Gloria Steinem, a prominent author and activist recognized as a leading figure in the U.S. women’s movement, has passed away at the age of 92. Steinem, renowned for her fierce advocacy for women’s rights, began her professional journey in journalism. In 1963, she gained attention for her investigative reporting on the exploitative practices within Hugh Hefner’s Playboy empire, a role she later expressed regret about taking.
Throughout her life, Steinem remained committed to advocacy, continuing her efforts well into her 80s and addressing significant issues such as female genital mutilation. Her death occurred on Wednesday at her residence in New York City, as confirmed by her personal and foundation’s social media accounts.
Steinem, recognizable by her distinctive streaked hair and oversized aviator glasses, co-founded Ms. Magazine, which became a cornerstone of feminist media. Her presence was felt nationwide as she traveled extensively, delivering speeches at universities, community gatherings, rallies, and marches.
Her transformative journey into activism was sparked by a pivotal event in 1969, where women openly advocated for abortion rights. This experience, coupled with her own secret illegal abortion at the age of 22, shifted her career focus dramatically. Reflecting on the implications of the Roe v. Wade reversal in 2022, she stated, “Either our control over our own bodies is equal, regardless of sex or race, or we’re not living in a democracy.”
While Steinem became a household name as an activist, few realized that she had initially struggled with a profound fear of public speaking. She indicated that her early aspirations were to write about the women’s movement, but a lack of interest from editors pushed her into public speaking, an endeavor that initially terrified her. “I mean, I was terrified. But I’m grateful, even though I still get scared even now,” she remarked in a 2015 interview.
Time did not diminish Steinem’s energy; she remained active on the global stage into her later years, addressing various critical issues, with a primary focus on women’s equality. She once articulated, “Being a feminist means that you see the world as whole instead of half. It shouldn’t need a name, and one day it won’t.”
Steinem’s visibility in the public eye persisted throughout her life. At the age of 83, she attended her first fashion show as a guest of designer Prabal Gurung. Shortly after her 85th birthday, she hosted a women’s “talking circle” during an off-Broadway production commemorating her life, inviting women to share their own experiences of discrimination.
In 2020, her life story was adapted into a feature film titled “The Glorias,” based on her 2015 memoir, “My Life on the Road,” with Julianne Moore portraying her. At 91, she collaborated with Nobel laureate Leymah Gbowee on a picture book aimed at inspiring the youth to enact change, which was published earlier this year.
Despite her achievements, Steinem faced challenges, including being frequently described in terms of her appearance, which she found frustrating. She noted that such labels often overshadowed her message. “Nobody ever called me beautiful until I was publicly a feminist, and that was in my mid-30s,” she said in a 2011 interview, emphasizing the importance of being recognized for her work rather than her looks.
Steinem also encountered hostility throughout her career, sometimes from unexpected sources. During a 1990 appearance on Larry King’s talk show, a female caller greeted her amiably before harshly condemning her for supposedly undermining the traditional American family. However, by that time, she acknowledged that feminists were being taken more seriously than they had been in the past.
In 1972, Steinem co-founded Ms. Magazine, which faced skepticism from many, particularly male commentators who doubted its longevity. Yet, the publication endures today, published by the Feminist Majority Foundation. Even U.S. President Richard Nixon was recorded mocking her and the magazine’s title, to which Steinem responded with characteristic wit, dubbing Nixon “the most sexually insecure chief of state since Napoleon.” She often humorously explained her single status before marrying at 66 by stating, “I can’t mate in captivity,” and believed that laughter remained “the only free emotion — the only one that can’t be compelled.”
