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Deena Metzger (born September 17, 1936) is a Jewish American feminist writer whose work spans multiple genres including books, plays, film, and radio shows. She has studied and taught spiritual healing practices most of her life and believes storytelling is an essential tool for healing humanity. Metzger is most recognized for her image in Hella Hamid's photograph in 1977 sometimes referred to as "The Warrior," in which Metzger stands naked, post-mastectomy, in a celebratory pose.

Early life

Deena Metzger was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1936 to Arnold and Bella Posy. Metzger credits her parents for raising her "in a rich and committed Yiddish cultural and spiritual life." As a child, Metzger aspired to write poetry and would often go on long walks along Brighton Beach for inspiration. She first attended college in 1953 at Brandeis University and Brooklyn College in 1955. She became the co-editor for the Brooklyn College literary journal with Shela Pearl. During her time as an editor, she met Victor Perera (writer) and began a life-long friendship with the fellow artist and activist. When Metzger was a teenager she promised herself she would finish her first novel by the age of 25, which she did, completing Waterwall in 1960, although this work was never published.

Professional experience

Deena Metzger has worked in psychological, medical, and spiritual healing. From 1975-1995 she worked in a private practice as a counselor. She has continued in psychological, spiritual, and creative consultations into the present with people individually and in groups. In April of 1999, Metzger initiated the Blue Flag Daré which councils for community, creativity, and healing. Metzger has also participated in ReVisioning Medicine, a council that connects Western medical practitioners and indigenous healers to engage in a dialogue with the goal of reshaping how medicine is understood and administered.

She is a creative writing teacher and feminist scholar. In the 1960's and 1970's Metzger was a member of the Critical Studies faculty at the California Institute of the Arts, taught English at Los Angeles Valley College, and was on the faculty of the Feminist Studio Worship. Metzger also founded the writing program at Woman's Building in Los Angeles. Metzger was a contributing editor to Chrysalis: A Magazine of Women's Culture that ran from 1977 to 1980 in Woman's Building.

Performed in 1980, 1990, and 1997, Metzger collaborated with Steve Kent, Michael Ortiz Hill, and Michelle George in their enactment of The Eleusinian Mysteries in Greece. This ritual had not been practiced in Greece for 1500 years.