Gloria Steinem, Iconic US Feminist Leader and Co-Founder of Ms. Magazine, Dies at 92

Gloria Steinem, Iconic US Feminist Leader and Co-Founder of Ms. Magazine, Dies at 92

NEW YORK, September 3 [VoM News]: Today marks a profound loss as we bid farewell to the one and only Gloria Steinem, the iconic American author, journalist, and fierce feminist who became a trailblazing leader in the United States women’s movement. She was 92.

Steinem passed away at her New York City home this past Wednesday, according to heartfelt tributes shared on her social media and by her foundation.

Those of us who grew up influenced by her undeniable presence will forever remember Steinem’s signature streaky hair, the sharp frames of her aviator glasses, and, of course, her powerful voice tirelessly advocating for the rights of women everywhere.

For decades, she crisscrossed America, passionately speaking to college campuses, community gatherings, marches, and rallies.

Beyond her eloquent speaking and activism, Steinem was also instrumental in co-founding Ms. Magazine, a groundbreaking publication that became essential reading for those immersed in feminist thought and advocating for women’s rights.

She kicked off her career as a journalist. One significant story that has resonated throughout her work was an assignment in 1963 where she went undercover to explore the working conditions at Hugh Hefner’s infamous Playboy Club. Reflecting years later, she said that’s a job she probably would have passed on given the opportunity.

Steinem’s journey began taking a turn toward activism, however, after she attended a pivotal 1969 meeting where women courageously went on the record about their experiences with abortion. She later called it a turning point in her life.

As Steinem shared with the Associated Press in 2022, looking back on the US Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade: “That speak-out was the beginning of activism for me.”

And her deeply personal connection to this issue was shared openly: Steinem openly discussed having had an illegal abortion at just 22 years old. She became one of the most compelling champions for reproductive rights, arguing that control over one’s own body is foundational to both equality and the very core of a democratic society.

In an interview in 2015, Steinem reminded us all of the vital importance of real, physical engagement in social justice work, saying: “You cannot build the trust we have… from internet phone relationships. We have to find a way to be together.”

For over 60 years, Steinem’s unwavering voice for gender equality, reproductive freedom, and all feminist causes made her an indispensable fixture in the modern US women’s movement. She wasn’t just a symbol; she was a living, breathing engine of progress, and her absence will be profoundly felt.