Video summary
The passing of Gloria Steinem at the age of 92 marks a significant loss for the global fight for women's rights, civil liberties, and reproductive justice, as she was a titan who led this charge for over five decades. Her life serves as a testament to the power of grassroots activism, as she understood that true change often comes from working bottom-up rather than relying solely on majority support or top-down mandates. Despite her monumental achievements, Steinem consistently refused to take personal credit, believing that the women's movement would continue even without her presence. She viewed herself not as a solitary hero but as an entrepreneur of social change who used her communication skills, charm, and diplomacy to empower countless other women, laying the groundwork for future generations to build upon.
Steinem broke through barriers in journalism and literature, notably by going undercover as a Playboy Bunny in 1963 to expose the systemic sexism and harsh working conditions within Hugh Hefner's empire. This daring act, which she later admitted almost destroyed her career prospects at the time, became a turning point that set her on a destined trajectory to challenge societal norms. She founded *Ms.* Magazine in 1972, creating a vital national media voice for women that allowed them to express themselves without being objectified. Her work extended far beyond media; she awakened a skeptical public to critical issues such as domestic violence, the lack of affordable childcare, and unfair hiring practices, ultimately helping to secure greater respect and opportunities for women across America and around the world.
Her legacy is defined not only by her own strength but also by the humanity and grace with which she expressed her convictions, inspiring others to find their own voices. Tributes from figures like Oprah Winfrey and Jane Fonda highlight how she changed the world through her deep intelligence and kindness, ensuring that the women's movement remained about collective empowerment rather than individual fame. Raised by a Jewish father and Protestant mother, Steinem identified strongly with her Jewish heritage, drawing inspiration from her grandmother who rescued family members during the Holocaust. She maintained a spiritual relationship with Judaism, studying Kabbalah and celebrating feminist traditions like hosting Passover seders that honored female figures such as Miriam, proving that one could be both a dedicated feminist and a Zionist simultaneously.
While she publicly contested UN resolutions labeling Zionism as racism alongside sixty other activists, Steinem also took a firm stand against the policies of Benjamin Netanyahu, refusing to visit Israel in 2019 while he remained prime minister due to his treatment of Palestinians. Her complex life was shaped by a deep sense of justice and a refusal to live in the past, a sentiment she expressed when asked what she was most proud of; she replied that she had not yet done enough because she lives in the future and the present. Ultimately, her greatest regret was simply wasting time, leaving behind a profound impact on human rights and women's empowerment that continues to inspire pilgrims visiting her former home on East 73rd Street in Manhattan today.
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Manhattan's East 73rd Street has become
a pilgrimage spot for [music] women and
men to connect to the force of nature
that was Gloria Steinum. She was such a
trailblazer for women's rights. Someone
who I really believed in what incredible
things she did for the things that she
believed in. And while I mourn her
passing, I can't thank her enough for
all she did and all the people she
inspired.
>> This is a huge loss. She was a titan, a
giant. Um hard to replace. Um I'm a born
again feminist father of three daughters
and no sons. And this is a a sad day,
but what a testament. What a life.
Steinum died at 92 years old after
[music] more than five decades leading
the charge for women's rights,
reproductive rights, and civil rights.
[music]
>> Well, I think that when I was growing
up, I had the notion that if we got a
majority support, I thought we had a
democracy. Okay. So, I thought if we got
majority [music] support around issues
that we would succeed and of course
[music] that's not necessarily the case.
She understood about working from the
bottom up and she never really wanted
credit for any of it. She always said if
there wasn't a if she wasn't alive there
would still be a woman's movement.
Steinum broke the glass ceiling as a
journalist and writer, including for New
York magazine. And she wasn't afraid to
ruffle feathers. In 1963, she went
undercover as a Playboy [music] Bunny,
exposing the harsh working conditions
and systematic sexism behind Hugh
Hefner's empire.
>> It almost destroyed me.
>> It was a big [music] mistake.
>> I was just beginning to be taken
seriously. And once [music] you're seen
as a bunny, you're finished. At least
then. And pretty much now, too. This
turning point moment sent her on a
destined trajectory that she referred to
as an entrepreneur of social change.
Using her natural gifts of
communication, charm, grace, and
diplomacy to empower women, laying the
groundwork for generations to come.
[music]
>> One of the good things about having been
around for a while is you remember when
it was way worse. So, no, I absolutely
am hopeful. Known for her trademark
aviator glasses, [music] Steinum founded
Miss Magazine in 1972, which created a
national media voice for women without
being objectified.
[applause]
In 2017, then President Barack Obama
awarded Steinum with the Presidential
Medal of Freedom. As a writer, a
speaker, an activist, she awakened a
vast and often skeptical public to
problems like domestic violence, a lack
of affordable child care, [music] unfair
hiring practices. Because of her work
across America and around the world,
more women are afforded the respect and
opportunities that they deserve. But she
also changed how women thought about
themselves.
>> The list of tributes to this fierce
warrior goes on and on. Barbara
Streryand who met Gloria in the 70s took
to social media [music] saying what made
her so extraordinary was not only the
strength of her convictions but the
humanity and grace in [music] which she
expressed them. Her voice changed
history but her greatest legacy may be
the countless voices she helped others
find and gave the [music] courage to
use. Oprah Winfrey said we owe her so
much. Although she was a defining leader
of the women's movement and became an
icon, [music] she never wanted the
movement to be about her. Another
longtime [music] friend, activist, and
actress, Jane Fonda said, "Gloria in her
graceful, kind, and deeply intelligent
way changed the world we live in."
>> Of all people, I bump into Gloria
Steiner with a cane and an aid going to
see Barbie and I, she is definitely one
of the most influential people for
women's rights and human rights and all
that. Raised by a Jewish father and
Protestant mother, Gloria identified
with her Jewishness and was inspired by
her paternal grandmother who rescued
family from the Holocaust and was
herself active in [music] the 1920s
women's suffrage movement. Gloria had a
spiritual relationship with Judaism,
studying Cababala and the divine female
aspect of God. For decades, [music] she
hosted feminist Passover seders,
celebrating Miriam, sister of Moses, and
also asking the four questions as
daughters. As far as her relationship
with Israel, Gloria proved you can be a
feminist and a Zionist at the same time.
She and 60 fellow Jewish activists
contested the UN resolution calling
Zionism a form of racism. However, in
2019, she refused to come to Israel.
quote, "As long as Netanyahu remains
prime minister," calling him a bully.
>> Sometimes reporters say to me, "What are
you most proud of?" And I always say, "I
haven't done it yet
because, you know, I live in the future
and I live in the present. I don't I
don't live in the past." But but I feel
I feel lucky. I feel uh
you know, exaltant. I feel angry. I feel
all the emotions of life about what's
come before. So, uh, I suppose the only
thing I regret is wasting time.