Revenge Is Her Name

Written by Alison Stecker, Online Editor | Content Warning: This article discusses SA and rape

Society is fixated on the idea of vigilante justice, yet less on women’s rebellious ruses. In a perfect world, rectitude would be served for every criminal act, but reality exposes how this achievement falls short for many, especially women. We are constantly fighting back against oppression and abuse. Female vigilantes’ motives are deeply rooted in disrupting these patriarchal systems, but to what extent will they go to kill? The following are untold stories of real-life female vigilantes and the truth behind their vengeance.

Boudica was the queen of a Celtic tribe who led a revolt against the Romans around 60 A.D.1 When the king died without a male heir, the Romans beat her, confiscated the family’s land and raped her two daughters.2 Boudica was a trained warrior and rebelled by destroying Roman temples, destroying three cities and killing around 80,000 people.3

Although the rebellion ultimately failed, Boudica got her revenge. In 1902, an English sculptor built a statue of her riding in a chariot next to the Houses of Parliament in the old Roman capital.4 Boudica is the embodiment of a complex female hero; she set out to avenge her family’s lost freedom and the bodily autonomy of her and her daughters.5

On May 5, 1980, a 7-year-old girl named Anna missed school and wandered over to her neighbor’s house, a 35-year-old butcher with a criminal record of child molestation. Known as Klaus Grabowski, he was later charged with Anna’s murder.6

On top of confessing, Grabowski claimed Anna blackmailed him. Anna’s mother, Marianna Bachmeier, was already angry that her daughter was gone, and this accusation ignited more rage within her. Grabowski went on trial a year later, and on the third day, Bachmeier smuggled a pistol into the courtroom and shot Grabowski eight times.7 He died on the courtroom floor. “I want to kill him,” she allegedly said. “He killed my daughter … I hope he’s dead.”8

1 Sarah Pruitt, “Who Was Boudica?” History, March 7, 2019. 2 Ibid. 3 Rebecca Gibian, “These Real-life Female Vigilantes Rival Jennifer Garner In ‘Peppermint’,” Inside Hook, Aug. 31, 2018. 4 Ben Johnson, “Boudica,” Historic UK. n.d. 5 Ibid. 6 Marc Margaritoff, “11 Real-Life Vigilante Stories Of Ordinary Citizens Taking Justice Into Their Own Hands,” All That’s Interesting, Sept. 29, 2021. 7 Natasha Ishak, “Meet Marianne Bachmeier, Germany’s ‘Revenge Mother’ Who Shot Her Child’s Killer In The Middle Of His Trial,” All That’s Interesting, Feb. 1, 2021. 8 Marc Margaritoff, “11 Real-Life Vigilante Stories Bachmeier became a sensation in Germany known as the “Revenge Mother.” According to NDR, the case is “the most spectacular case of vigilante justice in German post-war history.”9 She was sentenced to six years in prison for premeditated manslaughter but only served three. Bachmeier died in 1996 and was buried next to her daughter Anna.10

In 2013, the buses running in Cuidad Juárez, Mexico became the hunting ground for a woman who nicknamed herself Diana, Huntress of Bus Drivers.11 The murderous city of Juárez had a long history with dangerous bus drivers, with at least 260 women killed at their hands between 1993 and 2002.12 Law enforcement didn’t defend or protect any of these women, so Diana took it upon herself to don a blonde wig and avenge these victims.13

Unlike most vigilantes who prefer anonymity, Diana would ride on crowded city buses for 15 minutes before walking up to the male bus driver and firing a gun in close proximity. Her two victims were Jose Roberto Flores Carrera and Fredy Zarate Morales.14 After the second bus driver was killed, a local newspaper in Juárez received an email from Diana that revealed her motive; “I’m an instrument that will avenge several women,” her letter read.15 Diana the Bus Driver Hunter saw herself as a vigilante seeking justice for sexually abused women, and after this self-exposure, nobody heard from her again. ■

Of Ordinary Citizens Taking Justice Into Their Own Hands,” All That’s Interesting, Sept. 29, 2021. 9 Natasha, Ishak, “Meet Marianne Bachmeier, Germany’s ‘Revenge Mother’ Who Shot Her Child’s Killer In The Middle Of His Trial,” All That’s Interesting, Feb. 1, 2021. 10 Ibid. 11 April A. Taylor, “The Story of Diana, The Hunter of Bus Drivers Who Killed To Avenge Women,” Unspeakable Crimes Ranker, Jan. 13, 2022 12 Ibid. 13 Ibid. 14 Ibid. 15 Ibid.

Photographed by Hannah Huber, Assistant Photography Director | Makeup by Ella Cunz, Programming and Special Events Coordinator | Modeled by Alison Stecker, Online Editor and Emma Goshin, PR and Outreach Director FALL PRINT 2022

Directed by Erin Galioto, Fashion Editorial Director Assisted by Fashion Editorial Team Members Ella Bartlett, Alexa Bosch, Rayyan Bhatti and Grace Collar Photographed by Jessica Tenenbaum, Creative Director, Hannah Huber, Assistant Photography Director and Abby Cima, Staff Photographer | Modeled by Tessa Almond, Amalia Cabigas and Rayyan Bhatti, Fashion Editorial Team The gun featured in this shoot is a prop used to portray a story line. Moda Madison does not condone gun violence.