‘A force for change’: Tributes pour in for Gloria Steinem

Gloria Steinem, feminist icon and face of the women’s liberation movement in the US, took her last breath at the age of 92.

The announcement of her death came from her foundation. The post reads that Steinem “passed away peacefully” at her home in New York City on Wednesday “surrounded by many who loved her.”

Gloria Steinem was a political activist, American journalist and a leader of the second-wave feminist movement in the United States. She was also a co-founder of Ms Magazine.

Being a prominent voice for social and political reform, Steinem spent decades advocating for gender equality, civil rights and reproductive rights.

The death of a legendary feminist icon has drawn heartfelt tributes worldwide.

“Gloria’s near-century on earth were years well-lived, and she continued working for equality until the very end,” the post read in part, her foundation wrote in the social media post.

“Gloria’s greatest gift was her ability to listen to others, to make others feel seen and heard. Her words, actions, and example gave people permission to be their truest selves. Gloria lived true to her independent spirit, always with curiosity and a great sense of humor.”

Vanity fair also paid tribute to X, “Gloria Steinem never gave up the good fight. Despite publishing a dozen books and dedicating decades of her life to feminist advocacy, by the time she reached the age of 92, the feminist icon still feared leaving the Earth mid-battle.”

“I don’t want to die saying but—” Steinem said in an interview with Vanity Fair earlier this year. “We have the idea that our lives are planned in order to be worthwhile. And that may be true in some cases, but I think our ability to respond to and learn from the unexpected is really much more likely to be helpful.”

Nancy Pelosi, US Representative also posted in the honor of Gloria, “Gloria Steinem was a fearless trailblazer who transformed the fight for equality in America and inspired generations of women to know their power.”

“Her voice, courage and relentless advocacy helped break down barriers and open doors once firmly closed to women. May it be a comfort to all of us who loved Gloria that her extraordinary legacy will live on in every generation that carries her fight forward.”

Jill Filipovic, American author, also wrote, “Gloria Steinem dedicated her 2022 memoir to the doctor who, in 1957, gave her an illegal abortion when she was 22. He told her: ‘You must promise me two things. First, you will not tell anyone my name. Second, you will do what you want to do with your life.’”

“She kept the promise.”