Kristin Lems
Kristin Lems is a folk singer who, in her twenties, began writing songs and appearing at rallies in support of the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment), safe energy, peace, civil rights, and other causes. She founded the National Women's Festival in 1974. At the National Organization for Women (NOW) Convention in 1978, Gloria Steinem introduced Kristin Lems as "a one-woman argument against the notion that the women's movement doesn't have a sense of humor."
The Best of Broadside: 84. "We Will Never Give Up"
"We Will Never Give Up" was written by Lems on her way to an ERA rally. She got the words from a popular ERA poster written by Jill Ruckelshaus, who was a feminist activist in Washington State. Lems performed the song shortly thereafter for 18,000 people. The song became an anthem and was chanted at a rally in Washington, D.C., where people joined hands and raised them, swaying, above their heads (Lems, personal communication, 2000). Lems advocates the fight for women's rights and peace in this powerful song.
Kristin Lems. Photo by Diana Davies.
Text extracted from the notes by Jeff Place accompanying The Best of Broadside.
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings featuring Kristin Lems:
Gay and Straight Together (FW08580)