Gloria Steinem Death

Gloria Steinem, a journalist, author and activist who became one of the most prominent figures in the modern women’s right movement, died surrounded by loved ones on September 2 at the age of 92. 

Steinem spent more than six decades working as a journalist and advocating for gender equality, reproductive rights and other social issues. 

Steinem was born on March 25, 1934, in Toledo, Ohio. She went to Smith College and graduated in 1956 with a degree in government. After college, she spent time traveling and studying in India before returning to the United States and beginning her career in Journalism.

Steinem worked for several publications throughout the beginning of her career, including Esquire, New York, and McCall’s. In 1963, she gained national recognition after working undercover as Playboy Bunny at the New York Playboy Club. She wrote about her experience in an article called “A Bunny’s Tale,” which focused on the working conditions and treatment of women who worked there.

As Steinem continued working as a journalist, she also became more involved in the growing women's rights movement. She wrote about problems women faced, including discrimination and unequal treatment. She also began speaking publicly and working with other people involved in the movement.

“Steinem was a very important figure in the second wave of feminism, which was characterized largely by women challenging the traditional gender roles placed on them…Gloria Steinum is exactly the kind of person we need more of in society. In a time where people are constantly questioned and demonized on the basis of race and sex, we should all try to be more like Steinem, not just inclusive but outspoken as well,” NHS senior Lahja Kurjiaka said.

In 1971, Steinem helped start Ms. magazine. The magazine gave women a place to write about topics that were not always talked about in other magazines. It covered issues like women's rights, reproductive rights, discrimination and women in the workplace. Steinem worked as an editor for the magazine for 15 years.

Steinem also helped start several organizations during her career. She helped found the National Women’s Political Caucus and the Ms. Foundation for women. In 2005, she helped create the Women’s Media Center with Jane Fonda and Robin Morgan. 

Steinem also spoke a frequent amount about civil rights, economic equality and other social issues. She wrote several books and continued writing and speaking about these topics throughout her life. She received several awards for her work. In 2013, President Obama gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She was also brought into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.

“You don’t talk about feminism without talking about her…The second wave of feminism was sort of like the white woman’s movement. It was really focused on white middle class women and getting them out of the home and into the workforce and focus on their reproductive rights, and that really excluded a lot of working class women of color. As she got into her 60s, 70s, 80s, and even 90s she did a lot of work on herself and the voices she excluded and she began to include them later. She acknowledged that she wasn’t perfect. What’s super important is that we are going to mess up, we’re going to say things that we don’t mean, or maybe we will revise later, but she was really comfortable with correcting herself,” NHS english teacher Kristin English said.

Steinem continued writing and speaking publicly even as she got older. Her work as a journalist gave her a way to bring attention to issues affecting women, while her work outside of journalism gave her the opportunity to take part in the movement she was writing about.