Audre Lorde: Women are Powerful and Dangerous

When Audre Lorde (1934–1992) spoke, the world listened—even if it didn’t always know what to do with her words. A poet, essayist, and activist, Lorde’s work challenged the deeply entrenched norms of race, gender, sexuality, and class long before "intersectionality" became a widely recognized framework. Her ideas were seen as radical in her time, but history has proven her to be not just ahead of her era, but essential to the progress we’ve made. Lorde’s story reminds us of the power of one person’s refusal to see the world as it is and instead illuminate a path to what it could be.

A Life of Intersectional Activism

Audre Lorde was born on February 18, 1934, in Harlem, New York, to Caribbean immigrant parents. Her early life was shaped by the vibrant cultural environment of Harlem, but also by the challenges of being a young Black girl in a segregated America. Lorde struggled with her eyesight and speech in childhood, but her love of language blossomed early. By the time she was in high school, she was writing poetry as a way to express her thoughts and emotions.

After graduating from Hunter College in 1959 and earning a master’s degree in library science from Columbia University, Lorde worked as a librarian while continuing to write. Her poetry reflected her experiences as a Black, lesbian woman, exploring themes of identity, love, and justice. She published her first collection, The First Cities, in 1968, marking the beginning of a prolific career that would leave an indelible mark on literature and activism.

Seeing Beyond Boundaries

Lorde lived at the crossroads of identities that made her both a target of oppression and a beacon of possibility. As a self-described "Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet," she used her unique perspective to craft works that dissected the interlocking systems of racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia.

Lorde rejected the notion that these oppressions could be understood or fought in isolation. Instead, she argued for the importance of acknowledging their intersections, long before the term "intersectionality" was coined. For her, it wasn’t enough to fight for racial equality without addressing gender and sexual identity—nor could one advocate for women’s rights while ignoring the unique struggles faced by women of color.

Radical Ideas That Became Mainstream

At the time, Lorde’s work was often dismissed as too radical. Her insistence on addressing multiple systems of oppression simultaneously was seen as divisive or overly complex. But society’s discomfort with her ideas didn’t deter her. Lorde knew that all revolutionary ideas seem radical at first. Change takes time, and the world has always needed people who can see it as it could be, not just as it is.

Her contributions extended beyond her writing. Lorde was deeply involved in activism, co-founding the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix, teaching at the City College of New York, and serving as the poet laureate of New York State from 1991 until her death in 1992. Today, her insights are foundational to many modern social justice movements. Concepts that were once dismissed as fringe ideas—like the importance of intersectionality—are now central to conversations about equity and inclusion. This shift is a testament to the power of persistence and the long arc of societal change.

Lighting the Path to a Better Way

Audre Lorde didn’t just write about oppression—she actively worked to dismantle it. She used her poetry and prose to call out injustice, inspire action, and create spaces for marginalized voices. In doing so, she lit a match that illuminated new paths for countless others to follow.

Lorde once wrote, "I am deliberate and afraid of nothing." This deliberate courage is what makes her legacy so enduring. She used the tools she had—her words, her voice, her vision—to challenge the status quo and show us what a better world might look like.

Her work also teaches us that change doesn’t come from extraordinary circumstances; it comes from ordinary people who refuse to accept the limitations imposed upon them. It’s about seeing the world as it is—flawed and inequitable—and daring to dream of something better.

What We Can Learn From Audre Lorde

Audre Lorde’s life and work offer powerful lessons for us today:

Radical Ideas Are the Seeds of Progress: Change begins with those who dare to think differently. The ideas that seem radical today can become the foundation of tomorrow’s norms.
Intersectionality Matters: Addressing one form of oppression while ignoring others is incomplete. True progress requires us to understand and confront how different systems of power intersect.
Use Your Tools: Whether it’s poetry, art, organizing, or simply speaking out, everyone has something to contribute to the fight for a better world.
Persistence is Key: Societal change takes time. What may feel like small steps now can become monumental shifts in the future.

Carrying the Torch Forward

Audre Lorde showed us what’s possible when we refuse to see the world through the lens of what’s "supposed to be" and instead envision what could be. Her legacy is a challenge to all of us: to use our voices, our talents, and our platforms to continue the work she started.

Sharing stories like Lorde’s ensures that their contributions aren’t lost to history. Women like her laid the groundwork for progress, but it’s up to us to carry it forward. By honoring her vision and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, we can keep the flame of change alive.

Audre Lorde illuminated the path. Now, it’s up to us to walk it and light the way for those who come after us.

Find out more about Audre Lorde's story and what she's written here: https://alp.org/about/audre