Born: 23 December 1869, United States
Died: 5 March 1929
Country most active: United States
Also known as: Lillian Susan Harman
The following bio was written by Emma Rosen, author of On This Day She Made History: 366 Days With Women Who Shaped the World and This Day In Human Ingenuity & Discovery: 366 Days of Scientific Milestones with Women in the Spotlight, and has been republished with permission.
Lillian Harman-O’Brien, a remarkable American feminist, was born in 1869. Her life was dedicated to championing women’s sexual freedom and challenging societal norms. Born in Crawford County, Missouri, she grew up in an environment where her father, Moses Harman, edited “Lucifer, the Light-Bearer,” a regional paper that exposed her to issues related to women’s autonomy.
At the age of sixteen in 1886, Lillian entered into a “free marriage” with Edwin C. Walker, a man two decades her senior. This act of defiance was a protest against the unequal power dynamics in traditional marriages, which often left women without property, identity, or control over their bodies. Her courage led to her conviction for breaking Kansas’ marriage laws and subsequent imprisonment, making her a national symbol for women’s sexual freedom.
Lillian’s impact extended beyond her personal life. After her release from prison, she played a pivotal role in editing “Lucifer,” which became a platform for advocating sex radicalism in America. She also established “Fair Play,” an anarchist publication she co-published with her husband, and collaborated with her father on publications related to eugenics. In 1897, she became the president of the British Legitimation League, advocating for the legitimation of nonmarital relationships and defending property and inheritance rights for children born outside traditional marriages. Her fearless activism garnered international recognition and solidified her status as a trailblazer in the feminist movement.