Gloria Steinem is an American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist. She is often described as one of the most influential feminists of the late 20th century. Steinem was born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1934, the daughter of a newspaperman and a teacher. She attended Smith College, where she studied government and history.
After graduating, Steinem moved to New York City and worked as a freelance writer for magazines. In 1962, she wrote an article for Show magazine about her undercover work as a Playboy Bunny at the New York Playboy Club. This article was the start of her career as a journalist and writer.
In the early 1970s, Steinem was one of the founders of the National Women's Political Caucus and the Ms. Magazine. She served as editor of the magazine from 1972 to 1987 and was on the board of directors of the Ms. Foundation for Women from 1982 to 2000.
Steinem was a vocal advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment and was arrested multiple times for her activism. In addition, she was a vocal advocate for abortion rights and organized the Women's Strike for Equality in 1970.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Steinem continued to write and speak out for women's rights. She wrote books such as Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions (1983) and Revolution from Within (1993). She also founded the Women's Media Center in 2005.
In 2013, Steinem was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama. She has also received numerous honors for her work, including the American Civil Liberties Union's National Civil Liberties Award, the National Women's Hall of Fame's Living Legacy Award, and the National Book Award for Nonfiction.
Today, Steinem is an outspoken advocate for women's rights and continues to speak out on issues such as reproductive freedom, pay equity, and violence against women. She is a role model for young feminists and continues to be an inspiration for those who work for social and political change.
Birthday
March 25, 1934
