A necessary and bracing history.... 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

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"

In this meticulously detailed, distinctly illuminating, and invaluable history, Blain covers generations of trailblazing women.--Amanda Dee "Booklist"

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

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

Illuminating.... Without Fear is resonant and urgent.--Randy M. Browne "Los Angeles Review of Books"

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.--Henry Louis Gates, Jr., author of The Black Box

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 these women if we are to reconstruct America and build a just world.--Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II, coauthor of White Poverty

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

Eye-opening.... [A] thoroughly researched and invigorating look at a robust grassroots push for human rights in the 20th century.-- "Publishers Weekly"

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Pub date: 2026-09-29

Length: 312 pages