Without Fear
Black Women and the Making of Human Rights
Published on 24. October 2025
Book
Hardback
312 pages
978-0-393-88229-2 (ISBN)
Description
Even before they were recognized as citizens of the United States, Black women understood that the fights for civil and human rights were inseparable. Over the course of two hundred years, they were at the forefront of national and international movements for social change, weaving connections between their own and others' freedom struggles around the world.
Without Fear tells how, during American history, Black women made humans rights theirs: from worldwide travel and public advocacy in the global Black press to their work for the United Nations, they courageously and effectively moved human rights beyond an esoteric concept to an active, organizing principle. Acclaimed historian Keisha N. Blain tells the story of these women-from the well-known, like Ida B. Wells, Madam C. J. Walker, and Lena Horne, to those who are still less known, including Pearl Sherrod, Aretha McKinley, and Marguerite Cartwright. Blain captures human rights thinking and activism from the ground up with Black women at the center, working outside the traditional halls of power.
By shouldering intersecting forms of oppression-including racism, sexism, and classism-Black women have long been in a unique position to fight for freedom and dignity. Without Fear is an account of their aspirations, strategies, and struggles to pioneer a human rights approach to combating systems of injustice.
Without Fear tells how, during American history, Black women made humans rights theirs: from worldwide travel and public advocacy in the global Black press to their work for the United Nations, they courageously and effectively moved human rights beyond an esoteric concept to an active, organizing principle. Acclaimed historian Keisha N. Blain tells the story of these women-from the well-known, like Ida B. Wells, Madam C. J. Walker, and Lena Horne, to those who are still less known, including Pearl Sherrod, Aretha McKinley, and Marguerite Cartwright. Blain captures human rights thinking and activism from the ground up with Black women at the center, working outside the traditional halls of power.
By shouldering intersecting forms of oppression-including racism, sexism, and classism-Black women have long been in a unique position to fight for freedom and dignity. Without Fear is an account of their aspirations, strategies, and struggles to pioneer a human rights approach to combating systems of injustice.
Reviews / Votes
"An expansive view of what we all deserve... Blain chronicles two centuries of Black women's thinking, writing, and advocacy on the topic of human rights." -- Kate Tuttle - Boston Globe "This well-written and deeply researched study of Black women's fight for human rights would be a welcome addition for readers interested in Black history and social justice." -- Library Journal, starred review "A fresh look at the fight for human rights reveals the unsung leadership of Black women." -- Kirkus Reviews "Eye-opening... A thoroughly researched and invigorating look at a robust grassroots push for human rights in the 20th century." -- Publishers Weekly "In this meticulously detailed, distinctly illuminating, and invaluable history, Blain covers generations of trailblazing women." -- Amanda Dee - Booklist "Keisha N. Blain has written a necessary and bracing history of Black women's critical role over the past two centuries in defining the concept of human rights. Moving beyond the focus on diplomats and famous philosophers, Without Fear highlights the words and actions of the most marginalized women in society, whose insistence on the natural, universal, and equal rights of all human beings have made them an inspiring example to the world." -- Annette Gordon-Reed, author of On Juneteenth "In Without Fear, distinguished historian Keisha N. Blain takes us on epic journey through time as she shines a light on the too often overlooked generations of Black American women, who, from the ground up, advanced the cause of human rights at home and abroad. This is an important, and accessible work that helps to fill in a major void in our shared historical narrative. It's also an inspiring study of how Black women have continuously carried the torch of justice and made the cause of human rights their own for the uplift of all." -- Henry Louis Gates, Jr., author of The Black Box "Every page of Without Fear highlights Keisha N. Blain's research prowess. She powerfully weaves together stories from both history and the present to paint a moving portrait of what is true: Black women have always been-and remain-at the forefront of the struggle for freedom. A must-read for anyone who truly wants to understand America, and the world at large." -- Sharon McMahon, best-selling author of The Small and the Mighty and creator of Sharon Says So "Keisha N. Blain has written an elegant and insightful history of Black female civil rights activists who helped to build the movement for human rights from the bottom up. Rather than telling a conventional tale of intellectuals, diplomacy, and high politics, Blain uncovers a long line of marginalized citizens who forced the world to reckon with basic questions about global justice based on their own struggles with racial discrimination. Without Fear provides a fresh perspective on the ongoing effort to protect the safety and dignity of individuals everywhere around the globe." -- Julian E. Zelizer, author of Burning Down the House "In this engaging and important study, Keisha N. Blain reveals little known dimensions of Black women activists we already know and introduces us to others who are overlooked in our standard histories. As she aptly shows, their fight against fascism and colonialism abroad as well as discriminations of race and gender at home is evidence that the breadth of Black women's activism is as wide as the world itself." -- Paula J. Giddings, author of IDA: A Sword Among Lions, Ida B. Wells and the Campaign Against Lynching "Without Fear tells the stories of Black women who, like Deborah in the Bible, have engaged in social justice agitation, refusing to simply suffer by engaging in the redemptive work of challenging injustice while in the midst of it. Each of us can and must learn from them if we are to reconstruct America and build a just world." -- Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II, author of White PovertyMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
8 pages of illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Weight
566 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-393-88229-2 (9780393882292)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
09/2025
W. W. Norton & Company
€29.99
Available for download
Person
Keisha N. Blain is professor of Africana studies and history at Brown University. She is a Guggenheim, Carnegie, and New America Fellow; an author, most recently of Without Fear and Until I Am Free; and coeditor of the best-selling Four Hundred Souls. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island.