Margaret Downey
Margaret Downey | |
|---|---|
| File:11.15.07MargaretDowneyByLuigiNovi.jpg | |
| Born | 16 August 1950 (age 74) US |
| Organization | The Freethought Society |
Margaret Downey (born August 16, 1950) is a nontheist activist who is a former President of Atheist Alliance International and founder and president of the Freethought Society (formerly Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia).[1][2] She also founded the Anti-Discrimination Support Network, which reports and helps deal with discrimination against atheists.[3][4]
Early life
Downey grew up with a Puerto Rican mother and an Irish father.[1] When her father left, she adopted a family friend "Uncle Floyd" as a father-figure who encouraged Downey into atheism.[1]
Activism
Downey has been active in a variety of causes including feminism and anti-smoking campaigns before becoming a public representative of atheism.[1] Downey is also affiliated with a variety of other organizations that promote atheism and the separation of church and state such as Freedom From Religion Foundation of which she is a board member and the American Humanist Association of which she is a past board member.[4] In 2003 she was one of the signers of the Humanist Manifesto.[5]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Steven Wells (2007-11-19). "Taking the Christ out of Christmas". Philadelphia Weekly. Archived from the original on 2013-01-31. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ↑ Walter F. Naedele (2008-01-27). "Following own way, and mind". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on 2008-01-30. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ↑ "Anti-Discrimination Support Network". Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia. Archived from the original on 2007-12-21. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Secular Celebrations Presents Margaret Downey". Secular Celebration. Archived from the original on 2008-01-26. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ↑ "Notable Signers". Humanism and Its Aspirations. American Humanist Association. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
External links
- Freethought Society official website
- Downey taking part in the Blasphemy Challenge on YouTube with Brian Sapient and Kelly O'Connor of the Rational Response Squad
- Dogma Free America podcast interview with Margaret Downey