Feminist icon Gloria Steinem lifted up women everywhere, leaving behind a more gender-equal world
The journalist, author and activist has died aged 92. She spent more than 60 years setting feminist torches alight the world over.
Gloria Steinem, the esteemed feminist icon, has passed away at the age of 92. A journalist, activist, and influential figure in the feminist movement, she left an indelible mark on the world over her six-decade career. Born in Toledo, Ohio in 1934, Steinem faced early adversity when her parents divorced when she was just ten years old. Following her father's departure, she became a caretaker for her ill mother until her sister stepped in to help.
Steinem's early life was marked by a sense of being grown up too quickly, leading her to reject marriage. She pursued an education at Smith College in Massachusetts, graduating with distinction and later spending two years in India on a Charles Bowles Fellowship. This experience inspired her interest in grassroots activism. Like many female journalists of her time, Steinem's initial assignments were confined to "women's pages," reporting on health and fashion.
However, she soon demonstrated her intelligence and courage by undercover reporting at Hugh Hefner's Playboy Club, which led to her exposé, "I Was a Playboy Bunny."
Steinem's career took a turn in 1971 when she, along with fellow journalists, established Ms. Magazine as an insert in New York magazine. By 1972, Ms. Magazine had become an independent publication, and Steinem maintained a close association with it throughout her life. The magazine served as a platform for contemporary women's politics and brought recognition to pioneering feminists from the Women's Liberation era. Steinem's writing career spanned numerous books and memoirs, earning her numerous awards and accolades.
Beyond her journalistic work, Steinem was a prominent figure in grassroots activism. She addressed crowds, advocated for women's rights, and dedicated her book, "My Life On The Road," to the London physician who performed her illegal abortion in 1967. Steinem continued to speak out against Donald Trump and urged younger generations to keep fighting for equality.
Her commitment to structural reform led her to establish several activist organizations, including the National Women’s Political Caucus, the Women’s Action Alliance, the Women’s Media Center, and the Ms. Foundation for Women.
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