Gloria Steinem was an outspoken, trailblazing feminist. She tirelessly and passionately championed women's rights, along with gender parity and racial equality, beginning in the 1960s. Sadly, Steinem died at 92 in New York City on Wednesday, September 2.
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Her decades-long career was filled with significant milestones, Per People, Steinem was a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and co-founder of Ms. Magazine. She was also a journalist who wrote for Esquire and New York magazines, among others. Steinem was deeply involved with cutting-edge organizations. They included the Women's Media Center and the Coalition of Labor Union Women.
She harnessed the power of words to galvanize change for the marginalized and unheard, Bettering the status quo for them was her mission in life. She not only changed it, she upended it.
Steinem was unafraid to be a provocative myth buster and truth teller. For example, she authored a groundbreaking article in 1963 titled "I Was a Playboy Bunny." It shined an unflattering light upon the Playboy empire headed by Hugh Hefner.
President Barack Obama Lauded Steinem
Perhaps President Barack Obama said it best. In fact, he awarded Gloria Steinem the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013. At the ceremony, he remarked of her in part, "As a writer, a speaker, an activist, she awakened a vast and often skeptical public to...domestic violence, the lack of affordable child care, unfair hiring practices. And because of her work...more women are afforded the respect and opportunities that they deserve."
Furthermore, President Obama added this. "But she also changed how women thought about themselves...Her one piece of advice to young girls is -- I love this -- 'Do not listen to my advice. Listen to the voice inside you and follow that.'"
There Is a Resounding Tribute to Her on Social Media
On Gloria Steinem's Instagram from Gloria's Foundation are these words honoring her. The post reads in part, "Gloria's greatest gift was her ability to listen to others...Her words, actions, and example gave people permission to be their truest selves...."
In addition, "As Gloria wrote in her forthcoming book, ?? ?????????? ????, 'I have now lived for more than fifty years in this brownstone, in rooms that have witnessed lives before mine, and will know others after I am gone.'...Gloria often quoted the adage: 'The flap of a butterfly's wing can change the weather hundreds of miles away.'"
The post concluded with this poignant message. "Gloria loved the tradition of lighting signal fires on hills...Lighting your own candle for Gloria makes you part of this global and celestial community circle. In lieu of flowers, Gloria has asked that those wishing to honor her...may make a donation to Gloria's Foundation."
Gloria Steinem's book, An Unexpected Life: A Memoir, will drop on September 22, 2026.
