Kathleen Hanna was a key member of the underground feminist punk Riot Grrl movement of the 1990s. The singer founded and led punk rock band Bikini Kill introducing feminist lyrics into a male-dominated genre of music and in turn influencing a generation through her art. Hanna used her position in pop culture for activism and the development of 3rd wave feminism. 

A Brief History 

In an interview with BUST Magazine Hanna recalls the impact her mother had on her journey to feminism. Hanna was first introduced to feminism at a rally in Washington D.C. she attended with her mother at 9 years of age. It was at this rally Hanna heard feminist icon Gloria Steinem speak inspiring Hanna to use her voice for feminism and fighting against prejudice and stereotypes.

Hanna explains in the interview with Bust; “my mother was a housewife and wasn’t somebody that people would think of as a feminist.” Despite her husband's disapproval Hanna's mother continued to educate Hanna in feminism, in secret. Introducing her daughter to feminist literature (Ms. Magazine), women dominated protests as well as working for domestic abuse charities throughout Hanna’s childhood. 

Hanna was the first member of her family to attend college funding her tuition and living costs by working as an exotic dancer. It was at College where Hanna immersed herself further into feminist activism. Alongside her friend photographer Aaron Baush-Greene, Hanna exhibited photographs investigating sexism, violence against women and AIDS. The college, however, took their exhibits down before they received any publicity. 

Before becoming a musician Hanna wrote and performed spoken word calling out sexism and female abuse. However after realising she would reach a wider audience by being in a band Hanna transitioned her activism to the gig room. The singer who unknowingly inspired the name of Nirvana's breakthrough single Smells Like Teen Spirit in 1991 (Hanna wrote ‘Kurt smells like teen spirit’ on Kurt Cobain's wall) sang in two bands before Bikini Kill was formed in Washington in 1990. 

Bikini Kill a 4 piece band established itself well in the punk scene becoming known for their angry shows and radical feminist lyrics. Bikini Kill encouraged women at their gigs to come to the front of the stage, and even gave them lyric sheets to sing along. Hanna was known during her shows to actively seek out male hecklers and abusers in the crowd and get them kicked out of her gigs. Bikini Kills music called for a sexual revolution combating violence towards women and sexual abuse.

Hanna’s perseverance and bravery enabled women to feel safe attending punk gigs, showing women belong anywhere men do as well as holding men accountable for their actions.

Riot Grrrl Movement 

The Riot Grrrl Movement was born in Washington D.C. during the time that Bikini Kill were performing. A subcultural movement combining feminism, punk music and politics, Riot Grrrl was a contributing factor to the development of 3rd wave feminism. 

Hanna first coined the term Grrrl in a Bikini Kill Zine, a self published artzine in 1991, featuring Girl Power slogans, art and activities. El Hunt for NME writes it was in the second edition of Bikini Kill Zine that the Riot Grrrl Manifesto was published. Although not the founding moment of the movement, it cultivated and defined feminist and activists ideals and beliefs at the time.

Bikini Kill and 3rd Wave Feminism

Kathleen played a role in the development of 3rd wave feminism which began in 1991, proving that a feminist could wear and be anything. Bikini Kill and other feminist punk bands reclaimed the term ‘girliness’ through wearing girly dresses, skirts and Hello Kitty Backpacks outfits which 2nd wave feminists had often rejected. Hanna explains in her interview with BUST magazine;

“For me, some of the youth-oriented stuff, of dressing like a little girl, was also about women who had to numb out most of their childhood due to sexual abuse. Reclaiming that. And saying, “I deserve to have a childhood and I didn’t have it, and now I’m going to have it.” It was also just about being freaks, being punk rockers...”

Kathleen Hanna’s devotion to calling out sexism and abuse enabled monumental change and progression for gender equality. Hannas work paved the way for artists of today, proving women belong anywhere that men are.

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Written by Bronwen Latham

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