Clinton hails Steinem as architect of women's equality in emotional tribute

Prominent figures across politics, entertainment and public life delivered heartfelt tributes on Thursday to Gloria Steinem, the groundbreaking feminist activist who reshaped the conversation around gender equality. According to reporting on her passing, Steinem died peacefully at her home in New York City, having continued her work for equality until the very end.

Hillary Clinton, the former US secretary of state, presidential candidate and first lady, was among the first to publicly honour Steinem's legacy when she appeared on the CBS Mornings television programme early on Thursday. Clinton described the feminist icon as

one of the architects of the entire structure of women's equality

, expressing deep emotion at the loss of her longtime friend and ally.

Speaking with evident feeling, Clinton reflected on her initial awareness of Steinem's influence during the 1960s and 1970s.

I think back to my first awareness of Gloria way back in the 1960s into the 70s, when all of a sudden this incredibly smart, beautiful, talented woman began talking about how women should have equal opportunity, how we should aim for the stars, be able to pursue our own dreams.

Clinton went on to describe the concrete barriers women faced during that era.

I knew there were, back when I was a young woman, schools that wouldn't take women, jobs that wouldn't take women, scholarships that weren't open to women. I lived it.

Clinton urged younger generations to draw inspiration from Steinem's example and to continue the work she championed.

I'm hoping that young women realize that the fight is worth it. It is exhilarating.

She described herself as

heartsick

at news of Steinem's death, noting that

everyone who not only knew her but followed her, was inspired and challenged by her.

What made Steinem's activism distinctive?

Clinton highlighted a defining characteristic of Steinem's approach to social change: her fundamental optimism. During a visit to Steinem's home the previous year, Clinton said she had

the most incredible conversation

with her. Despite the challenges facing women's equality in recent years, Clinton observed that

Gloria was at heart an optimist. Her activism was rooted in optimism, and that's a moral choice, and she made it every day.

Clinton emphasised the importance of preserving this perspective, saying

with all of the setbacks that we've seen over the last decade or so, I want her voice to remain in our heads.

Clinton also acknowledged Steinem's dismay at the direction of contemporary politics, noting her concerns about the state of public discourse and the pushback against women's full participation in society.

How did other political leaders respond?

Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic former House speaker, released a statement celebrating Steinem's transformative impact.

Gloria Steinem was a fearless trailblazer who transformed the fight for equality in America and inspired generations of women to know their power.

Pelosi continued:

Her voice, courage and relentless advocacy helped break down barriers and open doors once firmly closed to women. May it be a comfort to all of us who loved Gloria that her extraordinary legacy will live on in every generation that carries her fight forward.

Jill Biden, another former first lady, released a statement expressing the grief of her household.

Gloria Steinem understood that women's equality begins with the freedom to make decisions about our own bodies, health, and futures. For decades, she fought to make that freedom real for generations of women and girls.

Biden went on to describe Steinem's courage and persistence:

She spoke up when it was difficult, listened to those whose voices too often went unheard, and never stopped pushing our country forward. Her voice changed our country, and her courage will continue to inspire us to keep fighting for the freedoms she spent her life defending.

Biden concluded by saying that she and former president Joe Biden

are holding Gloria's loved ones in our hearts.

What did cultural figures say about Steinem?

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, posted a personal tribute that revealed the depth of her connection to Steinem.

Celebrating the life and legacy of my friend and mentor, and also grateful to know that in these last few weeks and days she knew exactly how loved and admired she was.

Markle shared a cherished anecdote about an encounter Steinem had with a stranger in New York.

My very favorite story about GLO is when she was out one day in NY, and a woman approached her in absolute awe and said she wanted to introduce her young daughter to her (though she was embarrassed to say the young girl may not know who she was). Gloria replied: 'It doesn't matter if she knows who I am. What matters is that she knows who SHE is'.

Markle concluded with

Rest in peace, and rest in pride.

Patti Smith, the musician and cultural icon who, like Steinem, emerged from New York in the 1960s and 1970s as a revolutionary figure, offered a brief but powerful tribute.

This is the greatest Gloria. All are grateful for her revolutionary spirit; a lifetime of service.

Julianne Moore, the Oscar-winning actor who portrayed Steinem in the 2020 biopic The Glorias, reflected on the transformative experience of studying the activist for the role.

The time I spent studying Gloria in order to play her was one of the most edifying of my life. Everything I watched, everything I read, everything I observed about her gave me a template for how I wanted to behave. Her honesty, her tolerance, her patience, and her insistence on humanism and inclusion as she moved through the world offers us all a moral roadmap.

Fellow Oscar winner Sandra Bullock offered a concise but striking tribute:

With her bare hands and force of will, she paved the roads that millions of us are able to walk on.

How did journalists and commentators honour her memory?

Roxane Gay, the prominent social commentator and author of Bad Feminist, characterised Steinem's life and legacy in sweeping terms.

Gloria was one of a kind. Genuine, generous, curious, thoughtful. She lived a staggering life and her passing is a staggering loss tempered only by the ferocity of her legacy.

Ann Curry, the veteran journalist who overcame significant workplace misogyny early in her broadcasting career to become one of the United States' most respected news anchors, posted a personal message of gratitude.

Thank you Gloria. You once told me in an interview that it was your mother's suffering that first moved you to take action for the rights of women. May you now be in her embrace. How the lives of so many shine a little brighter because you were in this world. With respect.

Christiane Amanpour, an award-winning former war correspondent and now chief international anchor for CNN, offered a historical perspective on Steinem's significance.

Gloria Steinem will go down in history as one of the most important activists of all time, leading a movement for the equality of half the world: its women. She lived a long and passionate life dedicated to this vital and basic cause. She did it with intellectual precision, emotional awareness, humor and beauty. May she rest in peace and may the cause thrive.

What was Steinem's broader historical role?

According to coverage of her death, Steinem was a journalist and activist who became a prominent figure in second-wave feminism. Reporting described her as a writer, lecturer, activist and organizer who fought for gender equality and women's civil and reproductive rights for more than five decades, helping to champion the feminist movement from the late 1960s onward and inspiring generations of women.

Steinem was the co-founder and consulting editor of Ms. Magazine, and she became widely recognised as the face of the United States women's movement. Her foundation's announcement of her death noted that her

greatest gift

was her ability to listen and make others feel seen and heard, a quality that defined her interactions with everyone from world leaders to strangers on the street.

Clinton's support for Steinem extended to the political arena. Steinem had backed Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign when Clinton ran as the Democratic nominee against Republican Donald Trump. That election, which Trump ultimately won, would have resulted in the United States electing its first woman president had the outcome been different. Clinton reflected on this shared disappointment while emphasising the enduring importance of Steinem's vision for the country's future.