Rachel Cargle

Rachel Cargle is an American social justice activist, public speaker, and author.

Early life and education Cargle was raised in Green, Ohio by her mother, who has polio. Her father died when she was young. Cargle and her mother lived in Section 8 housing in a wealthy suburb, which she stated made her aware of economic differences between herself and her white peers.

After graduating high school, Cargle served in the Air National Guard for six years. She cites her time in the military as making her "more critical about these organizations and not automatically trusting that they're serving the people."

She attended the University of Toledo for two years, studying anthropology and sociology before moving to Washington, D.C. at the age of 23.

Career and activism In 2017, a photo of Cargle and her friend holding signs at the 2017 Women's March went viral; Cargle's sign read, "If You Don’t Fight for All Women You Fight for No Women." Cargle has criticized what she describes as the commodification of wellness.

In 2019, Cargle studied at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research and with Imani Perry of Princeton University. Cargle has an upcoming book with The Dial Press, examining "the intersection of race, feminism, and womanhood". Her work has also been featured in The Washington Post, Glamour Magazine, PopSugar, and Essence.

Personal life Cargle is divorced.