Christine Drews Sieger
Gloria Steinem, the iconic feminist pioneer and journalist, has died at age 92.
The feminist pioneer passed away Wednesday at age 92 in her New York residence, according to a statement from her foundation on social media.
She spent her final moments surrounded by family and close friends.
Steinem devoted more than 50 years to dismantling systemic sexism across the United States.
Her journalism career took off in New York after she went undercover to report on the harsh environment faced by working Playboy Bunnies.
In 1972, she co-founded Ms. magazine, shifting the media landscape away from standard topics like “housekeeping and beauty” toward pressing political and social debates.
Her activism soon anchored the broader push for equal rights.
Throughout the 1970s, she spearheaded campaigns for equal pay, same-sex marriage, and reproductive freedom.
Former President Barack Obama honored her lifelong dedication in 2013 by presenting her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the BBC reports.
Tributes pour in
Warm tributes flooded social media following the announcement of her death on Thursday.
High-profile figures and close friends praised her tireless work and personal warmth.
“Gloria was at heart an optimist,” former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told CBS Mornings on Thursday.
“Her activism was rooted in optimism, and that’s a moral choice, and she made it every day.”
Meghan Markle also paid tribute on Instagram, describing Steinem as a cherished friend and mentor.
According to the BBC, Markle reflected on their personal bond, sharing memories of informal chats over tea and highlighting a keepsake bracelet inscribed with Steinem’s motto: “we are linked, not ranked.”
Until the end, Steinem kept her doors open for local activist gatherings. Her final literary project, the upcoming book An Unexpected Life, serves as a parting gift to the movement she helped build.
Building a Political Movement
Steinem’s influence extended far beyond her journalism. In 1971, she co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus alongside Betty Friedan, Shirley Chisholm and Bella Abzug, helping give the growing women’s movement a stronger political presence.
According to Associated Press, she also remained publicly active for decades, traveling to college campuses, community centers, rallies and marches well into her 80s.
Even as her physical health declined in her final years, Steinem continued to speak about women’s equality and reproductive rights, maintaining the public presence that had made her one of the most recognizable figures of American feminism.
