Gloria Steinem

As a writer and an activist, Gloria Steinem has been a leader in the late-twentieth-century women’s rights movement. Among her many achievements is the founding of Ms. magazine — the first national women’s magazine run by women. Steinem has worked for Democratic candidates such as Norman Mailer, John Lindsay, Eugene McCarthy, Robert Kennedy, and George McGovern. She also worked with César Chávez in his efforts on behalf of the United Farm Workers.

In 1971 Steinem joined Bella Abzug, Shirley Chisholm, and Betty Friedan to form the National Women’s Political Caucus, encouraging women’s participation in the 1972 election. She continues to call for an end to women’s disadvantaged condition in the paid labor force, for the elimination of sexual exploitation, and for the achievement of true equality of the sexes.

Steinem was inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame in 1993.