Valerie Solanas

Valerie Solanas, born on April 9, 1936, was a radical American feminist whose life was marked by controversy and a fierce commitment to her beliefs. She is perhaps best known for her attempted murder of the iconic artist Andy Warhol in 1968, an act that stemmed from her conviction that he was conspiring to suppress her work. Solanas had previously appeared in Warhol's film 'I, a Man' in 1967, and she was the author of the SCUM Manifesto, a provocative pamphlet advocating for the eradication of men.

On June 3, 1968, Solanas shot Warhol and art critic Mario Amaya at the Factory, leading to her arrest and charges of attempted murder, assault, and illegal possession of a firearm. Following her arrest, she was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and sentenced to three years in prison. Her time in the criminal justice system did not mark the end of her troubles; in 1971, she faced further legal issues when she threatened editors Barney Rosset and Fred Jordan of Grove Press, resulting in additional institutionalization.

Despite her tumultuous life, Solanas remained dedicated to her feminist ideals. She continued to promote the SCUM Manifesto and served as an editor for the biweekly feminist magazine Majority Report. However, as the years passed, she drifted into obscurity, facing financial difficulties and ultimately becoming destitute.

Valerie Solanas passed away in 1988 from pneumonia, leaving behind a complex legacy that continues to provoke discussion and debate within feminist circles and beyond.