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January 3, 2010 at 4:34 pm 
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
- Ayaan Hirsi Ali – Infidel, Nomad, The Caged Virgin
- Natalie Angier – The Canon: A whirling tour of the beautiful basics of science, Woman: An intimate geography
- Ophelia Benson – Does God Hate Women?, Why Truth Matters, The Dictionary of Fashionable Nonsense
- Susan Blackmore – Author
- Leslie Cannold – Writer and ethicist
- Jane Caro – Author and journalist
- Catherine Deveny – Author and comedian
- Ann Druyan – Author and writer
- Rebecca Goldstein – 36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction
- Jennifer Hancock – The Humanist Approach to Happiness
- Jennifer Michael Hecht – Doubt: A History, The End of the Soul: Scientific Modernity, Atheism and Anthropology in France
- Susan Jacoby – The Age of American Unreason, Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism, journalist for The Washington Post‘s On Faith Panel
- Wendy Kaminer - Sleeping With Extra-Terrestrials: The Rise of Irrationalism and Perils of Piety
- Paula Kirby – Author
- Joan Konner – Editor of The Atheist’s Bible: An Illustrious Collection of Irreverent Thoughts
- Nica Lalli – Nothing: Something to Believe In
- Tanya Levin – Author
- Molleen Matsumura – Writes the Humanist advice column Sweet Reason, co-author of Raising Freethinkers: A Practical Guide for Parenting Beyond Belief
- Jennifer McCreight – Contributor: The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas
- Sheila McLean – Writer and law & ethics researcher
- Adele Mercer – Writer and philosopher
- Maggie Miller – Actress and writer
- Meera Nanda – Breaking the Spell of Dharma, Prophets Facing Backwards
- Taslima Nasrin – Writer, human rights activist
- Christine Overall – Writer and philosopher
- Sumitra Padmanabhan – Contributor at The Freethinker and Nirmukta; Secretary of the Humanists’ Association of India
- Sue-Ann Post – Comedian and Writer
- Laura Purdy – Writer and philosopher
- Joan Smith – Author
- Valerie Tarico – Author and Blogger at the Huffington Post
- Polly Toynbee – Journalist
- Marlene Winell – Author
- Attempts at Rational Behavior – Blogger
- Ophelia Benson – Editor of skeptical website Butterflies and Wheels
- Maia Caron – Blogger
- GodlessGirl – Blogger
- Greta Christina – Blogger, focusing on atheism, sex, GLBT issues and politics
- Evolved Rationalist – Blogger: Evolved and Rat/i/onal
- Vyckie Garrison – Creator of No Longer Quivering, a community for women who have escaped the Quiverfull movement
- GrrlScientist – Blogger: Living the Scientific Life
- Amanda Gulledge – Blogger and winner of the Good Without God essay on raising freethinking children.
- Miranda Celeste Hale – Blogger: Exquisite With Love
- Diana Hsieh – Blogger and Rationally Selfish podcaster
- Sikivu Hutchinson -Blogger, focusing on atheism, religion, and race issues
- “KimDonesia” – Blogger
- Heather MacDonald – Blogger: Secular Right
- Amanda Marcotte – Blogger at Pandagon, focusing on feminism and politics
- Annie Margis – Blogger: Godishness
- Jennifer McCreight – Blogger: Blag Hag
- Melissa McEwan – Blogger: Shakesville
- Monica – Blogger: Monicks: Unleashed
- Jen Myers – Skepchick and Blogger: Deliberatepixel
- Maryam Namazie – Blogger
- Jennifer Ouellette – Author and Blogger: The X-Change Files
- Negative Entropy – Bloggers
- Possummomma – Blogger: Atheist in a Mini Van
- Jill Psmith – Blogger: I Blame the Patriarchy
- “Surly” Amy Davis Roth – Skepchick
- Kylyssa Shay – Blogger: That Atheist Bitch
- Signy – Ex-Muslim Blogger: Here in Glitnir
- The Skepchicks – Awesome group of bloggers
- Abby Smith – Blogger: ERV
- Kylie Sturgess – Blogger: PodBlack Cat; reporter for Skeptic Zone and host of Token Skeptic podcasts
- Laura Talley – Blogger: The Redheaded Skeptic
- Valerie Tarico – Blogger at the Huffington Post
- Sunsara Taylor – Blogger
- Rebecca Watson – Founder and contributor of the blog Skepchick
- Jessica Constantine – Co-host of the Humanist Network News podcast
- Laci Green – Videoblogger
- Tracie Harris – Rotating co-host of the Atheist Experience show
- Diana Hsieh – Rationally Selfish podcaster
- “KimDonesia” – Videoblogger
- Ashley Paramore – Videoblogger, better known as “healthyaddict”
- Jen Peeples- Rotating co-host of the Atheist Experience show
- Cristina Rad (ZOMGitsCriss) – Wonderfully sarcastic videoblogger
- Kylie Sturgess – reporter for Skeptic Zone and host of Token Skeptic podcasts
- Swoopy – Host of Skepticality podcast
- Rebecca Watson – co-host of popular podcast The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe
- Reba Boyd Wooden – Executive Director of Center for Inquiry Indiana and Blogger: Freethought from the Heartland
- Ayaan Hirsi Ali – Women’s rights activist combating militant Islam
- Maggie Ardiente – Development Director at the American Humanist Association
- Lauren Becker – Outreach Coordinator for the Center for Inquiry
- Lori Lipman Brown – Founding director of Secular Coalition for America
- R. Elisabeth Cornwell – Executive director of the U.S. branch of the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science
- Margaret Downey – Activist, founder and president of The Freethought Society
- Myna Futrell – Co-founder and executive director of The Brights’ Network
- Annie Laurie Gaylor – Co-founder and current co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation
- Debbie Goddard – director of African Americans for Humanism and Campus coordinator at the Center for Inquiry
- Susan Jacoby – director of New York’s Center for Inquiry
- Ellen Johnson – Atheist activist, former president of American Atheists
- Kathleen Johnson – Vice president and military director of American Atheists and founder of the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers
- Wendy Kaminer – Secular Coalition for America Advisory Board Member
- Lyz Liddell – Campus organizer for the Secular Student Alliance, somehow helps hundreds of non-theist student groups without exploding
- June Maxwell – Director of Humanist Academy at Glasgow
- Amanda Metskas – Head Director of Camp Quest
- Taslima Nasrin – human rights activist
- Sumitra Padmanabhan – Secretary of the Humanists’ Association of India
- Toni van Pelt – Director of the Center for Inquiry-Office of Public Policy
- Eugenie Scott – executive director of the National Center for Science Education, outspoken opponent of Intelligent Design and creationism
- Ariane Sherine – Creator of the Atheist Bus Campaign
- Samantha Stein – Director of Camp Quest UK
- Wafa Sultan – Outspoken critic of Islam
- Reba Boyd Wooden – Executive Director of Center for Inquiry Indiana
- Catherine Deveny – Author and comedian
- Kathy Griffin – Hilarious comedian
- Sachiko McLean – Humanist glamor model and performer
- Maggie Miller – Actress and writer
- Carolyn Porco – Planetary scientist and public speaker
- Sue-Ann Post – Comedian and Writer
- “Surly” Amy Davis Roth – Creator of awesome skeptical jewelery
- Julia Sweeney – Comedian, on Showtime with her act Letting Go of God
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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Diana Hsieh – http://www.dianahsieh.com
Diana Hsieh – http://www.dianahsieh.com
Sarah Silverman
Sarah Silverman
Ditto.
What an honor to be part of this list. I now have many more women to read and follow! Great job, Jen.
What an honor to be part of this list. I now have many more women to read and follow! Great job, Jen.
Oh yea, this is what I wuz talking 'bout. Excellent work .
Heart Kriss
Oh yea, this is what I wuz talking ’bout. Excellent work . Heart Kriss
Quick note, Laci Green's link points to ZOMGitsCriss' youtube page.
I think you meant it to point here.
Quick note, Laci Green’s link points to ZOMGitsCriss’ youtube page.I think you meant it to point here.
Oops, correction, that's her old channel.
New channel here.
Oops, correction, that’s her old channel.New channel here.
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…
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 :)
I think you have too many people now for a poll. So next year… A Mortal Kombat style tournament!
I think you have too many people now for a poll. So next year… A Mortal Kombat style tournament!
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!
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!
Oh my Google! I'm on a list!
Oh my Google! I’m on a list!
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.
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.
Nicole Smalkowski
Nicole Smalkowski
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. :)
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. :)
What a great new list!
What a great new list!
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.
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.
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. ;-)
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. ;-)
Great list.
One more: Katha Pollitt. She rocks.
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. :)
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. :)
Emma Goldman:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Goldman/
Emma Goldman:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E…
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
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…
The women of negative entropy are pretty awesome, if I may say so.
The women of negative entropy are pretty awesome, if I may say so.
Wow, I'm flattered to be on the list. Thank you!
Now, I'm off to check out all of these blogs!
Wow, I’m flattered to be on the list. Thank you!Now, I’m off to check out all of these blogs!
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.
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.
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/
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…
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.
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.
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
Kafir Girl disappeared without a word 1 year ago. Disturbing.
Kafir Girl disappeared without a word 1 year ago. Disturbing.
btw, you totally should include Ms. Paula Z. Myers.
btw, you totally should include Ms. Paula Z. Myers.
Where's Swoopy? http://www.skepticality.com! Need more Swoopy! :)
Where’s Swoopy? http://www.skepticality.com! Need more Swoopy! :)
Wow!! Thank you so much for the mention!!!
Wow!! Thank you so much for the mention!!!
Amanda Gulledge, winner of the Good Without God essay on raising freethinking children.
Amanda Gulledge, winner of the Good Without God essay on raising freethinking children.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Thank you for the mention :) I really appreciate it!
Thank you for the mention :) I really appreciate it!
This makes me all squishy. Thanks so much for the mention!
This makes me all squishy. Thanks so much for the mention!
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.
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.
How did you miss Nica Lalli?
Great list by the way!
How did you miss Nica Lalli?Great list by the way!
How about Dame Helen Mirren? You know, the Oscar winning actress.
How about Dame Helen Mirren? You know, the Oscar winning actress.
Grrlscientist is also an atheist and blogger. I think she's awesome. But then I did marry her, so I might be biased.
Grrlscientist is also an atheist and blogger. I think she’s awesome. But then I did marry her, so I might be biased.
Annie Margis at http://www.Godishness.com
How about Emma Thompson? You know, the two-time Oscar winning actress.
How about Emma Thompson? You know, the two-time Oscar winning actress.
Zom Gits Criss on You Tube: Active vocal female atheist.
Zom Gits Criss on You Tube: Active vocal female atheist.
How about Amanda Donohoe? I don't she has won an Oscar. Yet.
How about Amanda Donohoe? I don’t she has won an Oscar. Yet.
I agree wholeheartedly. It is such a great list and painstakingly made, too. My reading list is much, much enhanced now.
I agree wholeheartedly. It is such a great list and painstakingly made, too. My reading list is much, much enhanced now.
Janeane Garofolo!
A fine Atheist thinker.
Janeane Garofolo!A fine Atheist thinker.
Toni van Pelt and Lauren Becker of the Center for Inquiry.
Jes Constantine is co-host of the Humanist Network News podcast, sponsored by the American Humanist Assn.
Jes Constantine is co-host of the Humanist Network News podcast, sponsored by the American Humanist Assn.
http://www.evolvedrational.com/
http://www.evolvedrational.com…
I am noticed! Lol! Thanks for writing me down! (My last name is Talley. In case anyone cares, which they probably don't, haha)
I am noticed! Lol! Thanks for writing me down! (My last name is Talley. In case anyone cares, which they probably don’t, haha)
Great list, but what about Ann Druyan?
Great list, but what about Ann Druyan?
Nice list. Here are three you don't have up:Madalyn Murray O'HairMarkella HatzianoMeera Nanda
Inspirational. Thanks for compiling this!
Inspirational. Thanks for compiling this!
@Lauruhpalooza
@Lauruhpalooza
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".
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”.
Angelina Jolie? Jodie Foster? Meryl Streep?
Angelina Jolie? Jodie Foster? Meryl Streep?
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
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
Hello Jen,This is a great list. Thanks for including me.Marlene Winell
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.)
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.)
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
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
Nevermind, I now see amanda's name. Missed it before
Nevermind, I now see amanda’s name. Missed it before
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.
Just an update. Lauren Becker has been promoted to Vice President for Outreach for Center for Inquiry Transnational. Reba Boyd Wooden
Just an update. Lauren Becker has been promoted to Vice President for Outreach for Center for Inquiry Transnational. Reba Boyd Wooden
Who are any of these people? Really?
I actually know a bunch of these ladies. Woohoo! Great list. I’m a fan of your blog just from this post.
Here are over 4000 more awesome female atheists:http://www.atheistnexus.org/pr…
julie mullen & jessie marion who run the “rational moms” blog.
how about Rechelle Malin? she’s the former “christian shit-head”, as she calls herself, who publicly lost her faith on her blog at mysistersfarmhouse@live.com.
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.)
@murmur55: atheist turned anti-theist cleaning up Jew-doo and Priest-poo…not by choice
Barbara Forrest is indeed atheist, but she doesn’t really advertise as such.
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!
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!
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!
Susan B. Anthony!!!
Interesting bunch of names!
I can’t believe this one got missed! She’s not alive any longer, but very influential and a well-known Atheist — Ayn Rand.
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.
It says “awesome female atheists”. Ayn Rand was an egotistic classist bigot
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.
Julia Gillard – the new Prime Minister of Australia is… an athiest.yeah go girl. Check out the recent Australian press.
I wanna be on this list! ..but I have a penis. =( I don’t really use it anymore.. much..
No one mentioned Meera Nanda!http://newhumanist.org.uk/973/…http://newhumanist.org.uk/1731…
Dany Darling- http://www.thebigcigarette.com
Awesome. Shall be scouring this list for inspiration.
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.
Samantha Stein- http://samanthastein.wordpress…Camp director of Camp Quest in the UK
You’ve got Rebecca Watson listed twice…
Did I miss Julia Sweeney on the list?
Yes I did.
Ani DiFranco.
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. ;-)
What about historical female atheists?Ernestine Rose
Me! Margaret Morgan, science blogger, biologist and former lawyer. Blog: http://www.growingpassion.org
Me too? Rebekah Bennetch: former fundy, raging atheist, mama of toddler, periodic ranter at Grrrl Meets World: http://www.grrrlmeetsworld.com…
Not famous and only “out” with people I know but for what it’s worth: http://ladyatheist.blogspot.co…
Jamila Bey is an NPR producer and standup comedian from Washington DC and she is black.
I love that you have Taslima Nasrim on the list! She has a particularly eye-opening story.
Excellent list, but I lol’d at Carolyn Porco…”comedian/other”
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…
http://thepeacockangel.tumblr…. I’m an atheist, feminist, lesbian, who writes about feminism, sex, atheism, morality, and LGBTQ issues
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…
I wou ld love suggestions for magazines that regularly feature atheist women’s writings!
Amy Alkon.http://www.advicegoddess.com/a…
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.
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.
Shazia Mirza – Comedian
Oh My Dawg!!!! You forgot Judith Hayes!!!!!!!!
Fantastic list. Although she died in the last few weeks, can I suggest the British author and journalist Claire Rayner?Thank you.
Awesomeness. Female Atheist Power.
http://www.freethoughtfilmfest…
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.
Love her or hate her, Ayn Rand should probably added to the list.
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…
You should look into adding Diana Agorio
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.
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
ZOMGitscriss really deserves to be on the list of video bloggers:http://www.youtube.com/user/ZO…
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.
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.
The wonderful Margaret Downey gets my vote for whatever category or award there is.
I do feel left out. http://jewmanist.com
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.
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.
Have I missed Gia Milonovich here? Otherwise her blog is at: http://www.giagia.co.uk/
Wanda Sykes
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…
Amy Rohren from the “Mr. Deity” series.
Dr Rachael Dunlop @DrRachie. Skeptic. Relentless and successful campaigner against the anti-vax Australian Vaccination Network and S-CAMs .
KimDonesia is no longer blogging from what I can tell.
I’m a an atheist blogger who also writes about politics and current affairs.http://asystemofrandomtangents…
Thank you for not including Ayn Rand! She is a despicable megalomaniac classist bitch.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Well if we can cut down on internet flamewars, I’m all for that.
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.
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
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
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.
Interesting list. Thanks!
This list makes me happy.
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.
How about Julia Galef?
Thank you for the list. You people [atheist bloggers: men and women] keep me sane.
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.
Chris is not an atheist.
I’m an atheist blogger:http://www.cyrenity.com/blog.h…
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.
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…
GrrlScientist ‘s blog has moved: http://www.guardian.co.uk/scie…
Might I suggest Maryam Namazie? Particularly keen to take on Islamic anti-female unpleasantness.
British actress Emma Thompson is a serious atheist!
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.
I was Googling around and found this list – amazing author Ursula K Le Guin should be added!
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So glad Sue-Ann Post made it on to the comedian list.
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…
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.
English comedian Lucy Porter is an atheist, she contributed to The Atheist’s Guide To Christmas.
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.
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.
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.
Emily Dietle (emilyhasbooks)- atheist blogger http://www.pixelstampede.wordpress.com
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.
Be sure to include Ashley F. Miller, and also Nica Lalli.
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
Rebecca Watson – for bringing attention to the rampant misogyny in the atheist community and making it into an issue which cannot be ignored.
It’s ‘Abbie Smith’, not ‘Abby Smith’.
grrlscientist relocated her blog two years ago and is now at the Guardian.
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.
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