Gloria Steinem Dies at 92
Gloria Steinem, the pioneering writer, and feminist activist of the American women’s movement, has died at the age of 92, according to announcements released by her family and her foundation.
Steinem passed away peacefully on Wednesday in her New York City home, surrounded by loved ones, as confirmed by official statements on her social media channels. Her foundation noted that nearly a century on earth was fully lived, and she continued working toward equality until the end.
From Toledo Roots to Undercover Exposé
Born in Toledo, Ohio, on March 25, 1934, Steinem emerged as a leading voice of second-wave feminism during the 1960s and 1970s. After beginning her career as a freelance journalist in New York, she gained national attention in 1963 with an undercover magazine assignment for Show in which she worked as a Playboy Bunny to expose working conditions inside Hugh Hefner’s clubs.
Shaping the National Feminist Movement
In 1968, she helped establish New York magazine, working as a political writer and editor. Her 1969 essay "After Black Power, Women’s Liberation" cemented her status as a prominent leader of the growing women’s movement. Throughout her career, she focused her advocacy on reproductive freedom, workplace equality, political participation, and the prevention of domestic violence.
Alongside activists Bella Abzug, Betty Friedan, and Shirley Chisholm, Steinem co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus in 1971 to boost female representation in governance. That same year, she delivered her notable "Address to the Women of America," declaring the movement a fundamental human revolution rather than a simple reform.
Launching Ms. Magazine
In 1972, she joined with Dorothy Pitman Hughes and Patricia Carbine to launch Ms. magazine. The publication became the first nationally distributed feminist magazine founded and written by women, addressing topics such as sexual harassment, domestic abuse, and abortion that largely went uncovered by traditional media outlets.
Writing and Legacy in Manhattan
In her later years, Steinem maintained an active presence in her Manhattan brownstone, hosting community gatherings known as "Talking Circles" and continuing to write. Her upcoming book, An Unexpected Life, reflects on decades spent living in her historic home.
In lieu of flowers, her foundation requested that supporters make donations to the Gloria’s Foundation to continue her legacy of social justice work.
