Jocelyn Noveck, Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Gloria Steinem, the author and activist known for her significant contributions to the U.S. women's movement, has died at the age of 92.
Steinem, a co-founder of Ms. Magazine, was recognized for her distinctive appearance, including her streaked hair and aviator glasses. Throughout her life, she traveled extensively, speaking at various events including college campuses and community centers, as well as rallies and marches.
She passed away on Wednesday at her home in New York City, as confirmed by her social media accounts and those of her foundation.
According to the posts, "Gloria's greatest gift was her ability to listen to others, to make others feel seen and heard. Her words, actions, and example gave people permission to be their truest selves. Gloria lived true to her independent spirit, always with curiosity and a great sense of humor."
In her later years, Steinem enjoyed writing and engaging with the community, hosting talking circles for hundreds of individuals in her home. She died shortly before the release of a planned memoir this fall.
In a 2015 interview with The Associated Press, she stated, "You can't do it on the phone or on the web. You have to be there with all five senses. It should be obvious that people can't empathize with each other unless we're in the same room."
Steinem began her career as a journalist, notably reporting on the conditions within Hugh Hefner's Playboy empire in 1963, an undercover assignment she later regretted. A pivotal moment in her career occurred six years later when she attended a meeting where women spoke out for abortion rights, which inspired her activism.
Reflecting on her past experiences, Steinem noted in an email to the AP in 2022, "That speak-out was the beginning of activism for me. Either our control over our own bodies is equal, regardless of sex or race, or we're not living in a democracy."
Despite her success as an activist, Steinem initially struggled with public speaking due to a deep fear of it. She mentioned that she would have preferred to focus on writing if editors had been more willing to publish her work on women's issues.
Steinem remained active well into her 80s, addressing various global issues, including genital mutilation and Korean reconciliation, while prioritizing women's equality. She stated, "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."
Her visibility continued as she attended events, such as a fashion show at 83 and leading a women's talking circle at an off-Broadway play celebrating her life shortly after her 85th birthday. In 2020, her life was depicted in the film "The Glorias, A Life on The Road," based on her 2015 memoir.
At 91, she collaborated on a picture book with Nobel laureate Leymah Gbowee, aimed at inspiring youth, titled "Rise, Girl, Rise: Our Sister-Friend Journey. Together for All," published in February.
Steinem's enduring visibility came with challenges. She expressed frustration over being described primarily in terms of her looks, stating, "Nobody ever called me beautiful until I was publicly a feminist, and that was in my mid-30s."
Steinem also faced hostility, including a notable incident on Larry King's talk show in 1990 where a female caller told her to "rot in hell" for her views. However, she noted that by then, feminists were being taken more seriously than in earlier years.
In 1972, she co-founded Ms. Magazine, which faced skepticism from some commentators who doubted its longevity. The magazine continues to be published today by the Feminist Majority Foundation.
Steinem was also a target of ridicule from figures such as President Richard Nixon, who was recorded making disparaging remarks about her. In response, she famously called Nixon "the most sexually insecure chief of state since Napoleon" during a speech in 1972.
In 2013, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama, who acknowledged her impact on women's rights, stating, "Because of her work across America and around the world, more women are afforded the respect and opportunities that they deserve."
Gloria Marie Steinem was born on March 25, 1934, in Toledo, Ohio. Her father was a traveling antique salesperson, and she spent her early years on the road with her parents. After her parents divorced in 1944, she took care of her mother, who struggled with mental health issues.
Steinem attended Smith College in the 1950s, a time when women's education focused on preparing them for traditional roles. She later traveled to India on a fellowship, and upon returning to the U.S., faced challenges in her journalism career due to gender discrimination.
Her early assignments often focused on topics deemed suitable for women, such as food and fashion, until she began to gain recognition for her political writing. Steinem's activism gained momentum after covering an abortion rights hearing in 1969, which resonated with her personal experiences.
In 1971, she co-founded the National Women's Political Caucus alongside notable figures like Betty Friedan and Shirley Chisholm. Steinem's partnership with Dorothy Pitman Hughes, a Black feminist, helped broaden the feminist movement's representation.
Steinem's contributions to the feminist movement included co-founding various organizations and initiatives, such as the Women's Action Alliance and the Women's Media Center. She also played a role in establishing Take Our Daughters to Work Day.