Feminist Legend Gloria Steinem Passes at 92, Co-Founder of Ms. Magazine

Gloria Steinem, revered as a trailblazer in American feminism and the mastermind behind Ms. magazine, has passed away at the age of 92.

Her death was announced through a combined statement from her Instagram profile and The Gloria Steinem Foundation, stating that she “died peacefully at her New York City home, surrounded by some of the many people who loved her.”

The statement praised Gloria for her exceptional ability to empathize and connect with others. “Gloria had a rare gift for listening and making people feel acknowledged and validated. Her actions and words empowered many to embrace their true selves,” the message noted. It also highlighted her independent spirit, inquisitive nature, and keen sense of humor.

Steinem became a pivotal voice in U.S. feminism, largely through her work in journalism. One of her most impactful early works was an investigative piece on Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Club, where she worked undercover as a Playboy Bunny to report on the working conditions experienced by the women there.

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Although the story sparked significant debate, Steinem later expressed regret over the assignment, feeling that the association overshadowed her subsequent work.

She later co-founded Ms. magazine, a pioneering publication that treated women as more than mere housewives and homemakers. Steinem also supported the Women’s Action Alliance early on, an organization committed to fighting sexism.

In the 1970s, inspired by women’s testimonies during the Roe vs. Wade case, she emerged as a prominent advocate for abortion rights, a stance that became even more poignant after the right was overturned in 2022. She expressed her dismay in an email to the AP, stating, “Either we all have control over our own bodies, irrespective of gender and race, or we aren’t truly living in a democracy.”

Her life and work were depicted in the 2011 documentary Gloria: In Her Own Words. Additionally, her autobiography, My Life on the Road, served as the inspiration for Julie Taymor’s biopic The Glorias. Steinem also appeared in various television programs including 60 Minutes, The Daily Show, and Charlie Rose, and made cameos as herself in series like The Good Wife and And Just Like That….