Gloria Steinem, the pioneering feminist, activist, writer, and co-founder of Ms. Magazine, turned 90 on March 25, 2024.
Key Takeaways
- Steinem shows no signs of slowing down in her lifetime pursuit of fighting for women’s rights and gender equality.
- Now at 90, the lionized Steinem continues tirelessly advocating for causes she’s championed for over 50 years.
- Her New York apartment is a hub for young feminists and activists to assemble with the movement’s iconic elder stateswoman.
Despite her advancing age, Steinem shows no signs of slowing down in her lifetime pursuit of fighting for women’s rights and gender equality.
Born in 1934 in Toledo, Ohio, Steinem had an unconventional upbringing. She moved frequently with her family before settling back in Ohio at age 11 after her parents divorced.
She went on to study at Smith College, an experience that helped shape her feminist ideology as she pursued the traditionally male field of government studies.
After college, Steinem embarked on a career as a freelance writer in New York City in the 1960s.
Her undercover 1963 expose on working as a Playboy Bunny at one of Hugh Hefner’s clubs brought her widespread acclaim and helped launch her as a journalistic voice for women’s liberation.
In the early 1970s, Steinem co-founded Ms. Magazine, the first nationally distributed publication created and owned by women.
She also founded the Women’s Action Alliance and co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus, cementing her status as a leader of the American feminist movement.
Now at 90, the lionized Steinem continues tirelessly advocating for causes she’s championed for over 50 years, including reproductive rights, workplace equality, and intersectional feminism encompassing race and social justice.
She remains defiant despite major setbacks, such as the Supreme Court’s 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade.
“Reproductive freedom is basic, maybe more basic than freedom of speech,” Steinem stated emphatically on the decision curtailing abortion access.
She has applauded the struggles of women globally fighting patriarchal regimes, like the Iranian protesters demanding freedoms.
While some may think 90 is too old to remain active, Steinem rejects any notion of retirement.
As she once quipped about growing older,
“This is what 40 looks like… We’ve ben lying for so long, who would know?!”
Via msmagazine
Her New York apartment is a hub for young feminists and activists to assemble with the movement’s iconic elder stateswoman.
Steinem’s illustrious life has inspired many, enabling younger generations “to live out the unlived lives of our mothers,” she says.
At an age when many slow down, Gloria Steinem is breaking down barriers and lighting a path for future generations to follow in her footsteps.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Steinem argues that the desire to control women’s reproductive wombs by restricting access to abortion is a fundamental principle of authoritarian systems that seek to crush and dominate women.
- While acknowledging that societal progress has been made in gender equality, Steinem maintains that true equity cannot be achieved until the gendered division of domestic labor is upended and men take on an equal share of household responsibilities.
