Kathy Spillar

Katherine Spillar is the Executive Director of Feminist Majority Foundation and Feminist Majority, national organizations working for women’s equality, empowerment, and non-violence. One of the founders, Spillar has been a driving force in executing the organizations’ diverse programs securing women’s rights both domestically and globally since its inception in 1987. An expert on anti-abortion terrorism, Spilllar has overseen the organization’s research and public education activities, law enforcement relations, litigation, as well as grassroots organizing to keep clinics open in the face of extremist violence. She has played a vital role in the organization’s work to mobilize young feminists on college and high school campuses.

In December 2001, the Feminist Majority Foundation became the sole publisher of Ms. magazine (founded in 1972). Spillar oversaw relocation of the iconic magazine’s editorial operations from New York City to Los Angeles, and in 2005, was named Executive Editor. Under her oversight, Ms. has increased its investigative reporting and today is one of the largest print and online feminist news sites reaching readers from across the globe. Under her direction, Ms. has developed an innovative digital textbook resource, Ms. Classroom, covering current feminist topics and activism and used by instructors for all levels of women’s and gender studies courses in hundreds of college and university programs across the country.

Prior to co-founding the Feminist Majority Foundation, Spillar served four terms as President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Organization for Women, the largest chapter of NOW at the time. She currently serves as a commissioner on the Los Angeles County Women & Girls Initiative. Spillar is a magna cum laude graduate of Texas Christian University (TCU), and holds a Master of Science interdisciplinary degree in Economics and Urban Studies from Trinity University. In 2018, Spillar was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by TCU.