JAC note: I never met Anne Nicol Gaylor, but knew of her through the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF), for she, along with her daughter Annie Laurie Gaylor, whom I do know, were the founders of that estimable organization. Anne Nicol was a long-time critic of religion and a fighter for women’s rights—especially reproductive rights—and it was clear how much of her toughness, tenacity, and liberal activism were instantiated in her daughter and then the FFRF. When Anne Gaylor died on June 14, I wanted to put up an “in memoriam” post, but when reader Diane G., another Wisconsin resident, wrote me informing me of the death (which I already knew about), it was clear that she knew a lot more about Anne Nicol than did I. I therefore asked her to write a post for me, and she kindly complied. Here it is:
*******
In memoriam: Anne Nicol Gaylor, 1926-2015
by Diane G.
Gaylor: Religion is Sexist
Religion a crutch, freethinker says
Gaylor attacks columnist’s claim that the Bible ‘limits vengeance’
Anne Gaylor (who else?) battles pregame prayer
Anne Gaylor’s ‘almost used to’ death threats
Godless woman: the Good Book’s hazardous to your health
Government says atheist’s idea to label the Scriptures just like cigarettes is ABSURD!
Anne Gaylor wages war on Boy Scouts
Gaylor draws wrath of Christians
Gaylor fights ‘Year of Bible’
Activist atheist fights hard, wins
Anne Nicol Gaylor, pioneering feminist, freethinking activist, and principal founder of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, died Sunday at the age of 88. The above are actual newspaper headlines representing a small fraction of the publicity this very driven woman elicited over the last five decades. Women, Wisconsonites, Americans and humanity as a whole have lost one of our true heroes.
Several WEIT readers are FFRF members and may already be aware of her death, which I hope will inspire many to learn more about her life. A born activist, Anne was advocating for issues of women’s rights and freethought when such topics were not mentioned in polite society. The FFRF’s website obituary here gives a brief synopsis of her passions and accomplishments. And I highly recommend to readers this slide tribute to Anne Nicol that was created for the occasion of her retirement as FFRF President, in 2004, by her daughter Annie Laurie Gaylor (who of course then became, with her husband, one of two co-Presidents of the FFRF). This tribute is full of pictures, more newspaper articles, and best of all some charming and wickedly humorous remembrances from Annie Laurie herself.
I have both of Anne’s books, Abortion is a Blessing and Lead Us Not Into Penn Station. The former is an eye-opening account of her prodigious activism in the abortion controversy, including her founding of an abortion referral service three years before Roe v. Wade, and her establishment of a fund to finance abortions for indigent women two years later. Her from-the-trenches reports of the legal and mortal dangers women faced from the early days of her involvement in the movement sadly ring just as true today, as hard-won US abortion rights are whittled away legislatively, state by state. I’m happy to report that this book is now free online, and you won’t be surprised that I recommend it.
When I agreed to write this, it was because I’d planned on mining Penn Station for any number of Anne Nicol witticisms, which I’d then string together and call a post. Alas, the state of my house is such that a couple of desperate searches have yet to unearth it; nor is it handily online. In my defense, it’s a very small volume, a booklet, something easily buried by subsequent layers…so in lieu of those bon mots and beautifully clear statements about religion and feminism I could have cadged, I encourage you to consider purchasing the volume yourself from FFRF; here’s the enticing website blurb:
This handy publication with photographs throughout commemorates the 28-year tenure as president of FFRF’s founder, Anne Gaylor. A must-have for any freethinker, this gracefully readable book contains Gaylor’s classic writings. She succinctly demolishes the Ten Commandments (“What’s Wrong with the Ten Commandments”), the myth of a loving Jesus (“Was Jesus a Horse Thief?”), the bible’s sanction of slavery (“Slavery: ‘A Trust from God’ “), and documents “Hitler’s Religion.” Lead Us Not Into Penn Station offers affectionate profiles of freethinking pioneers such as Robert G. Ingersoll and Margaret Sanger, and goes after religious sacred cows, such as bible-belt journalism, Christian funerals, and the death penalty. A personal and appealing introduction to nonbelief, reason-based ethics and timely state/church issues by one of the nation’s leading freethought activists. A bonus: Anne’s memorable exposé of her experience on the “Phil Donahue Show” in the late 1970s (“Shrill! Abrasive! Acerbic! Inflammatory!”).
About her motivations and the paths her activism were to take she once remarked, “There were many groups working for women’s rights, but none of them dealt with the root cause of women’s oppression—religion.” Such a legacy that insight has produced!
Thanks for this post, Diane G. She was a heck of a hero, someone we Wisconsinites should be proud to list as one of us. She’s left a strong legacy.
As Merilee notes below, I’m actually from MI…but who can keep MI, MN, & WI straight, anyway?
I’m never sure whether Madison or Ann Arbor wins best Midwestern Island of Liberalism honors, but I think Anne’s imprint from the former tips the balance for me.
“MI” is just and upside “WI” anyway.
Or vice versa, depending on how you look at it. 😉
I look at it through the reflective pond in between. Lake MI.
Quite a huge reflective pond.
Smaller than the one between us and England, though…
Mais oui!
b&
MN seems to me somehow “not like the other two” for some reason. Maybe all the Scandahoovians ( and now Somalis) in MN…
By now, I’d imagine there’re as many Scandamalis and Somandinavians as anybody else…or, if not, give it a couple generations….
b&
Probably a very attractive combo:-)
MN has Lake Wobegon. Kind of special. There must be similar towns in other states, but I’m sure nothing’s quite like it.
Very well written, congrats and thanks to reader Diane G. A much deserved praise for a brave freethinker.
It is fitting that a woman should lead such a fine organization as FFRF and well to remember that most of the progress in the fight against the intrusion of religion into everything will come from women.
Annie, I’m so sorry you’ve lost your mom. She did the one thing that actually matters: she left the Universe a better place than when she found it, and she did it in a big way and with style and courage.
…and it’s now up to you to beat her score. You’re off to a fantastic start, but the bar’s been set so incredibly high….
b&
From the FFRF-site obit:
A description that will immediately ring bells with anyone who’s ever heard Annie Laurie in person, on TV, or radio. These women excel in shattering stereotypes; I’m sure Anne Nicol was quite serene about the competent hands FFRF is in.
Annual FFRF conferences alternate between Madison and cities all over the country. They routinely seem to find novel speakers, fascinating and important voices, as opposed to the usual cast of characters so many other conferences feature. I encourage everyone to try to attend at least one of these events–it will leave you walking on air for several days after.
Considering the never ending onslaught by the Reich Wingers on Women since 2010, we have lost a stalwart soldier in the battle against Regressivism and Tyranny of the Religious fascist who want a Dominionist state here with a ready made military larger than any previous in our History of the World.
Thanks for this elegant post Diane G. I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t know of Anne Gaylor and her important life, though I am a proud member of FFRF. Those headlines speak volumes. And she is so correct with her sign “Beware pious politicians”. That is prescient…look where we are now. Pious politicians are destroying the US and that’s not a hyperbole. She must have loathed Scott Walker.
Anne’s whole life was about not being defeated when moles like Walker keep sticking up their heads. But yeah, what a miserable turn of events.
FFRF is so much about action, not self-aggrandizement. What’s that old saying, something like “s/he accomplishes most who cares least about who gets the credit for it?”
It’s most annoying that our current climate popularizes the outspoken and essentially overlooks the productive activists.
sub
sub
Thanks, Diane G. (who I believe is in fact a Michigan resident…)
Indeed. 🙂
I’ve always liked Wisconsin, though…
Nice post, Diane!
Yes. Would that all obituaries were as well done! Too often, it’s just vital statistics and a C.V. This is a great introduction to and overview of why Anne’s life mattered.
b&
Vital statistics in an obituary? Something’s wrong with that picture!
Well, it’s better than fatal statistics in a C.V.!
b&
Ha ha! Yeah that should be “morbid statistics”.
Thanks, guys. 🙂
Nicely said.
I am glad to be reminded of the life of such a fine person.
I didn’t know much about her, just that she was a founder of FFRF. I’ve been a member for years. Sad to see the end of one era, but it’s great that the effort continues.
Not being American, I had never heard of her before the internet age. The interview with Oprah Winfrey was great, and she was clearly an amazing woman. We need more like her.
I see that the New York Times also ran a nice obituary.
Very nice; thank you, GB.
Strong work, Diane. You’ve introduced many of us to one of the quietest heroines of our time. I am sorry to have missed the chance to meet her in person. Your reading recommendations are a good start to meeting her through her writings and actions, though. May her family be comforted, and may they know we are, despite the distance, standing with them, now, to offer solice.
The finest tribute for this courageous and beautiful person would be for all who know about her to join FFRF at ffrf.org. I don’t know of any organization that does so much good with so little money.