WASHINGTON — Gloria Steinem’s towering legacy as a writer, lecturer, political activist, and feminist organizer has permanently altered the course of American history and improved the lives of women worldwide. For decades, her name has been synonymous with the modern equal rights movement, defined by her tireless efforts to dismantle institutional barriers and secure justice and autonomy for women globally.
Throughout her remarkable career, Steinem helped found and shape numerous pivotal organizations and equal rights groups, including the Women’s Action Alliance, the National Women’s Political Caucus, Voters for Choice, and the Ms. Foundation for Women. Her incisive journalism earned her countless accolades, and in 2013, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor bestowed upon an individual in the United States.
Yet, while Steinem is universally celebrated for her foundational contributions to feminism and social justice, her sphere of compassion and advocacy extended far beyond human rights. As a lifelong vegetarian, Steinem was a steadfast champion for animal rights, recognizing that the struggle against oppression is fundamentally interconnected across species lines.
This commitment was not merely philosophical; it translated into direct, uncompromising action. On one notable occasion, when Steinem discovered that a corporate sponsor of a fundraising event she was scheduled to attend subjected primates to cruel laboratory experiments, she immediately demanded that the organization be disassociated from the event. Her demand was swiftly met, ensuring her presence would not inadvertently legitimize animal testing.
Steinem later released a statement that encapsulated her worldview on the intersection of violence: "Animal abuse is so connected to domestic abuse—literally in a household, but societally in a more general way, too." By articulating this connection, she brought mainstream attention to the reality that cruelty toward animals is frequently part of a broader, systemic culture of violence and oppression that targets the vulnerable.
Steinem also used her formidable writing platform to challenge institutions that claimed to operate in the interest of women while simultaneously harming animals. She famously joined forces with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to demand that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) cease subjecting animals to excruciating, outdated experiments that were ostensibly conducted in the name of advancing women’s health.
As part of PETA’s high-profile campaign against these federally funded tests, Steinem penned a pointed letter to the NIH, cutting straight to the ethical and financial absurdities of the research. In her letter, she wrote, "I am adding my voice to others calling for an end to these and other cruel and useless experiments—on behalf of the animals who are being pointlessly made to suffer and die, on behalf of women whose health concerns are starved for funds, and on behalf of taxpayers who are being defrauded."
Steinem’s multifaceted activism was matched by a legendary professional career in media and publishing. Alongside her grassroots organizing, she co-founded Ms. Magazine, helped launch New York Magazine, produced an Emmy Award-winning television documentary and feature film, and traveled extensively around the globe. In her travels, she documented women’s stories, listened to marginalized communities, and tirelessly raised awareness about the global imperative for equal rights. Her sharp, insightful essays and reports were featured in top publications worldwide, and the numerous books she authored became national best-sellers, inspiring generations of readers to question the status quo.
Her enduring philosophy was perhaps best captured in her own words, reflecting a belief in collective, grassroots responsibility: "Everything we do matters. If we all support each other in our dream of justice and kindness—and we reflect that dream in our daily acts—we can each be our own Rosa Parks."
As leaders and activists reflect on her immense impact, tributes continue to highlight the breadth of her compassion. PETA President Ingrid Newkirk noted the profound scope of Steinem’s empathy, stating, "Gloria Steinem understands that everyone, whatever skin they’re in and whether they have fur, fins, or feathers, deserves to live free from exploitation, suffering, and discrimination." Newkirk added that the organization encourages everyone to honor her legacy by showing solidarity across species lines and condemning the subjugation of any living being.
Gloria Steinem will forever be remembered for her immeasurable contributions to society, her fierce intellect, her moral clarity, and her unwavering perseverance in the pursuit of a more just and equal world for all living creatures.
