Several sources are reporting, with Locus Magazine and Eileen Gunn confirming, that science fiction/fantasy author and critic Joanna Russ has passed away this morning in Tucson at the age of 74.
Russ suffered a series of strokes earlier this week and was admitted into hospice care shortly afterward. She was not expected to recover and had completed a “Do Not Resuscitate” order.
Joanna Russ’ fiction and criticism helped advance the dialogue regarding sexism in the field of science fiction and fantasy and she is perhaps most well known for her 1975 work The Female Man, the 1972 short story “When It Changed,” and her writing guide How to Suppress Women’s Writing, both of which you can read more about at the above links.
Her accomplishments continue to inspire present day SFF writers. She will be missed.