Freda Brown was a political activist, trade unionist and feminist. She was an ardent supporter of women's rights, peace, and anti-apartheid movements in Australia and Internationally. A member of the Communist Party of Australia, she was also involved in establishing and leading women's organisations including the Union of Australian Women and the Women's International Democratic Foundation. Brown travelled widely in service of her political causes. In 1977, she was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize. She was honoured by the South African government in 2004 for her efforts against apartheid.
Brown was married to Bill Brown from 1943 until his death in 1992. She is the mother of former Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon.