Later in life, Gloria Steinem found herself free of the 'demands of gender'
Feminist icon Gloria Steinem, who passed away at 92, reflected in her later years on finding freedom from the societal 'demands of gender.' The article highlights her lifelong commitment to women's rights, including co-founding Ms. magazine and the National Women's Political Caucus.
Why it matters
Steinem was a pivotal figure in the women's liberation movement, and her legacy continues to influence modern discourse on gender equality and reproductive rights.
Feminist writer and activist Gloria Steinem dedicated her life to advocating for women and girls. And yet, in the latter part of her life, she told Terry Gross that she had entered a new phase in life, one free of the "demands of gender" that she had faced starting in adolescence.
"Remember when you were 9 or 10 and you were this independent little girl climbing trees and saying, 'I know what I want, I know what I think'?" Steinem said in a 2015 Fresh Air interview. "That was before gender descended for most of us."
"Ironically, I found by 60 you're free again. So you're the same person you were at 9 or 10, only now you have your own apartment, you can reach the light switch, you hopefully have a little money. So you can do what you want," Steinem explained.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in