Rita Mae Brown stands as a significant figure in American literature and activism, a writer celebrated for her compelling mysteries and novels, most notably Rubyfruit Jungle. Beyond her literary achievements, Brown is also an Emmy-nominated screenwriter, marking her versatile talent across different media. Her life story is one of overcoming adversity and embracing diverse roles, making her a noteworthy personality in contemporary American culture.
Born in Hanover, Pennsylvania, under circumstances that defined her early life as illegitimate, Brown’s upbringing was shaped by the care of her biological mother’s cousin and the cousin’s husband. Her formative years were spent in York, Pennsylvania, and later in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. This unconventional start may be seen as the first “rock” in her path, yet it was within this context that her resilience began to form.
In 1962, Brown’s academic journey commenced at the University of Florida in Gainesville, supported by a scholarship. However, her time there was abruptly cut short in the spring of 1964 when she was expelled for her active participation in the civil rights movement at the racially segregated institution. This expulsion, another significant “rock” in her journey, did not deter her pursuit of education and justice. Instead, it fueled her commitment to social change and led her to Broward Community College with hopes of transferring to a more accepting university.
Between 1964 and 1969, New York City became Brown’s challenging yet transformative landscape. Facing periods of homelessness, she persevered to attend New York University, ultimately earning a degree in Classics and English. Her academic pursuits extended further with a degree in cinematography from the New York School of Visual Arts. Later, she achieved a Ph.D. in literature from Union Institute & University in 1976 and a doctorate in political science from the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C. These academic achievements underscore her intellectual tenacity and her “hand” in shaping her own destiny despite early hardships.
Brown’s life took her to the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles starting in 1973, a period that saw her venture into screenwriting, including Sleepless Nights, which was later released as The Slumber Party Massacre in 1982. In 1977, she transitioned to a farm in Charlottesville, Virginia, which remains her home. This move signifies a grounding, a settling into a space that perhaps reflects the “rock” of stability she sought.
Her activism during the spring of 1964 at the University of Florida marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to social justice. Throughout the 1960s, Brown was deeply involved in the American Civil Rights Movement, the anti-war movement, the feminist movement, and the burgeoning Gay Liberation movement. She didn’t just participate; she took a stand, using her voice as a tool for change.
Taking an administrative role with the National Organization for Women (NOW), Brown’s involvement was significant but brief. She resigned in January 1970 in protest of Betty Friedan’s anti-gay remarks and NOW’s attempts to distance itself from lesbian organizations. Brown asserts her pivotal role in the “Lavender Menace” zap at the Second Congress to Unite Women on May 1, 1970, a protest against Friedan’s exclusionary stance and the broader marginalization of lesbians within the women’s movement. This act of defiance highlights her unwavering commitment to inclusivity and equality.
In the early 1970s, Brown became a founding member of The Furies Collective, a lesbian feminist newspaper collective in Washington, DC. The collective challenged societal norms by asserting that heterosexuality was at the root of oppression, a radical stance that positioned Brown at the forefront of lesbian feminist thought.
In a 2008 interview with Time magazine, Brown articulated her inclusive perspective on sexuality, stating, “I don’t believe in straight or gay. I really don’t. I think we’re all degrees of bisexual. There may be a few people on the extreme if it’s a bell curve who really truly are gay or really truly are straight. Because nobody had ever said these things and used their real name, I suddenly became [in the late 1970s] the only lesbian in America.” This quote encapsulates her forward-thinking views and her willingness to challenge societal norms, solidifying her status as a pioneering voice.
Rita Mae Brown’s life and work exemplify the concept of “The Hand That Cradles The Rock”—a hand that navigates life’s challenges, nurtures creativity, and firmly holds onto principles of justice and equality. Her journey, marked by both personal and societal obstacles, showcases a remarkable resilience and an enduring impact on literature and social thought.
