Gloria Steinem, Icon of the Women's Movement, Dies at 92

Gloria Steinem, the celebrated author and activist who became a defining voice of the American feminist movement, has died at the age of 92. She passed away on Wednesday at her home in New York City, according to statements on her and her foundation's social media pages.

Steinem was a co-founder of Ms. Magazine and a globally recognized figure, known for her signature streaked hair and large aviator glasses. Her advocacy took her across the country and the world, speaking at college campuses, community centers, and rallies.

Her social media posts remembered her for her ability to listen and make others feel seen. They noted that she lived with an independent spirit, curiosity, and humor. In her later years, she enjoyed hosting talking circles at her home, believing in the power of in-person connection. "You have to be there with all five senses," she told The Varta Wire in 2015.

Steinem began as a journalist, including a 1963 undercover assignment on conditions in the Playboy empire that she later regretted. She credited a 1969 meeting on abortion rights with turning her toward activism, a cause she championed after having a secret illegal abortion at age 22.

Despite her public prominence, Steinem struggled with a fear of public speaking, which she overcame when editors were unwilling to let her write about the women's movement. "I ended up going out and speaking, which was my nightmare," she said.

Her activism continued well into her 80s, spanning issues from genital mutilation to peace efforts in Korea. She famously said, "Being a feminist means that you see the world as whole instead of half." Her legacy includes arrests at anti-apartheid protests and advocacy for political candidates and abortion rights.