In 2020, following the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the shifting dynamics of the U.S. Supreme Court, I felt a surge of emotions—anger, frustration, and a deep desire for change. As a lifelong feminist and foodie, I turned to my kitchen as a sanctuary, experimenting with bold, sweet-heat flavors, bottling my feelings one batch at a time. This culinary journey led to more than just hot sauce; it sparked a rebellion.​

Female Rage officially launched in Washington, D.C., with a mission to transform women's anger into action and activism. By channeling fiery energy into a tangible product, we aim to support causes that matter. That's why a portion of every sale goes toward supporting the DC Abortion Fund, ensuring safe and accessible abortions for people nationwide. ​

That’s why we proudly advocate for reproductive justice and donate to the DC Abortion Fund.

Marla is the face of Female Rage, and an expression of our founder Emily. Her name (derived from Emily’s late great-uncle Martin) is also Emily’s middle name.

In the 1960’s, Martin left small-town Massachusetts for New York City – a place where he was able to be openly gay – to attend Columbia University, and scored a rent-stabilized apartment on the Upper West Side. Martin was a writer who loved food, art, traveling, and opera. He passed away in the 1980’s AIDS epidemic, but Emily proudly keeps his legacy alive.

In 2020, fresh out of college and job-hunting, Emily started experimenting with hot peppers in her parents' kitchen. Weeks later, after the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the political sh*tstorm that followed, her first sauce had a name — Female Rage.

In the following years, Emily cultivated a grassroots movement (literally!), ditching store-bought peppers for a homegrown pepper garden in her DC backyard. Then, outraged by the overturning of Roe v. Wade, she subsequently hosted two fundraising parties – dubbed Hot Dogs for Abortions – and raised $5,000 for two abortion funds in the South. The energy from these parties got her thinking: What if I could continue this work with Female Rage? 

At the start of 2024, Emily got down to business, and started selling across the DMV and at her local farmers market in Bloomingdale, all while making regular donations to the DC Abortion Fund. Before long, she realized that her backyard garden couldn’t keep up with Female Rage – she needed more peppers! Today, Emily proudly sources her peppers from Deep Roots Farm in Upper Marlboro, MD and continues to blend every bottle with passion in Washington, D.C.