Feminist Icon Gloria Steinem Dies at 92, Leaving a Movement Still in Progress
Gloria Steinem, a central figure in the women's liberation movement for nearly seven decades, passed away on Monday at age 92. She never sought elected office but influenced American politics through writing, organizing, and activism. Her death comes at a time when many feminist gains face rollback, underscoring her belief that the revolution remains incomplete.
Steinem co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus in 1971, an organization that recruited and trained female candidates for office, helping generations of women enter politics at state and national levels. She also hosted regular "talking circles" at her home, communal discussions about politics and culture that continued into her final years. Her influence extended to prominent figures; Hillary Clinton credited Steinem with inspiring her signature aviator glasses and described their later friendship as personally significant. Steinem's activism was rooted in journalism and writing, and she was motivated by rage at injustice, working alongside contemporaries like Shirley Chisholm, Betty Friedan, and Bella Abzug.
Steinem's death may serve as a symbolic moment for a movement facing significant legal and political setbacks, including the loss of federal abortion protections and challenges to no-fault divorce and workplace equality. Her passing could galvanize renewed organizing among feminist groups, while also prompting broader public reflection on how far women's rights have come—and how fragile those gains may be. The response from political figures and activists may shape the narrative of what remains to be accomplished.