Gloria Steinem Remembered: Tributes Pour In From Political and Cultural Leaders

Journalist and activist Gloria Steinem, a pivotal figure in the fight for women’s rights from reproductive freedom to workplace equality, has died at the age of 92. Following her death on Wednesday, tributes have flooded in from prominent figures across politics and pop culture, all expressing gratitude for her impact and pledging to carry forward her work.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who shared the stage with Steinem in 2017, wrote an extensive tribute on Facebook, stating that Steinem “pushed open doors not just for herself, but for literally millions of women behind her.” Clinton highlighted Steinem’s foundational role in creating opportunities for future generations, noting that while Steinem did not become an astronaut, she made Sally Ride’s achievement possible. She also credited Steinem with supporting the passage of Title IX and advocating for the advancements seen in Roe v. Wade.

Clinton was among numerous women in national politics who praised Steinem. Former First Lady Jill Biden, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and House Minority Whip Katherine Clark also shared their remembrances. Clark highlighted a personal connection, revealing that she displayed photos of Steinem and Dorothy Pitman Hughes in her office from day one as a reminder of solidarity.

Steinem rose to prominence in the 1960s as a leading voice of second-wave feminism. She co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus and Ms. magazine in the following decade. Her 1963 exposé on her undercover time at the Playboy Club helped normalize discussions about workplace sexism, while her openness about obtaining an abortion abroad in the 1950s broke taboos around the subject. She is widely credited with increasing the number of women in elected office and bringing feminism into the mainstream during an era when legal barriers prevented women from holding credit cards or bank accounts independently.

Younger generations of high-profile women also took to social media to share personal stories. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, recalled working with Steinem to mobilize young voters and described their private bond, including Thanksgiving gatherings and Steinem’s heartfelt counsel. Actress Julianne Moore reflected on the influence Steinem had on her while preparing to portray her in the 2020 film The Glorias, calling Steinem’s honesty and tolerance a “moral roadmap.”Cultural and political figures beyond the feminist movement also joined the condolences. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Bernie Sanders, and New York City mayors Mike Bloomberg and Zohran Mamdani paid tribute. Rep. Jim McGovern shared memories of Steinem encouraging him to run for office even when establishment support was lacking.

Oprah Winfrey, Paris Hilton, Stacey Abrams, and Billie Jean King were among the many cultural icons who shared messages about Steinem’s significance. Actress Lena Dunham recalled Steinem’s generosity with her time and intellect, jokingly noting Steinem’s willingness to lend her jewelry, including a silver vulva ring. British actress Jameela Jamil described Steinem as a guiding light, recounting conversations about the current political climate and Steinem’s determination to keep fighting at 92.

Jamil expressed sorrow that Steinem passed away as rights she fought for face rollback, noting Steinem’s disbelief at how quickly progress reversed after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Despite these challenges, Steinem remained optimistic about the continuity of the movement. In a previous interview with NPR, she emphasized the importance of connecting past struggles to present ones to understand the enduring threads of patriarchy and racism.

Steinem’s second memoir, An Unexpected Life, is scheduled for release later this month.