The feminist organiser and her everyday rebellions
This article reflects on the life and legacy of feminist organizer Gloria Steinem, highlighting her commitment to movement building and her deep connection to India. It discusses her collaborative work with activists and her influence on feminist literature.
Why it matters
Gloria Steinem is a seminal figure in global feminism, and her work continues to influence modern social activism.
On her website, Gloria Steinem describes herself as a “feminist organizer”, a doer, as most women are. Until the end, she hosted Talking Circles, at her New York home, where people gathered do the rough-and-tumble work of activism, but also the gentler work of community building. This “movement building” is what Steinem will always be remembered for.
The practice of gathering in a group, where everyone is heard, was inspired from India, where Steinem spent two years, after she graduated at 22, from Smith College, Massachusetts in the U.S. in 1956. She came to India every few years, and was closely associated with Ruchira Gupta, who founded Apne Aap Women Worldwide, a non-profit working to end sex trafficking. Steinem chaired Apne Aap’s advisory board, and for Ms. Gupta, she was “a third parent”.
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