Suzanne LaFollette
Suzanne La Follette (June 24, 1893 – April 23, 1983) was an American journalist, author, and libertarian feminist. She was a prominent advocate for individual rights, free markets, and gender equality, combining her belief in personal liberty with a commitment to social justice. La Follette is best remembered for her contributions to libertarian thought and her role in founding and editing influential political publications.
Early Life and Education
Suzanne Clara La Follette was born in Washington State on June 24, 1893, into a family with strong political and intellectual traditions. She was a cousin of Robert M. La Follette, Sr., a leading Progressive politician and founder of the Progressive Party. Raised in an environment that emphasized political engagement and education, she pursued studies at Whitman College, where she developed a passion for literature, history, and philosophy.
Journalism and Writing Career
The Nation and The Freeman
La Follette began her journalism career at The Nation, where she wrote on topics ranging from economics to women’s rights. Her articulate and passionate style quickly established her as a rising voice in American political thought. In the early 1920s, she co-founded The Freeman, a magazine dedicated to libertarian and individualist ideas. As an editor and contributor, La Follette used the platform to critique collectivist ideologies, promote economic freedom, and advocate for social reforms.
*America’s Medieval Women*
In 1930, La Follette published her seminal book, America’s Medieval Women, a work that examined the status of women in the United States and argued for equal rights. The book combined historical analysis with contemporary commentary, offering a compelling case for the emancipation of women as integral to the broader fight for liberty.
Political and Social Activism
Libertarian Feminism
La Follette was an early proponent of libertarian feminism, emphasizing that women’s liberation required both economic freedom and individual autonomy. She rejected government intervention as a means to achieve gender equality, arguing instead that market competition and personal initiative were the true engines of progress. Her views often put her at odds with mainstream feminist movements, which increasingly aligned with socialist and collectivist ideals.
Opposition to Authoritarianism
A staunch anti-communist, La Follette criticized totalitarian regimes. During the 1930s and 1940s, she was an outspoken opponent of Soviet communism, warning against the erosion of individual rights under centralized authority.
Later Career and Legacy
In the 1950s, La Follette contributed to the newly founded National Review, where she continued to champion individualism and free-market principles. She never gained the widespread recognition of contemporaries like Ayn Rand or Friedrich Hayek.
Suzanne La Follette’s blend of libertarianism and feminism has inspired generations of thinkers and activists. Her insistence on the compatibility of personal freedom and social justice remains a cornerstone of libertarian feminist philosophy.
Selected Works
- America’s Medieval Women (1930)
- Various articles in The Nation, The Freeman, and National Review
References
- Doherty, Brian. *Radicals for Capitalism: A Freewheeling History of the Modern American Libertarian Movement*. PublicAffairs, 2007.
- La Follette, Suzanne. America’s Medieval Women. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1930.
- \"Suzanne La Follette: Libertarian Feminist,\" Liberty Fund Quarterly, 1985.
- Stansell, Christine. American Moderns: Bohemian New York and the Creation of a New Century. Metropolitan Books, 2000.