Kansas City, Missouri (February 11, 1916- December 21, 2000) age 84 yrs

Florynce Rae Kennedy, an African American radical feminist, activist, opposed the Gulf War, Vietnam War, and nuclear weapons. She was the second African American woman to graduate from Columbia Law School. Kennedy helped found the Women’s Political Caucus. She also co-founded the National Black Feminist Organization. Additionally, she was an original member of the National Organization for Women (NOW). She fought for the rights of Black Panther members. She represented the estates of jazz legends Billie Holiday and Charlie Parker. They were suing to recover withheld royalties and sales. Disgusted by the racism in the courts, Kennedy turned her energy to activism. She fought for women’s liberation, abortion rights, civil rights, and consumer protection. In her cowboy hat, pants, and pink sunglasses, Kennedy gained a reputation as a flamboyant activist. She stood up to authority and did not care what people said about her.