From the archives of The Memory Hole |
Wendy McElroy unearths the thoughts of yet another feminist luminary buried by the received wisdom of modern-day feminists.
by Wendy McElroy
In the opinion of Benjamin Tucker, editor of Liberty:
"Gertrude B. Kelly,...by her articles in Liberty, has placed herself at a single bound among the finest writers of this or any other country..." 1
"If I did pretend to leadership, I would consider Miss Kelly the most insubordinate member of my flock. Scarcely a day passes that she does not show her mutinous propensities..." 4
This is not to slight the high quality of contributions from Clara Dixon Davidson and Zelm (a pseudonym for Sarah Holmes). But their articles appeared far less frequently.
Her brother John F. Kelly also contributed and was one of its most adamant 'Spencerians'.
"Honorius" was the pen name of Henry Appleton, a contributor to Liberty. Appleton claimed the distinction of introducing Kelly to individualism in Whole No. 79, p.4, April 17, 1886. Tucker's response in the same issue seemed to contradict this claim. Kelly voiced no opinion.
Gertrude B. Kelly "Proudhon and the Woman Question" Liberty Whole No. 95, p. 8, March 12, 1887.
Although subsequent individualist-feminists disagree with this suggestion, Ms. Kelly deserves credit for presenting a sophisticated analysis of prostitution at a time when it was regularly dismissed on Biblical grounds.
Liberty, #66, p. September 12, 1885.
Liberty #74, January 23, 1886, "A Woman's Warning to Reformers".
Liberty #74, p.?, January 23, 1886. "A Woman's Warning to Reformers".
Liberty #81p.5, May 22, 1886, "The Wages of Sin is Death".
Liberty #87, p.5 "A Time to Beware of Passion".
Liberty #88, p. , October 30, 1886.
In this, she was at odds with most feminists of her day who solicited money for state schools. This was to be Gertrude Kelly's last article for Liberty.
✳ ✳ ✳