One of the world’s most famous feminists, Gloria Steinem has been a trailblazing sociopolitical activist since the 1960s, redefining the landscape of modern gender equality. Born in 1934 in Toledo, Ohio, Steinem had an unconventional upbringing, marked by frequent moves and being a caretaker for her mother who struggled with mental illness — challenges that shaped her independent spirit. After studying government at Smith College in Massachusetts, Steinem pursued journalism, becoming a founding editor of New York magazine. While her 1963 undercover report on New York City’s Playboy Club in Show magazine cemented her writing reputation, she still wasn’t getting the same opportunities as men.

In the 1970s, Steinem co-founded Ms. magazine and the National Women’s Political Caucus, amplifying underrepresented feminist voices. Her books, including the essay collection Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions (1983) and Revolution From Within (1992), espouse both individual consciousness and collective action in confronting societal inequalities, and they continue to resonate today. Steinem currently lives in her longtime apartment in New York City.