d at Carolyn Porco…”comedian/other”

  155. 155
    Ashleyfmiller

    November 4, 2010 at 2:25 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I’m probably not all that notable but I do blog a lot about atheism and skeptics and contribute to shethought fairly regularly… and phil plait got in an argument with me that one time and I got phayngulated that other time.Http://ashleyfmiller.wordpress…

  156. 156
    Madeira

    November 4, 2010 at 7:38 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    http://thepeacockangel.tumblr…. I’m an atheist, feminist, lesbian, who writes about feminism, sex, atheism, morality, and LGBTQ issues

  157. 157
    Heidi McClure

    November 4, 2010 at 7:59 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I’m definitely not notable, and I tend toward thinking out loud/mind ramblings, but if you’re interested in adding me:http://secularwoman.blogspot.c…

  158. 158
    A guest

    November 4, 2010 at 9:54 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I wou ld love suggestions for magazines that regularly feature atheist women’s writings!

  159. 159
    Easysqueezy

    November 4, 2010 at 11:44 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Amy Alkon.http://www.advicegoddess.com/a…

  160. 160
    Luciano

    November 5, 2010 at 7:05 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Please check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…where you can see some of the work that is been done here in Italy by Sabina Guzzanti, actress, comedian, filmmaker and activist. Penn&Teller show how important was her attack on the Vatican, and how the Italian establishment came down on her.

  161. 161
    Darkchilde

    November 5, 2010 at 9:28 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I am not very notable either, but I keep a blog and have talked about my atheism in some of the posts: http://tenebra98.blogspot.comI also am a founding member of the new Greek Atheist Union. If you check the English blog of the greek atheist community, some of my blog entries have been featured there: http://english.atheia.grThere is another very notable female member writing for the greek atheist community, she goes by the name Aorati Melani (which translated means “Invisible Ink”)Edit: My real name is Paraskevi Oppio, and I usually go with the nickname Darkchilde.

  162. 162
    AC

    November 5, 2010 at 6:28 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Shazia Mirza – Comedian

  163. 163
    Eva, supermod.

    November 5, 2010 at 7:05 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Oh My Dawg!!!! You forgot Judith Hayes!!!!!!!!

  164. 164
    Max

    November 6, 2010 at 8:13 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Fantastic list. Although she died in the last few weeks, can I suggest the British author and journalist Claire Rayner?Thank you.

  165. 165
    @Chazdrums

    November 7, 2010 at 7:50 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Awesomeness. Female Atheist Power.

  166. 166
    Sweetwillygc71

    November 7, 2010 at 10:03 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    http://www.freethoughtfilmfest…

  167. 167
    Guest

    November 9, 2010 at 3:13 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old’s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.

  168. 168
    Guest

    November 9, 2010 at 3:18 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I would like to nominate Dr. Leslie Griffin: http://religionrogue.blogspot…. . She holds the Larry and Joanne Doherty Chair in Legal Ethics at the University of Houston Law Center, where she teaches constitutional law, law and religion, torts, and professional responsibility.

  169. 169
    Styles2281

    November 9, 2010 at 8:26 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Love her or hate her, Ayn Rand should probably added to the list.

  170. 170
    Deeptracks

    November 14, 2010 at 1:52 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Mina Ahadi founder and coordinator of the International Committees against Execution and Stoning (http://stopstonningnow.com).She has won the National Secular Society’s 2007 Secularist of the Year award.Mina Ahadi Co-founded the Central Council of Ex-Muslims in Germany(http://www.ex-muslime.de/) which has since opened branches in Britain, Scandinavia and the Netherlands.She wrote a book about her deconversion , “Ich habe abgeschworen” published in 2008 in Germany by Heyne (http://www.randomhouse.de/book…

  171. 171
    Gorilla Atheist

    November 15, 2010 at 2:18 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    You should look into adding Diana Agorio

  172. 172
    Jon

    November 23, 2010 at 8:14 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I would respect a complete list a lot more. It would add those who should not be omitted because of gender. As long as you are writing a female list instead of a human list, you are participating in the very division you seek to rectify. Not that I don’t see the issue to overcome, but the day you speak of can begin today, if we will only start it. But alas I guess it’s still get-back time. Sigh.

  173. 173
    Todd Stiefel

    December 17, 2010 at 1:39 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I would like to third the addition of Barbara Forrest. She is on the board of the New Orleans Secular Humanist Association (http://www.nosha.info/who.html…, so she is a nontheist. She is also a rock star in the defense of evolution in education. Check out this brief bio from the National Center for Science Education: http://ncse.com/about/speakers

  174. 174
    Dean Morrison

    December 30, 2010 at 5:41 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    ZOMGitscriss really deserves to be on the list of video bloggers:http://www.youtube.com/user/ZO…

  175. 175
    Darkhorse

    December 31, 2010 at 9:50 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Well done and Happy New Year to you and all your fellow female atheists. The world will become a much better place when people become enlightened sufficiently to realise that religion is the greatest con job ever perpetrated against humanity.

  176. 176
    Oldman

    December 31, 2010 at 10:41 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Ditto.

  177. 177
    Jim

    January 1, 2011 at 5:01 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Great list – and blog! A wonderful trove for atheistic exploration. Women have been and are the most demeaned and abused by religion and I salute all these fighters who aren’t going to take it anymore.A couple suggestions for the list:Anne Nicol Gaylor (with her daughter Annie Laurie) co-founded the Freedom from Religion Foundation (ffrf.org) in 1978; it is the largest atheist-freethinker organization in the country and probably the most influential (depending on your definition); she is also an author: “Lead Us Not into Penn Station”, among others; she founded and is still runs the Women’s Medical Fund in Madison, WI which helps women in need afford abortions. She was pre-Internet, but highly visible in print media for 25+ years. She shoulda been in the poll.Annie Laurie Gaylor should also be listed as an AUTHOR (“Woe to the women, the Bible tells me so” (1981), “Betrayal of trust: Clergy’s abuse of children” (1988), “Women Without Superstition: The Collected Writings of Women Freethinkers of the 19th and 20th Centuries” (1997) and as a BROADCASTER/PODCASTER: Freethought Radio (see ffrf.org)Thanks and please continue to grow the list.

  178. 178
    Agold122248

    January 3, 2011 at 4:19 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    The wonderful Margaret Downey gets my vote for whatever category or award there is.

  179. 179
    Rose Schwartz

    January 7, 2011 at 7:05 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I do feel left out. http://jewmanist.com

  180. 180
    Steve

    January 16, 2011 at 4:15 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Great list! A suggestion for addition: Opera and pop singer Markella (markella.com) is outspoken about her non-belief, has been interviewed by Dan and Annie Laurie on Freethought radio ( http://ffrf.org/news/radio/sho… ) and has recorded numerous freethought songs such as God Delusion, Born Again, The Odyssey: If I Were God and Imaginary Friend.

  181. 181
    Paradigmo Incognito

    January 20, 2011 at 11:11 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    There is a striking lack of real talent in the list above. I don’t see any author on level with say Margaret Atwood. You rather make the case for atheists lacking imagination. It’s very hard to find atheist writers and artists who have created anything of lasting power.

  182. 182
    Michael Mills

    January 30, 2011 at 10:18 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Have I missed Gia Milonovich here? Otherwise her blog is at: http://www.giagia.co.uk/

  183. 183
    thepeat

    February 3, 2011 at 2:16 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Wanda Sykes

  184. 184
    Davecortesi

    February 17, 2011 at 3:58 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Don’t know if she’s an out atheist but she’s a 14-karat skeptic: Dr. Amy Tuteur, the Skeptical OB (http://skepticalob.blogspot.co…

  185. 185
    BBGunn

    February 17, 2011 at 12:51 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Amy Rohren from the “Mr. Deity” series.

  186. 186
    DougF

    February 17, 2011 at 2:12 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Dr Rachael Dunlop @DrRachie. Skeptic. Relentless and successful campaigner against the anti-vax Australian Vaccination Network and S-CAMs .

  187. 187
    Carlie

    February 20, 2011 at 9:48 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    KimDonesia is no longer blogging from what I can tell.

  188. 188
    Anna Helen Johnhstone

    February 22, 2011 at 3:30 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I’m a an atheist blogger who also writes about politics and current affairs.http://asystemofrandomtangents…

  189. 189
    John

    March 22, 2011 at 12:41 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    It says “awesome female atheists”. Ayn Rand was an egotistic classist bigot

  190. 190
    John

    March 22, 2011 at 12:54 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Thank you for not including Ayn Rand! She is a despicable megalomaniac classist bitch.

  191. 191
    Simon Davis

    March 28, 2011 at 10:48 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Melody Hensley, Executive Director Center for Inquiry DC: http://www.centerforinquiry.ne…(also emailed this)PS Toni Van Pelt does not identify as an atheist by her own admission and no longer holds her post at CFI

  192. 192
    The Red Pill

    March 28, 2011 at 11:49 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    This isn’t a living person but she is important enough to list anyway, if there is only one women in history you read up on it should be:Ernestine L. Rose : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E…Several works can be found free on Google Books:http://bit.ly/free_gbooks_rose And one I cannot find but would love to read (I must visit a major library sometime):Defence of Atheism: Being a Lecture delivered in Mercantile Hall, Boston, April 10, 1861

  193. 193
    Kaileigh

    April 6, 2011 at 1:06 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I’m not sure if you are still updating this list, but I thought I would put in a good word for Jessica Ahlquist of Cranston, RI. She’s 15 years old and currently involved in a separation of church and state case with the ACLU. I know you are interested in women and girls becoming more involved in atheism and I think she’s a great example.

  194. 194
    LostInTheBibleBelt

    April 7, 2011 at 1:26 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Interesting list. Thanks!

  195. 195
    Ekke

    April 27, 2011 at 7:35 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Can we please not use the word ‘bitch’ to dismiss a woman? Attack her ideas but please respect her personhood, even if you fervently disagree with her on everything.

  196. 196
    Rollingforest

    April 27, 2011 at 9:40 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Do you feel the same way about the terms “bastard” or “asshole”? I don’t think that any of the three terms mentioned are meant to refer to all of a particular gender or group.

  197. 197
    Ekke

    April 27, 2011 at 10:33 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Rollingforest, yes, I feel the same way, even though the word ‘bitch’ has a far more negative history than the words ‘bastard’ and ‘asshole’. Even if what you are saying is true, ie the terms do not and are not meant to refer to all of a particular gender or group, it is still problematic to use a word like that instead of decrying s a person’s actions.

  198. 198
    Rollingforest

    April 28, 2011 at 5:37 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I agree that we should be focused on the issues rather than insulting people personally. And from my personal experience, I agree with you that it does seems true that the term “bitch” is seen as more of a negative term than “bastard” or “dick” is, which might show gender bias. To me, it seems that “bitch” and “asshole” are seem to be at about the same level of negativity by the general public, though admittedly one term is used to refer only to women you dislike while the other can be used to refer to people of either gender you dislike, which does seem unfair. However, to get the true answer for whether the general public feels that the word “bitch” (or any of the other terms) denies someone their personhood, since it is the general public who ultimately decides what a word means, we’d have to find a way to measure their conscious and subconscious reaction to the word, something that can be difficult to do.

  199. 199
    Ekke

    April 28, 2011 at 9:49 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    But the original comment says nothing about her actions; it focuses on her as a person. Such insults do not belong on a forum such as this, never mind what the intended meaning is.

  200. 200
    Rollingforest

    April 29, 2011 at 4:17 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Well if we can cut down on internet flamewars, I’m all for that.

  201. 201
    Oriana Varas

    April 29, 2011 at 4:46 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    This list makes me happy.

  202. 202
    Anthrogran

    May 10, 2011 at 11:18 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I’d like to add Azar Nafisi for her “Reading Lolita in Tehran”, a lovely book that shows readers what Nafisi taught her female students about standing up to tyranny and claiming their female identities through literature.

  203. 203
    Opcnup

    May 19, 2011 at 3:12 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    How about Julia Galef?

  204. 204
    C Wayne

    May 23, 2011 at 9:25 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Thank you for the list.  You people [atheist bloggers: men and women] keep me sane.

  205. 205
    Ralph Gentile

    May 23, 2011 at 9:34 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I’d like to add Christine Comer.  I don’t know if she’s an Atheist, but she took one for the team a few years ago.

  206. 206
    Marlashane

    May 23, 2011 at 9:41 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Chris is not an atheist.

  207. 207
    Wendy Tomlinson

    May 23, 2011 at 10:47 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I’m an atheist blogger:http://www.cyrenity.com/blog.h…

  208. 208
    Emily (luvtheheaven)

    May 25, 2011 at 6:00 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    No, that channel is her sex channel, it’s all about all sorts of things sex-related. For atheism stuff she’s still only here: http://www.youtube.com/gogreen…

  209. 209
    teammarty

    May 27, 2011 at 9:37 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I’d like to add Arlene-Marie, State Director of Michigan Atheists and activist involed with American Atheists since Madalyn Murray O’Hair lived in Maryland (60′s 70′s, somewhere in there)  and has been defending the constitution ever since.

  210. 210
    MaryAnn Johanson

    June 2, 2011 at 12:32 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I’m an atheist film critic who doesn’t hesitate to bring atheism into my criticism when appropriate. Such as here:http://www.flickfilosopher.com…http://www.flickfilosopher.com…http://www.flickfilosopher.com…

  211. 211
    Jesse Weinstein

    June 3, 2011 at 9:38 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    GrrlScientist ‘s blog has moved: http://www.guardian.co.uk/scie…

  212. 212
    R J King

    June 8, 2011 at 5:35 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Might I suggest Maryam Namazie?  Particularly keen to take on Islamic anti-female unpleasantness.

  213. 213
    pneumonosity

    June 9, 2011 at 8:03 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    British actress Emma Thompson is a serious atheist!

  214. 214
    Kate Flood

    June 27, 2011 at 11:30 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    This is such a good list… especially as it’s 2011 and some people still associate science and Atheism and pretty much anything else that requires thinking solely with men.I don’t consider this list patronizing at all, quite the opposite. There are quite a few people on here whose work I wasn’t aware of either, thanks for posting.

  215. 215
    Esther Wheaton

    July 4, 2011 at 12:53 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I was Googling around and found this list – amazing author Ursula K Le Guin should be added!

  216. 216
    Elly Hower

    July 5, 2011 at 7:45 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I wish to point out my gratitude for your kindness supporting individuals that absolutely need help with this topic. Your personal dedication to getting the message all around turned out to be pretty advantageous and have really made those just like me to attain their desired goals. Your entire interesting report implies this much a person like me and additionally to my office workers. Warm regards; from everyone of us.http://www.styrofoam-online.co…Hotwire Cut Styrofoam

  217. 217
    Dread_pirate_nat

    July 6, 2011 at 5:28 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    So glad Sue-Ann Post made it on to the comedian list.

  218. 218
    Xanthe Wyse

    July 8, 2011 at 1:10 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Excellent to find this.  I shall be checking people out.  I’m an ex-christian with a blog called God Confusion  http://godconfusion.blogspot.c…

  219. 219
    Guest

    July 8, 2011 at 2:26 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Of course not, the list seems limited to collectivist statest doctrinaire liberals who would love to use the power of the state to, at the least,  mute those they detest. A group just as nutty as the religious right they decry.

  220. 220
    Rare blog reader

    July 28, 2011 at 7:08 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    My annoyance with the list is the glaring paucity of scientists. I am a female, atheist, biologist (not by career but by training), and have been all my life. I know there are plenty of female atheists actually working in the field of science, why aren’t they speaking out? Frankly, I have no interest in “just so” atheists, bloggers, who talk and talk, or entertainers, or comedians. I have no interest in reading “talk”, my interests are in how knowledge and science affect public policy and the understanding of the living world we live in. I feel like we need to boycott all four horsemen of atheism… and let them know we’re tired of listening to the same old boys club all the time. It’s time our organisations turn the microphone over to female atheist scientists.

  221. 221
    Naomi Moore

    August 8, 2011 at 6:44 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    English comedian Lucy Porter is an atheist, she contributed to The Atheist’s Guide To Christmas.

  222. 222
    Jason Paul Bachand

    September 2, 2011 at 8:37 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I have recently been in contact with Sheril Kirshenbaum, who informed me that she does not label herself an atheist. It would probably be courteous, then, to remove her name from this list.

  223. 223
    Rich Lyons

    September 5, 2011 at 10:21 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Deanna LyonsLivingafterfaith.comShe is co-host of the Living After Faith podcast, makes guest appearances on Ask An Atheist, and is working to make the world a better place for people without faith.

  224. 224
    That Guy

    September 15, 2011 at 4:05 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I’m really happy to see someone compiling a list of prominent female Atheists. It’s a healthy thing to have a fuller view of  this demographic that so often is believed near non-existent.Although your list doesn’t claim to be exhaustive, I wanted to throw the author Ursula K. Leguin into consideration. She writes in the introduction to ‘The Left Hand of Darkness’ that she is an atheist, though one might never think it to read her books intensely interested in theology and spirituality as they are. She’s an interesting atheist for her ability not to immediately throw all religion in the fire, she’s careful to recognize good and evil in all things. Secularism’s capacity for evil is given weight and balance and compared with theism’s capacity for the same.

  225. 225
    Homer C.

    January 2, 2012 at 2:38 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Emily Dietle (emilyhasbooks)- atheist blogger http://www.pixelstampede.wordpress.com

  226. 226
    joelj

    January 2, 2012 at 4:02 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    I would suggest adding Leslie Zukor, founder and operator of the Freethought Books Project.

    Another commenter suggested Mynga Futrell. I see that she’s on the list, but her first name is misspelled.

    I also notice that the links to Greta Christina’s blog and your own need to be updated to the ftb site.

    Good list! Some impressive women there.

  227. 227
    philcook

    January 2, 2012 at 7:52 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Be sure to include Ashley F. Miller, and also Nica Lalli.

  228. 228
    Robert Voss

    January 2, 2012 at 8:14 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Please add to woman atheist of the year:

    Chris Rodda is the Senior Research Director for the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), and the author of Liars For Jesus

  229. 229
    rdmiller3

    January 3, 2012 at 4:14 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Rebecca Watson – for bringing attention to the rampant misogyny in the atheist community and making it into an issue which cannot be ignored.

  230. 230
    (null)

    January 3, 2012 at 11:42 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    It’s ‘Abbie Smith’, not ‘Abby Smith’.

  231. 231
    (null)

    January 3, 2012 at 11:55 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    grrlscientist relocated her blog two years ago and is now at the Guardian.

  232. 232
    Lauren

    January 7, 2012 at 12:42 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Ellenbeth Wachs: President of Atheists of Florida and Humanists of Florida. Recipient of American Atheists Florida Atheist activist of the year. Ellenbeth is also involved with SOS, a secular 12step program and has gone to jail fighting SOCAS issues in Polk County, Florida.

  233. 233
    Barbie Pagani

    July 26, 2012 at 8:22 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    Great, happy any person think it is helpful!

  234. 234
    gahwioehawio

    August 9, 2012 at 2:08 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    A large list of awesome female atheists | Blag Hag I was recommended this web site by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my trouble. You’re amazing! Thanks! your article about A large list of awesome female atheists | Blag HagBest Regards Rolf

  1. 235
    magia sztuczki

    February 15, 2012 at 9:33 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    magia sztuczki…

    [...]A large list of awesome female atheists | Blag Hag[...]…

  2. 236
    Sisterhood of the Oppressed – A Critique « atheistlogic

    July 2, 2012 at 2:55 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    [...] Kirby is trying to make the argument that women don’t actually have an interest in speaking up and presenting at conferences. I’ll admit, I don’t know much about the business world. Maybe this is true there (I doubt it), but the atheists and skeptic movement is a much different place, and there’s no shortage of women available to speak at conferences. This list includes: [...]

  3. 237
    Atheists of Color: Updating the List » Greta Christina's Blog

    January 2, 2013 at 1:20 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment

    [...] and in case you’re not already aware of it: here, in a similar vein, is a large list of awesome female atheists, compiled by Jen McCreight at [...]

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