The world mourns the loss of Gloria Steinem, a trailblazing feminist who devoted more than six decades to reshaping society’s view of women. Born in 1934, she burst onto the public scene in the 1960s with a revealing report on the brutal working conditions inside New York City’s Playboy Club, and used that exposure to win broader conversations about gender equality. Steinem’s brash, outspoken style earned her both harsh criticism and steadfast support from across the spectrum.
Her influence was felt in several historic milestones, most notably the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision in *Roe v. Wade*, which affirmed a woman’s right to access abortion. While some of these triumphs were later challenged—she watched the 2022 decision overturn the ruling—Steinem remained a steady force fighting for reproductive rights and equality worldwide.
The day prior to her death, her foundational organization released a statement confirming her age at 92 and noting that she never had a moment of “retirement” from activism. Her life’s work will continue to influence new generations of activists and policymakers as they confront ongoing gender, reproductive, and civil rights issues.
