Dorothy pitman hughes biography of barack

American feminist activist (–)

Dorothy Pitman Hughes (born Dorothy Jean Ridley;^[1] October 2, – December 1, ) was an American feminist, child-welfare advocate, activist, public speaker, author, and small business owner.

Pitman Hughes co-founded the Women’s Action Alliance. Her activism and friendship with Gloria Steinem established racial balance in the nascent feminist movement.

Family and early life

Dorothy Jean Ridley was born on October 2, , in Lumpkin, Georgia,^[2][3][4] to Lessie W.

Ridley and Melton Lee Ridley.^[1] When Ridley was ten years old, her father was beaten and left for dead on the family's doorstep; the family believes it to be a crime committed by Ku Klux Klan members.^[2] In response to her family's experiences, Ridley decided as a child to devote her life to improving the circumstances of people through activism.^[5]

Early career

Ridley moved from Georgia to