Gloria Steinem, prominent feminist activist and co-founder of Ms. Magazine, dies at 92

NEW YORK (AP) — Gloria Steinem, the author and activist known for her significant role in the U.S. women’s movement and her advocacy for feminist causes over six decades, has died at the age of 92. Steinem, a co-founder of Ms. Magazine, was recognized for her distinctive style, including her streaked hair and aviator glasses, and was a prominent figure at various events, including college campuses and community centers. In a 2015 interview with The Associated Press, she emphasized the importance of in-person engagement, stating, "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 passed away on Wednesday at her home in New York City, as announced on her social media page. She had recently completed a memoir scheduled for release this fall. A post on her social media highlighted her ability to listen and make others feel acknowledged, stating, "Gloria’s greatest gift was her ability to listen to others, to make others feel seen and heard." Despite her declining health, her wit remained sharp, according to her friend Abigail Disney, who visited Steinem shortly before her death. Disney remarked, "She was just as funny and just as sharp as I have ever known her." Steinem began her career as a journalist, notably reporting in 1963 on the conditions within Hugh Hefner’s Playboy empire, an experience she later regretted. A pivotal moment in her activism occurred six years later when she attended a speak-out advocating for abortion rights, which she described as the beginning of her activism. Reflecting on her experiences, Steinem stated in a 2022 email, "Either our control over our own bodies is equal, regardless of sex or race, or we’re not living in a democracy." Throughout her life, Steinem remained active, addressing various issues, including genital mutilation and Korean reconciliation, while prioritizing women's equality. She once stated, "Being a feminist means that you see the world as whole instead of half." Steinem’s influence persisted into her later years, as she led discussions and participated in events celebrating her life. In 2020, her life was depicted in the feature film "The Glorias, A Life on The Road." 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. Despite her achievements, Steinem expressed frustration over being described primarily in terms of her appearance, noting that such labels often overshadowed her work. She remarked in a 2011 interview, "Nobody ever called me beautiful until I was publicly a feminist, and that was in my mid-30s." Steinem faced hostility throughout her career, including a notable incident on Larry King’s talk show in 1990, where a female caller expressed disdain for her activism. However, she noted that by then, feminists were being taken more seriously than in earlier years. Steinem co-founded Ms. Magazine in 1972, a venture that faced skepticism from some commentators, including President Richard Nixon, who was recorded ridiculing her. Steinem responded with humor, famously stating, "I can’t mate in captivity" when discussing her singlehood. Gloria Marie Steinem was born on March 25, 1934, in Toledo, Ohio, and spent her early years traveling with her parents, which influenced her later pursuits in reading and activism.