The fact that so many of today’s younger generation of women don’t know about or don’t appreciate Steinhem’s incredible work or, even worse, argue for the “pre-feminism” world has long been one of my greatest frustrations as a woman.
Yes! Ms. Steinem 4evah and evah! I was 11 years old when Time magazine’s issue with Ms. Steinem—holding a sign that said WE SHALL OVERCOME—on the cover appeared on my parents’ coffee table. My dad ranted and raved about Ms. Steinem with hissing scorn so frequently, it finally hit me that he FEARED her. I was so deeply impressed by how much she bothered him, that I hung on her every word. She validated my sass and suspicions, and revealed the power of words to me. Her books, magazine, raised-fist images on other magazines and media TOOK UP SPACE in the lower middle class homes where I babysat and cleaned houses. She got in our heads, our hearts, and got our feet marching. I’m forever indebted to her. And I’ll never stop fighting for her causes. GLORIA! 4evah!
I am 70. It was hard to get credit for a woman even then , because of her it was possible. Laws were written to protect women from not getting a chance to move up in companies…,DEI was put in our companies to make the white only, men only time go away. Trump and republicans and the Supreme Court put us back 50 years!?!? Vote every republican out local on up … we have more work to do because of them!!!
So very good, Ms (!!!) Burleigh. Thank you. The Gay Talese and Charles Manson quotes... Your "surgically disfigured [I'd add 'voluntarily'] foot-bound" brilliant. Brava👏
"surgically disfigured foot-bound younger women who have given up the fight" We are all strangers in a strange land now and we can't find our way back. Onward through the fog!
You had me at Swift. Steinem was a world-class leader in the long war against misogyny and bigotry. She could cut a sexiest clown to size with a sharp phrase or wilting stare. Also good to include odious Stern on this list — sexual violence was a laugh line to him and he gave Trump an enormous platform pre-Apprentice.
Thank you, Nina. I had to look up that Keats quote. Found it's from a six line poem written almost two hundred years after Swift died, based on his own Latin epitaph. From one Irish activist to another.
The full poem, published by W.B. Yeats in 1933 under the title "Swift's Epitaph," reads:
I hope my granddaughters follow the example their mothers (my daughters) set and work to become the people they most wish to be. It worn’t be easy, but it will be worth the effort. Fitting into a tiny box defined by others is no future for anyone, male or female. Gloria Steinem and many, many other Baby Boomer women I grew up with took some really hard and undeserved knocks during their lives. But they followed that old saying (Japanese, I believe, but closely matched by a verse in Proverbs): Fall down seven times, stand up eight. Gloria never gave away her power and she didn’t suffer fools lightly. I respect and admire that.
Well written. I was brought up in the Catholic faith where memorizing Baltimore catechism sprinkled with a generous amount of guilt left little for self reflection. I characterized my marriage as Gloria Steinman married to Archie Bunker. But I treasure that she saw in us the potential past the white picket fence and the two kids. Treasure your friendship with the women around you. Share your stories cry on their shoulders but most of all laugh and love with them.
Thank you Nina. I too was a junior high school student wearing hip huggers and aviator sunglasses. Gloria Steinem was an inspiration to me and I lived my life by taking charge of my own financial future without relying on a man.
Now I’m on the other side, retired, financially stable, own my home. There was a man, but he died while our children were still in school. I’m grateful, despite the devastating loss, I was still able to provide for my family.
6th and 7th grade girls should read Ms. Steinem’s words. She changed the lives of many women in our generation. Future generations must learn as well.
Nina, thank you for writing about beloved Gloria. You speak of the "whole truth". When I think of all the courageous women who have fought for Women's Rights, Gloria is my hero. I wanted to be her! She was my role model to stand up to all kinds of abuse and oppression.
The maga women, and women like them, have truly sold their lives to the highest bidder. In their unconsciousness, maybe they think they're happy but I put value on my human rights and integrity. I would rather be poor, single, and free than answer to a commanding male.
Excellent. I was one who was expected to be a trad wife. A Doctor’ s wife of all things.
But I ended up as de facto single mom going back to school and getting my masters while taking care of the car pooling and other parenting tasks
.
If it wasnt the co-operation with other women and the consciousness raising happening in the culture I wouldn’t have survived
The fact that so many of today’s younger generation of women don’t know about or don’t appreciate Steinhem’s incredible work or, even worse, argue for the “pre-feminism” world has long been one of my greatest frustrations as a woman.
Yes! Ms. Steinem 4evah and evah! I was 11 years old when Time magazine’s issue with Ms. Steinem—holding a sign that said WE SHALL OVERCOME—on the cover appeared on my parents’ coffee table. My dad ranted and raved about Ms. Steinem with hissing scorn so frequently, it finally hit me that he FEARED her. I was so deeply impressed by how much she bothered him, that I hung on her every word. She validated my sass and suspicions, and revealed the power of words to me. Her books, magazine, raised-fist images on other magazines and media TOOK UP SPACE in the lower middle class homes where I babysat and cleaned houses. She got in our heads, our hearts, and got our feet marching. I’m forever indebted to her. And I’ll never stop fighting for her causes. GLORIA! 4evah!
I am 70. It was hard to get credit for a woman even then , because of her it was possible. Laws were written to protect women from not getting a chance to move up in companies…,DEI was put in our companies to make the white only, men only time go away. Trump and republicans and the Supreme Court put us back 50 years!?!? Vote every republican out local on up … we have more work to do because of them!!!
Never, never ever vote for a Republican and never, never feel sympathy for their "trad" female counterparts.
So very good, Ms (!!!) Burleigh. Thank you. The Gay Talese and Charles Manson quotes... Your "surgically disfigured [I'd add 'voluntarily'] foot-bound" brilliant. Brava👏
"surgically disfigured foot-bound younger women who have given up the fight" We are all strangers in a strange land now and we can't find our way back. Onward through the fog!
You had me at Swift. Steinem was a world-class leader in the long war against misogyny and bigotry. She could cut a sexiest clown to size with a sharp phrase or wilting stare. Also good to include odious Stern on this list — sexual violence was a laugh line to him and he gave Trump an enormous platform pre-Apprentice.
Brilliant!
Thank you for your voice. And spirit.
Thank you, Nina. I had to look up that Keats quote. Found it's from a six line poem written almost two hundred years after Swift died, based on his own Latin epitaph. From one Irish activist to another.
The full poem, published by W.B. Yeats in 1933 under the title "Swift's Epitaph," reads:
Swift has sailed into his rest;
Savage indignation there
Cannot lacerate his breast.
Imitate him if you dare,
World-besotted traveller; he
Served human liberty.
Thank you Nina!
I hope my granddaughters follow the example their mothers (my daughters) set and work to become the people they most wish to be. It worn’t be easy, but it will be worth the effort. Fitting into a tiny box defined by others is no future for anyone, male or female. Gloria Steinem and many, many other Baby Boomer women I grew up with took some really hard and undeserved knocks during their lives. But they followed that old saying (Japanese, I believe, but closely matched by a verse in Proverbs): Fall down seven times, stand up eight. Gloria never gave away her power and she didn’t suffer fools lightly. I respect and admire that.
Well written. I was brought up in the Catholic faith where memorizing Baltimore catechism sprinkled with a generous amount of guilt left little for self reflection. I characterized my marriage as Gloria Steinman married to Archie Bunker. But I treasure that she saw in us the potential past the white picket fence and the two kids. Treasure your friendship with the women around you. Share your stories cry on their shoulders but most of all laugh and love with them.
Gloria Steinem is why Monday I’ll go to the office and no one will grab my ass.
Ms Forever……
Thank you Nina. I too was a junior high school student wearing hip huggers and aviator sunglasses. Gloria Steinem was an inspiration to me and I lived my life by taking charge of my own financial future without relying on a man.
Now I’m on the other side, retired, financially stable, own my home. There was a man, but he died while our children were still in school. I’m grateful, despite the devastating loss, I was still able to provide for my family.
6th and 7th grade girls should read Ms. Steinem’s words. She changed the lives of many women in our generation. Future generations must learn as well.
The PBS series “Makers: Women Who Made America” should be essential viewing—what gains we’ve made because of those who went before.
Nina, thank you for writing about beloved Gloria. You speak of the "whole truth". When I think of all the courageous women who have fought for Women's Rights, Gloria is my hero. I wanted to be her! She was my role model to stand up to all kinds of abuse and oppression.
The maga women, and women like them, have truly sold their lives to the highest bidder. In their unconsciousness, maybe they think they're happy but I put value on my human rights and integrity. I would rather be poor, single, and free than answer to a commanding male.
Rest in power, beautiful Gloria. 💕