The Worldwide Family of Militant Women

[RECORDED MARCH 27, 2026] Arlene Eisen joins us to talk about her book In the Worldwide Family of Militant Women (Iskra Books), which she describes as a social history of the 1960s through the early 1980s, tracing her political journey through movements shaped by Black liberation and Vietnam. We discuss her time with revolutionaries in places like Peru, Cuba, and Vietnam; radical trade union organizing among Indigenous peasants, and an encouraging encounter with Malcolm X at a Harlem rent-strike meeting. She discusses helping found an SDS chapter at Cornell, her work with The Movement newspaper as a Bay Area link between Black liberation struggles and the white New Left, and reporting on revolutionary figures from Cuba like Haydée Santamaría. Arelene argues for a global anti-imperialist women's movement, and emphasizes clarity on imperialism, internationalism, humility, and lifelong struggle. Purchase a copy of her book or download the free PDF Find 'The Movement' newspaper at Freedom Archives Intro song: Move On Over by Len Chandler (1965) Outro song: Attica Blues by Archie Shepp (1972)   05:13 Arlene Introduces the Book 08:46 Peru Fieldwork and Radicalization 12:45 Repression and Malcolm X 18:35 Women Madness and Revolution 21:46 California and SDS Lessons 29:11 The Movement Newspaper 33:09 Cuba Then and Now 47:15 Vietnam Militant Women 52:57 Anti Imperialist Feminism, Repro Justice 57:35 Project 2025, Forced Breeding 01:02:19 Atlanta Child Murders 01:07:44 Single Issue Organizing, Movement Lessons