Gloria Steinem taught us that hardest battles are fought inside

Gloria Steinem, a prominent feminist, taught us that the toughest battles are fought within ourselves. Despite her many achievements, she faced criticism and judgment, particularly regarding her stance on sex work and perceived links with the CIA. Steinem believed that along with advocating for rights and social justice, women needed to confront their inner struggles to truly break free from the shackles of patriarchy.

Her book, "Revolution from Within," advocated for self-awareness and self-esteem, but she faced backlash from her own feminist community for downgrading to "self-help" and being perceived as "soft." Steinem's personal life, including her marriage to a man, was often used as ammunition against her by those who claimed feminism was a men-hating, anti-marriage project.

However, she responded by explaining that her marriage had changed marriage laws, allowing her to retain her name and civil rights. The author argues that we need to be more understanding of the personal struggles of feminists, as well as their viewpoints, in order to foster a kinder and more inclusive feminism.