Pioneering feminist activist, author, and journalist Gloria Steinem has died at the age of 92 on September 2. Steinem’s representative announced that she passed away peacefully at her home in New York City, surrounded by loved ones according to a statement released on Thursday. Following the news, a wave of tributes poured in from political figures, celebrities, and activists across the globe who remembered her as a fearless trailblazer and a transformative force for gender equality including Hillary Clinton, Jill Biden, and Meghan Markle.
Gloria Steinem Remembered by Hillary Clinton, Meghan Markle, and Global Leaders After Death at 92
Steinem’s representative stated that her near-century of life was well-lived and that she continued working for equality until the very end according to Rolling Stone. The statement emphasized her exceptional ability to listen and make others feel seen and heard, noting that her words and actions gave people permission to be their truest selves with curiosity and a great sense of humor.
Hillary Clinton and Political Figures Honor Steinem’s Legacy
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton paid tribute to Steinem, telling CBS News that she was heartsick over the news according to Rolling Stone. In a separate social media statement, Clinton described Steinem as one of the architects of the entire structure of women’s equality. Clinton noted that while Steinem was not an astronaut, she made it possible for Sally Ride to be one; she did not play college sports, but stood behind the women in Congress who passed Title IX; and she was not on the Supreme Court for Roe v. Wade, yet her voice and activism propelled that advancement.
Other political leaders also shared remembrances. Former First Lady Jill Biden noted that Steinem understood women’s equality begins with bodily and health autonomy according to Rolling Stone. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Bernie Sanders, and New York City mayors Mike Bloomberg and Zohran Mamdani also paid tribute according to KUOW, honoring Steinem who called New York City home for more than six decades.
Meghan Markle and Hollywood Figures Remember a Mentor and Friend
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, shared personal photographs and a tribute remembering Steinem as a feminist icon, close friend, and mentor according to Indiatimes. Markle recalled working alongside Steinem to encourage young voters to have their voices heard according to Rolling Stone and brainstorming ways to make the world more equitable according to Indiatimes.
Writer and filmmaker Lena Dunham also offered an emotional tribute according to Indiatimes, highlighting Steinem’s generosity and humor in making time for younger women and activists according to Rolling Stone. Actresses including Jane Fonda and Julianne Moore—who portrayed the activist in the 2020 film The Glorias—joined artists like Oprah Winfrey, Carole King, and Patti Smith in remembering Steinem’s lasting impact on generations of women and society according to Cosmopolitan.
