Feminists vs. Authoritarians: Honoring Leaders Holding the Line

Ms. magazine paid tribute to bold leaders operating at the intersection of media, the law and storytelling.

This story was originally published by The Contrarian.

Greetings from Los Angeles—on the heels of a very special evening to celebrate the heart and soul of the democracy movement. Contrarian readers might know that in addition to this weekly column, I am part of the leadership team at the iconic Ms. magazine.

On Tuesday night, Ms. and its nonprofit publisher Feminist Majority Foundation paid tribute at the Global Women’s Rights Awards to bold leaders operating at the intersection of media, the law and storytelling—recognizing these as the essential trifecta (or, in Contrarian co-founder and editor in chief Jen Rubin’s words, “the secret sauce”) for toppling authoritarianism. And, importantly, for fueling a feminist future.

For me, that meant a collision of worlds in all the best possible ways!

Rubin was joined by Contrarian publisher and co-founder Norm Eisen to represent The Contrarian as it was honored by Ms. for its uniquely dynamic and independent journalism.

Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, was celebrated for the organization’s sweeping legal strategy to shut down the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine democracy, roll back civil liberties and abortion access, and dismantle vital federal programs, including food assistance.

And the team behind the Broadway smash hit Liberation—playwright Bess Wohl, director Whitney White and Lisa Cronin Wohl, OG Ms. writer from the 1970s and mom to (and inspiration for) Bess—were recognized for the show’s service as both a work of art and a call to action.

“This year’s event comes at a critical time, as women’s rights face growing challenges nationwide and globally. We celebrate the myriad ways feminists—and feminist storytelling and journalism—are playing an essential role in resisting authoritarianism and envisioning a more just and equal future,” said Ms. executive editor Katherine Spillar, who also serves as executive director of the Feminist Majority Foundation.

At a moment when too many legacy institutions have shown they can be bought and sold by the Trump administration, this particular constellation of leaders deserve all the flowers. The ideas they individually and collectively nourish and advance will surely shape the next chapter of American democracy.

Ms. is hardly alone in its admiration. As one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People of 2025,” Perryman is well known for leading with “bold, swift action”—joined by a team that is majority women. Among the media praise Liberation has earned, critics say it “does more than appeal to resistance-frazzled nerves. It offers vibrant, complex characters who embody the individual stakes entangled behind efforts at solidarity.” And all of us in The Contrarian orbit know firsthand the electrifying force that this site is—embodied by its staff, contributors and readers, who share a commitment to unflinching debate and discourse.