In the grand and often misunderstood tapestry that is feminism, there’s one name that shines brighter than the rest, like a sequined beacon of hope in a sea of beige– Gloria Steinem. But how did this sassy, savvy, and downright sensational woman become who we know as the mother of feminism? It’s an interesting story, do you wanna come along as we narrate it?
It is a story of a woman who walked to an almost empty battlefield and has now filled it with raging women being suppressed just for the crime of being born as the fairer sex. In this age and time, calling oneself a feminist comes at the cost of being canceled, imagine the fight Gloria must’ve given to initiate the moment during a decade that called Diamonds a girl’s best friend.
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A Rebel With A Cause
Born in Toledo, Ohio on 24th March 1934, Gloria Steinem must’ve had that twinkle in her eye that hinted that she would be a forest fire of the woods owned by men. From the get-go, she was a force to be reckoned with—a pint-sized firecracker or a ‘Playboy Bunny’ you can say but with big dreams in a scantily clad waitress fit at the Hugh Hefner’s club.
Fast forward a few years, and Gloria found herself smack dab in the middle of the swinging sixties—a time of free love, flower power, and fabulously flared pants. But while others were busy grooving to the beat, she was busy shaking things up in a different way. Armed with nothing but a pen, a pad, and a killer sense of style, she set out to challenge the status quo and rewrite the rules of womanhood.
Mother did a lot during her years of prime and still continued to advocate the rights of women but alas! The world of men is a scary place to be. Let’s talk about Roe v. Wade—the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling that granted women the constitutional right to abortion. Gloria celebrated this victory with the fervor of a rock star but no right of women ever comes without its deadline. The Supreme Court dealt a devastating blow to reproductive rights, reminding us all of the importance of continued activism and resistance.
In case you missed: What ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Author Margaret Atwood Said About Roe v. Wade
Ms. Magazine: The Revolution
In 1972, Gloria and her gal pals decided they’d had enough of being ignored, dismissed, and mansplained. So, they did what any self-respecting feminists would do, they started their own damn magazine. Thus, Ms Magazine was born—a glossy, gutsy, and gloriously feminist publication that shook the world to its core. From reproductive rights to workplace equality, Ms Mag tackled it all with kickass arguments and a healthy dose of side-eye.
But Gloria wasn’t content to just sit back and sip martinis while the patriarchy reigned supreme. She had bigger more glass ceilings to shatter. Steinem didn’t just sit idly by writing fluff pieces for the suited up jailors to make fun of. She plunged into the heart of political organizations, becoming a beacon for the women’s liberation movement. Imagine her, clad in her iconic aviators and fierce boots, founding powerhouses like the Coalition of Labor Union Women, Voters for Choice, and Women Against Pornography. In 2016, she even took it to the TV screens as the host of ‘Woman with Gloria Steinem,’ delving into issues close to every woman’s heart.
But her influence didn’t stop there. Gloria’s penned gems like ‘Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions’ and ‘MarilynMoving Beyond Words,’ while also doling out wisdom in ‘Revolution from Within’ and ‘Moving Beyond Word.’ And let’s not forget her crowning achievement—the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013. From boardrooms to back alleys, Gloria fearlessly fought for the rights of women everywhere, proving once and for all that feminism wasn’t just a buzzword—it was a way of life.
Gloria’s Legacy That Lives On
Today, Gloria Steinem’s influence can be felt in every corner of the globe. From Hollywood to the halls of power, her legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of women everywhere who refuse to be silenced, sidelined, or underestimated. Her words continue to inspire.
Gloria Steinem, the OG bad-ass boss and the undisputed mother of feminism. With her wit, wisdom, and unyielding determination, she blazed a trail for women everywhere to follow. So let’s raise a glass (or a fist) to Gloria and all the fierce feminists who came before her and then after her.
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