Remembering Kathleen Thompson: A Life of Activism and Creativity
On December 21, Kathleen Thompson, a prominent writer, feminist, artist, and activist, passed away from liver failure, a consequence of her three-year battle with breast cancer. She was 78 years old.
Born on September 12, 1946, in Chicago, Thompson moved to Oklahoma City at the age of five. She lived there for most of her youth alongside her parents, Leslie and Frances Thompson, and her siblings—two brothers, Paul and Michael, and two sisters, Tracy and Sara. During her time at U.S. Grant High School, she was elected student body president and participated in the debate team, in addition to serving as president of the Oklahoma City District Methodist Youth Fellowship.
In a 2007 interview with Chicago Gay History, Thompson attributed her commitment to equality and justice for all to her Methodist minister father and her mother, a dedicated English teacher. Her activism against racial injustice began in the summer of 1963 when she witnessed the protests led by the local NAACP chapter, highlighting the exclusion of Black individuals from amusement parks.
A pivotal moment came when Thompson received a call from a reporter who relayed that her Methodist Youth Fellowship group supported the civil rights struggle. Motivated to make a stand, she urged white students to boycott the amusement parks, leading to her photograph appearing on the front page of the newspaper—a moment she humbly deemed “not great courage.”
Thompson continued her education at Northwestern University in Chicago, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1968. During her university years, Thompson became actively involved in the anti-war movement against the Vietnam War, and recounted being present in Grant Park during the 1968 Democratic National Convention without experiencing any injury or arrest.
After graduation, Thompson made Chicago her permanent home, expressing her deep affection for the city in her interview, stating, “Chicago is the only city I would ever consider living in for any length of time. It’s a great place. I love the people here very much; I never want to leave.”
To support her burgeoning writing career, Thompson worked various jobs, including a position at Northwestern University Press, where she encountered the influential “Bitch Manifesto.” This experience led her to connect with a community of feminist writers. With this momentum, she opened Pride and Prejudice, Chicago’s first feminist bookstore, located at 3322 N. Halsted St. This bookstore fostered a feminist collective that organized a women’s rap group and provided pregnancy testing and abortion counseling through the underground Jane Network. The collective also produced The Source, a women’s liberation directory.
During this time, Thompson also became involved with the queer rights movement and began dating women, attending gatherings that later evolved into the Chicago Lesbian Liberation meetings.
Pride and Prejudice eventually transformed into the Women’s Center, which hosted an artist’s collective, musical performances, and provided lesbian counseling services, as well as organizing Family of Woman dance events. Thompson and her friends marched in the early Chicago Pride parades, though a rift within the collective led her to retreat from both the women’s movement and queer rights activism to refocus on her writing.
Thompson’s prolific writing career was highlighted by her first book, Against Rape (1974), co-written with Andra Medea. This groundbreaking feminist work amplified the conversation around rape on a global scale and earned accolades for being banned by the apartheid-era South African government, which Thompson cited as a proud achievement. The book arose from a conference in downtown Chicago in 1972, and it garnered seven printings, subsequently included in many Rape Crisis centers and used in university women’s studies courses until 1990.
Her subsequent works included Feeding on Dreams (1994), co-authored with psychologist Diane Pinkert Epstein, which explored the exploitative nature of the diet industry, and this collaboration brought her onto The Oprah Winfrey Show. In 1997, she co-edited the Encyclopedia of Black Women, which led to the writing of A Shining Thread of Hope: The History of Black Women in America (1998), in partnership with renowned historian Darlene Clark Hine.
In 1999, Thompson began her collaboration with Hilary Mac Austin, leading to three significant documentary works that documented the experiences and histories of Black women. Their final collaboration, Examining the Evidence: Seven Strategies for Teaching with Primary Sources (2014) won a Learning Magazine Teachers Choice Award in 2016. They also established the non-profit organization One History in 2003 dedicated to educational resources.
Thompson had an enduring passion for writing, publishing over 100 children’s and young adult books, all while navigating the world of educational publishing. In 1987, she co-founded an educational development house, Sense and Nonsense.
In 1978, Kathleen met actor Michael “Mike” Nowak shortly after he relocated to Chicago. Their connection blossomed through their shared passion for performing arts. Notably, Kathleen made a significant mark in the Chicago theater scene when she became one of the first female playwrights and artistic directors at The Commons Theatre, co-founding it with Nowak and others in 1980. Throughout her six years with The Commons, Kathleen directed eight of her own plays, including the notable musical comedy Caught in the Act. Their collaboration emphasized feminist ideals, though they intentionally refrained from labeling their work in that manner.
The couple’s romantic relationship deepened as they moved in together in 1983, sharing a home in Logan Square for 24 years. Kathleen embraced the title “The Book Lady” as she offered children’s and young adult books to neighborhood youth for free, fostering a love of reading in her community through this generous initiative.
After The Commons closed in 1990, Thompson redoubled her writing efforts, while Nowak transitioned to radio broadcasting. Their shared dedication led them to create the Green on McLean community garden, which became a sanctuary in Logan Square, successfully deterring gang activity and fostering community ties. Their efforts there earned them recognition from the Chicago Police Department.
In recent years, Thompson initiated a successful upcycling venture, Strictly Hodgepodge, focusing on jewelry crafted from vintage materials. During this time, she played a crucial role in the Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards (CEGA), co-managing the organization and its resources.
Thompson’s commitment to preserving LGBTQ+ and feminist history in Chicago led her to collaborate with the Newberry Library, ensuring the archives of photographer Eunice Hundseth were included in its collection. Additionally, she developed educational materials related to primary sources for K-12 classrooms in partnership with the library.
Thompson was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Sara. She is survived by her partner, Nowak; her siblings Paul (Jan) and Michael (Shirley) Thompson; sister Tracy (Steve) Moncure; numerous nieces, nephews, and an extensive network of chosen family and friends.
Nowak reflected on Thompson’s profound kindness and her fierce advocacy for women and marginalized communities. He noted her ability to brighten someone’s day with a compliment, embodying the lessons she learned from her father about the power of kindness.
Siblings’ Memories
Her sister Tracy Moncure recalled, “Kathleen’s brilliance, her caregiver spirit, her tenacity, and her very existence were a part of who she was. Her light will remain in our hearts forever.”
Her brother Paul Thompson remembered Kathleen as a life-long inspiration. He cherished her bravery and activism, recalling the pride he felt when she led civil rights demonstrations at just 16 years old.
The tributes from friends, collaborators, and family highlight Thompson’s remarkable legacy filled with compassion, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Renowned author Hilary Mac Austin noted Kathleen’s fierce intelligence and ability to walk with humility and insight, emphasizing her lasting impact on both history and personal relationships.
Musician Judy Handler shared fond memories of their deep friendship. Kathleen’s unwavering support for her music and her countless acts of kindness captured the essence of who she was—an extraordinary force whose absence will be profoundly felt.
Kathleen Thompson will be missed immensely by all who knew her. Her life was a testament to the power of words, the importance of community, and the tireless fight for equality and justice.
A memorial service will take place at a later date, with details to be announced.
