Peg Yorkin, a prominent feminist philanthropist and activist who played a key role in bringing mifepristone, the most common method of abortion, to the United States, passed away on Sunday night at the age of 96. Her daughter, Nicole Yorkin, confirmed her passing, attributing it to a prolonged illness.
Yorkin served as chair of the Feminist Majority Foundation, a national organization she co-founded in 1987. The foundation champions women's equality, reproductive health, and non-violence. Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation and publisher of Ms. magazine, lauded Yorkin as a "feminist philanthropist, leader and activist, who also was a truth teller."
In the early 1990s, Yorkin spearheaded efforts to introduce mifepristone to the U.S., facing opposition from anti-abortion groups. In 1991, she made a significant $10 million donation to the Feminist Majority Foundation, earmarking half of it for this cause. "I, for one, am putting my money where my mouth is," she declared at a press conference, urging other women to join her in financially supporting the movement.
Peg Yorkin at the 11th Annual Global Women's Rights Awards in Los Angeles on May 9, 2016. (Rob Latour/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Mifepristone ultimately received FDA approval in 2000 and has since been used by millions of women. However, it continues to be a target of legal challenges from abortion opponents. Beyond reproductive rights, Yorkin also actively worked to increase female representation in politics, notably through the Feminization of Power campaign, which aimed to support women running for office at state and national levels.
Prior to her women's rights advocacy, Yorkin had a career in Los Angeles live theatre production. In 1986, she collaborated with Eleanor Smeal on a production commemorating the 20th anniversary of the National Organization for Women, showcasing the feminist movement's progress. This event was later documented in a video for educational purposes.
Born in New York City in 1927, Yorkin attended Barnard College before pursuing dance at the Neighborhood Playhouse. She married Bud Yorkin, the director of iconic television shows like "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," in 1954. The couple had two children, Nicole and David, both of whom became television writers. Yorkin is also survived by four grandchildren.
