History of Naomi Wolf in Timeline
Naomi Rebekah Wolf is a prominent American figure known for her work as an author, journalist, and commentator on various sociopolitical issues. She has written extensively on feminist topics, notably her book "The Beauty Myth," which critiques societal beauty standards and their impact on women. Wolf's work often delves into power dynamics, cultural criticism, and social justice, making her a significant voice in contemporary feminist discourse.
1962: Birth of Naomi Wolf
Naomi Rebekah Wolf is born in 1962 in San Francisco, California to a Jewish family.
1970: The Influence of 1970s Feminism
Reviewing Wolf's work, Claire Dederer noted the influence of 1970s feminism, which sought to address all aspects of women's lives, on Wolf's writing style, particularly her strength in memoir and personal reflection.
1980: Emergence of Anti-Feminism
The 1980s see the rise of anti-feminist sentiment within the conservative and materialistic yuppie culture.
1983: Alleged Incident with Harold Bloom
Naomi Wolf alleged that Harold Bloom touched her inappropriately in 1983.
1984: Graduation from Yale University
Naomi Wolf graduates from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature in 1984.
1990: Criticism of "The Beauty Myth"
Christina Hoff Sommers criticizes Naomi Wolf for an inaccurate statistic about anorexia deaths in "The Beauty Myth." Sommers estimates 100-400 annual fatalities in 1990.
1991: Anita Hill's Testimony and the "Genderquake"
In 1991, Anita Hill's sexual harassment allegations against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas sparked what Wolf would later term a "genderquake" in "Fire with Fire," suggesting a significant shift in American women's political consciousness.
1991: Publication of "The Beauty Myth"
In 1991, Naomi Wolf published her first book, "The Beauty Myth," which propelled her to prominence in the third wave of feminism. The book received praise from prominent feminists but also faced criticism.
1991: International Recognition for "The Beauty Myth"
Naomi Wolf gains international recognition in 1991 as a spokesperson for third-wave feminism following the publication of her international bestseller, "The Beauty Myth."
1993: Naomi Wolf Marries David Shipley
Naomi Wolf married journalist David Shipley, an editor at The New York Times, in 1993.
1993: Publication of Fire with Fire
Naomi Wolf's book "Fire with Fire" was published in 1993, advocating for a shift from "victim feminism" to "power feminism." Wolf urged women to focus on broader issues like violence against women and pay disparities rather than solely on opposing men or divisive topics like abortion.
October 1995: Wolf Critiques Pro-Choice Movement
In October 1995, Naomi Wolf sparked debate with an article in The New Republic where she criticized the language used by the pro-choice movement, arguing for a more nuanced discussion acknowledging the moral complexities of abortion.
1995: Questioning of Statistics in "The Beauty Myth"
British journalist Joan Smith questions the source of statistics about eating disorders in the UK presented by Naomi Wolf in "The Beauty Myth."
1996: Advisor for Clinton's Re-election Campaign
Naomi Wolf is involved in President Bill Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign as an advisor, brainstorming ideas to resonate with female voters.
1997: Publication of Promiscuities
In 1997, Naomi Wolf published "Promiscuities," exploring the evolving landscape of adolescent sexuality. Wolf critiqued the abundance of male coming-of-age narratives in literature while highlighting the suppression of female perspectives. She advocated for comprehensive sex education that included topics like masturbation and mutual masturbation.
November 1999: Unpaid Advisor for Clinton Campaign
Dick Morris reveals in November 1999 that Naomi Wolf had been an unpaid advisor for President Bill Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign, offering advice on strategies to attract female voters.
2001: Interview with The Guardian
In 2001, Naomi Wolf gives an interview to Katharine Viner of The Guardian, discussing her role in Al Gore's campaign and the pay disparity she experienced.
2003: Wolf Explores Impact of Internet Pornography
In 2003, Naomi Wolf published an article suggesting a link between the rise of internet pornography and a decrease in male sexual desire for women. She argued that overexposure to pornography could lead to desensitization.
2004: Naomi Wolf Apologizes for Insensitive Post, Questions Media Coverage of ISIS
After facing backlash, Naomi Wolf issued an apology for an earlier insensitive post. She clarified her stance on the ISIS beheading videos, stating that while she doesn't doubt their authenticity, she believes their source's potential conflicts of interest should be disclosed.
2004: Public Accusation Against Harold Bloom
In 2004, Naomi Wolf publicly accused literary scholar Harold Bloom of touching her inappropriately in 1983.
2005: Wolf Analyzes Bush's Appeal to Women
In 2005, Naomi Wolf wrote an article for New York magazine analyzing how George W. Bush presented himself to women voters. She also characterized abortion as a complex issue, moving away from what she perceived as extreme positions.
2005: Naomi Wolf and David Shipley Divorce
Naomi Wolf and David Shipley divorced in 2005.
2007: Publication of "The End of America"
Naomi Wolf publishes "The End of America" in 2007, which becomes a bestseller.
October 2008: Documentary Adaptation of The End of America
In October 2008, a documentary film based on Naomi Wolf's book "The End of America" premiered. The film, directed by Annie Sundberg and Ricki Stern, received mixed reviews, with some critics praising its filmmaking while others found its conclusions unconvincing.
2008: Wolf on Veiling and Sexuality in Muslim Cultures
In 2008, Naomi Wolf wrote about her experiences in Muslim countries and her understanding of veiling. She suggested that Western interpretations often misunderstand the practice, which she saw as rooted in cultural and religious beliefs about modesty and marital relationships rather than solely oppression.
2008: Publication of The End of America and Call for Bush's Arrest
Naomi Wolf released "The End of America: Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot" in 2008, drawing parallels between the rise of fascism and post-9/11 America. Wolf's comparisons of George W. Bush's administration to fascist regimes drew criticism. Notably, a month before the 2008 election, she controversially called for Bush's arrest, alleging an ongoing coup.
December 20, 2010: Wolf Debates Assange Case on Democracy Now!
On December 20, 2010, Naomi Wolf participated in a debate on Democracy Now! about the allegations against Julian Assange. Wolf's stance sparked controversy as she questioned the accusers' accounts and suggested they should have explicitly refused consent.
2010: Wolf Defends Julian Assange
In 2010, following Julian Assange's arrest, Naomi Wolf came to his defense. She downplayed the sexual assault allegations against him, suggesting they were politically motivated and even implying the accusers were associated with the CIA.
2010: Comparisons Between Obama and Hitler
In a 2010 interview, Naomi Wolf sparked controversy by comparing certain actions taken by President Barack Obama to those of Adolf Hitler, framing them within a broader discussion of dictatorships.
March 15, 2011: Formal Complaint Filed Against Yale
A formal complaint was filed against Yale University on March 15, 2011, alleging a sexually hostile environment.
March 2011: Federal Investigation of Yale Begins
A federal investigation into Yale University began in March 2011 following complaints of a sexually hostile environment.
October 18, 2011: Wolf Arrested During Occupy Wall Street Protests
Naomi Wolf was arrested and briefly detained on October 18, 2011, during the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York City. She was accused of disobeying police orders, although she maintained she was following the law.
2011: Naomi Wolf's Claims about the Occupy Crackdown
In 2011, Naomi Wolf alleged that the crackdown on the Occupy movement was coordinated between the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, local police, and major banks.
2011: Wolf Argues Against Anonymity for Rape Accusers
In 2011, Naomi Wolf sparked further controversy by arguing against anonymity for rape accusers. She believed the practice protected institutions more than victims and used the Assange case to illustrate her point.
June 2012: Yale Settles Federal Complaint
Yale University settled the federal complaint regarding the allegations of a hostile environment in June 2012.
September 2012: Laurie Penny Criticizes Wolf's Stance on Assange
In September 2012, writer Laurie Penny criticized Naomi Wolf for using her platform to dismiss the allegations against Julian Assange. Penny argued that Wolf's stance was damaging to victims of sexual assault.
December 2012: Naomi Wolf Reports FBI Surveillance of Occupy Movement
In December 2012, Naomi Wolf revealed in a Guardian article that the FBI had been extensively monitoring the Occupy movement, utilizing counterterrorism resources.
January 2013: Mark Nuckols Criticizes Wolf's Work
In January 2013, law and business professor Mark Nuckols published a critique of Naomi Wolf's work. He accused her of distorting historical facts and manipulating sources to fit her political agenda, particularly in her claims about an impending fascist coup in America.
June 2013: Naomi Wolf Expresses Skepticism over Edward Snowden
In June 2013, Naomi Wolf publicly questioned the legitimacy of NSA leaker Edward Snowden, suggesting he might be a plant by the "Police State."
2013: Criticism of The End of America
Mark Nuckols challenged the historical parallels drawn by Naomi Wolf in "The End of America," asserting that she selectively interpreted historical events and misrepresented sources to support her claims.
October 2014: Naomi Wolf Promotes Conspiracy Theories on ISIS Videos and Ebola
Throughout October 2014, Naomi Wolf made several controversial claims, including suggesting that ISIS beheading videos were staged and that the U.S. intended to bring Ebola back from Africa to justify a military takeover.
2014: Labeling as Conspiracy Theorist
From around 2014, journalists and media outlets begin to label Naomi Wolf as a conspiracy theorist due to her spreading misinformation on various topics.
2014: Analysis of Women in Neofascist Movements
Naomi Wolf explored the phenomenon of women assuming leadership roles within neofascist political movements in a 2014 article published in The Globe and Mail, examining the motivations of women raised in liberal democracies embracing such ideologies.
2014: Meeting Brian William O'Shea
Naomi Wolf met her future husband, Brian William O'Shea, in 2014 after receiving threats related to her reporting on human rights violations.
2014: Yale's Progress Report Due
Yale was required to report on its progress to the Office of Civil Rights until May 2014 following their settlement.
2015: Harold Bloom's Denial
Harold Bloom denied ever being alone with Naomi Wolf when she accused him of inappropriate touching in 1983.
2015: Completion of Doctoral Thesis on Repression of Homosexuality
In 2015, Naomi Wolf completed her doctoral thesis, which examined the historical repression of homosexuality in relation to societal attitudes towards divorce, prostitution, and censorship, under the supervision of Stefano-Maria Evangelista at Oxford University.
2015: Alleged Blocking of Grievance at Yale
Naomi Wolf alleged that Yale University refused to accept her formal complaint against Harold Bloom in 2015.
2015: Wolf Receives DPhil
Naomi Wolf received her DPhil in 2015. This event would later become embroiled in controversy as the work was scrutinized and challenged for inaccuracies.
January 2018: Accusation of Yale Blocking Grievance
Naomi Wolf accused Yale officials of preventing her from filing a formal grievance against Harold Bloom in January 2018.
January 16, 2018: Attempt to File Formal Grievance
On January 16, 2018, Naomi Wolf attempted to file a formal grievance against Harold Bloom at Yale, alleging that the university had previously blocked her efforts in 2015.
November 23, 2018: Marriage to Brian William O'Shea
On November 23, 2018, Naomi Wolf married Brian William O'Shea, a U.S. Army veteran and private investigator.
March 20, 2019: Death of Leonard Wolf
Leonard Wolf, Naomi Wolf's father, passes away from Parkinson's disease on March 20, 2019.
May 2019: Wolf Defends Outrages at Hay Festival
Following the revelation of a factual error in her book, Naomi Wolf defended "Outrages" at the Hay Festival, stating that she had corrected the mistake.
May 2019: Publication of Outrages in the UK
May 2019 marked the release of Naomi Wolf's book "Outrages: Sex, Censorship, and the Criminalization of Love" in the United Kingdom, published by Virago Press.
June 12, 2019: Outrages Named on Oprah Magazine's Summer Reading List
Naomi Wolf's book "Outrages: Sex, Censorship, and the Criminalization of Love" was featured on Oprah Magazine's recommended summer reading list.
October 18, 2019: US Publication of Outrages Cancelled
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt made the decision to cancel the US publication of "Outrages" due to the factual error and scholarly criticism surrounding the book. Copies that had already been printed and distributed were pulled from circulation.
2019: Controversy Surrounding "Outrages"
Controversy arises around Naomi Wolf's book "Outrages" in 2019, leading to the cancellation of its U.S. publication due to serious misinterpretations of court records.
2019: Factual Error in Outrages Identified
During a BBC radio interview, Matthew Sweet revealed a significant factual error in Naomi Wolf's "Outrages." Wolf had misinterpreted the legal term "death recorded," assuming it meant execution when it signified a pardon or commuted sentence. Other reviewers also pointed out scholarly inaccuracies within the book, leading to significant controversy and scrutiny.
2019: Revisiting The Beauty Myth
In 2019, literary critic Maris Kreizman reflected on the impact of Naomi Wolf's "The Beauty Myth," acknowledging its initial influence on her feminism during her undergraduate years. However, Kreizman's perspective shifted over time, viewing Wolf's later works as less substantial and marked by increasingly bold claims.
2019: Publication of "Outrages"
Naomi Wolf's book "Outrages: Sex, Censorship, and the Criminalization of Love," based on her doctoral thesis, is published in 2019. The thesis, however, is met with criticism and corrections for its scholarship.
November 2020: UK Paperback Edition of "Outrages" and Controversy
In November 2020, a UK paperback edition of Naomi Wolf's book "Outrages" was published with corrections to inaccuracies from the hardback. The book, however, continued to draw criticism for misrepresenting historical sources and misinterpreting legal history, leading to calls for further examination of Wolf's work.
December 2020: Wolf Submits Thesis with Embargo Request
In December 2020, more than five years after being awarded her DPhil, Naomi Wolf submitted her thesis to the archive. She requested a one-year embargo extension to seek legal advice, which was declined.
February 2021: Naomi Wolf's Appearance on Tucker Carlson Tonight
On Fox News's Tucker Carlson Tonight in February 2021, Naomi Wolf argued that COVID-19 restrictions were pushing the U.S. towards totalitarianism, urging viewers to resist before it was too late.
March 2021: Naomi Wolf's Claims About Lockdowns and Human Rights Violations
During a March 2021 interview with Sky News Australia, Naomi Wolf made several claims regarding lockdown policies, alleging they were invented by Xi Jinping, violated human rights, involved lies to the public, and constituted psychological torture.
March 2021: Delayed Availability of Wolf's Thesis Raises Concerns
In March 2021, it was reported that Naomi Wolf's DPhil thesis was still unavailable six years after its examination, raising concerns about transparency and potential delays in academic publishing.
April 2021: Wolf's Thesis Made Public with Corrections
In April 2021, Naomi Wolf's thesis was finally made available to the public. The published version included nine pages of corrections, primarily addressing the misreading of historical criminal records.
April 2021: Naomi Wolf Promotes Conspiracy Theories About COVID-19 Vaccines
Naomi Wolf actively participated in spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines, specifically promoting the unfounded claim that they cause female infertility, leading to criticism and ridicule for her irresponsible stance.
April 19, 2021: Naomi Wolf's Accusations Against Anthony Fauci
On April 19, 2021, Naomi Wolf accused Dr. Anthony Fauci of having conflicting loyalties to Israel, claiming he received $1 million from them, which was actually a prestigious award for public service.
June 2021: Twitter Suspension
Naomi Wolf's Twitter account is suspended in June 2021 for spreading anti-vaccine misinformation.
June 2021: Twitter Permanently Suspends Naomi Wolf's Account
Twitter permanently suspended Naomi Wolf's account in June 2021 for violating their policies.
July 2021: Naomi Wolf Joins Trump's Social Media Lawsuit
In July 2021, it was reported that Naomi Wolf joined former President Donald Trump's lawsuit against social media companies, claiming Twitter's suspension significantly harmed her business and income.
May 23, 2022: Naomi Wolf's Appearance on The Charlie Kirk Show
Appearing on The Charlie Kirk Show on May 23, 2022, Naomi Wolf made several claims, including alleging military-aged men were being sent to the U.S. to support a WHO takeover and expressing concern about a potential civil war.
October 2022: Naomi Wolf's Statements on COVID-19 Vaccines on GB News
In October 2022, Naomi Wolf, during an interview on GB News, stated that COVID-19 vaccines were part of a larger scheme to dismantle British society, leading to an investigation by Ofcom and a subsequent finding that GB News had breached broadcasting regulations.
January 2023: Naomi Wolf and Steve Bannon Promote Pfizer Documents Analysis Report
Naomi Wolf appeared alongside Steve Bannon on his War Room show in January 2023 to promote a book challenging the safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines, claiming it was based on analysis of Pfizer documents by 3,500 medical experts.
2023: Subject of Naomi Klein's "Doppelganger"
Naomi Wolf's frequent confusion with author Naomi Klein became a central theme in Klein's 2023 book, "Doppelganger."
