Kathleen Hanna

The Julie Ruin, with Kathleen Hanna, center, performs during Fun Fun Fun Fest on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP)

(Jack Plunkett/AP/Invision)

When the term "riot grrrl" first broke into the national conversation in the '90s, it was generally used to as a call to arms by the members of female-led bands like Bikini Kill, Huggy Bear and Tribe 8 -- acts that were providing an unfortunately necessary alternative to the male-dominated underground rock scene. Two decades later, "riot grrrl" has come to signify so much more.

The influence of that movement is still being felt in the work of feminist musicians like the members of Pussy Riot and Screaming Females. But there are also echoes of it in the work of cultural commentators like Anita Sarkeesian, who has come under attack for her criticism of sexism in video games, and Tavi Gevinson, whose website "Rookie" has been a platform for information and inspiration for teen girls.

If there is a public face for riot grrrls, it remains Kathleen Hanna. That's, in part, why her sold out lecture on the subject-- set for Tuesday April 28 at Southeast Portland's Revolution Hall -- has been one of the most talked-about events of the spring.

Hanna's former band Bikini Kill helped stoke the fires of the movement with anthemic punk songs that urged "Revolution girl style now." Her fanzine publications featured consciousness-raising essays and support for young musicians. When the group dissolved in 1997, Hanna continued playing music first with her electro-pop group Le Tigre and, more recently, with her soulful rock band The Julie Ruin. She also accepts speaking engagements around the world.

Through all of Hanna's work and that of her fellow riot grrrls, the goal has always been simple. As she told The Guardian last year, "I just wanted to make sure other girls found out about feminism. It didn't have to be our moms' feminism; we needed to build on what they had created and change it and make it better." And if the current chorus of voices are any indication, they have succeeded mightily.

-- Robert Ham for The Oregonian/OregonLive.com

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Kathleen Hanna: Riot Grrrl Then and Now Lecture

When: 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 28

Where: Revolution Hall, 1300 S.E. Stark St.

Tickets: Sold out; minors under 21 allowed with parent or legal guardian

More info: revolutionhallpdx.com