Gloria Steinem, a journalist and pioneering activist for women’s rights, passed away on September 2. She was 92 years old.
A native of Toledo, Ohio, Steinem attended Smith College, a women’s liberal arts college in Northampton, Massachusetts. In 1956, she completed her bachelor’s degree in government studies, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Her alma mater currently houses a collection of her papers.
Steinem’s career in journalism began in New York City, writing for outlets such as Esquire and New York magazine. In 1972, Steinem cofounded Ms., a feminist magazine centered on issues relating to modern women rather than traditional domestic life. As an advocate for women’s rights, Steinem also co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus, the Women’s Action Alliance, and the Women’s Media Center.
Throughout her lifetime, Steinem published several books, including My Life on the Road (Random House, 2015) and The Truth Will Set You Free, But First It Will Piss You Off! (Murdoch Books, 2019). Her final book, An Unexpected Life: A Memoir, is slated for publication by Random House on September 22, 2026.