- Steinem passed away peacefully at her home in New York City, surrounded by loved ones, as announced in a Sept. 3 post to her Instagram account.
- Her friend and fellow activist, Abigail Disney, said she’d visited Steinem’s Manhattan home a bit over a week ago, noting she was 'just as funny and just as sharp as I have ever known her.'
- Steinem, who had been in declining health, died Wednesday at her home in New York City, according to a post on her social media page. She had recently completed a memoir, to be released this fall.
- Her Instagram post also honored her legacy: "Gloria’s greatest gift was her ability to listen to others, to make others feel seen and heard."
- Steinem credited a meeting six years later, where women spoke out in favor of abortion rights, with changing her career path. She stated, 'That speak-out was the beginning of activism for me,' reflecting on her personal experiences.
Gloria Steinem, born in Toledo, Ohio, on February 25, 1934, became a leading figure in the feminist movement, co-founding Ms. Magazine in 1971. "Gloria’s greatest gift was her ability to listen to others, to make others feel seen and heard," her family stated after her passing.
Steinem's journalism career began in 1960, with notable work for Life and Esquire. She gained prominence for her advocacy on women's reproductive rights, famously stating, "Either our control over our own bodies is equal, regardless of sex or race, or we’re not living in a democracy," reflecting her personal experiences with abortion.
Her activism extended beyond writing; she co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus in 1971 alongside other prominent feminists. Despite initial skepticism about Ms. Magazine, it became a cornerstone of feminist literature. “That speak-out was the beginning of activism for me,” she recalled, marking a pivotal moment in her life.
Steinem's legacy includes her marriage at 66 to David Bale, which she described as a reflection of changing societal norms. “I thought, ‘I haven’t changed, marriage had changed,’” she noted. Her recent memoir, set for release this fall, encapsulates her journey and enduring influence on feminism.
Steinem's passing marks the end of an era, but her impact on women's rights and social justice will resonate for generations to come.
“Steinem, who had been in declining health, died Wednesday, with her Instagram post noting she 'continued working for equality until the very end.' She had recently completed a memoir, to be released this fall, and friend Abigail Disney recalled her as 'just as funny and just as sharp as I have ever known her.'”
AP News
