Honoring the legacy of Gloria Steinem

Writer, advocate and quintessential feminist, Gloria Steinem passed away September 2, 2026 at the age of 92 after decades of relentless service to the feminist movement.

As recently as June 2022, Steinem was quoted as saying, “Obviously, without the right of women and men to make decisions about our own bodies, there is no democracy.” Her advocacy for abortion rights throughout her life and career laid the foundation for which REPRO Rising Virginia and other reproductive health, rights, and justice advocates and organizations stand upon today. She is our standard bearer.

Steinem emphasized the intersectionality of gender discrimination and racial discrimination in her work and frequently cited the influence of Black women on her own beliefs and on the feminist movement as a whole.

Gloria was a trailblazer and will forever be a feminist icon for never backing down from the righteous fight for equality and always speaking truth to power. Her steadfast courage and commitment to the movement will be missed, but her work will carry on.

Photo: Gloria Steinem at news conference, Women’s Action Alliance, January 12, 1972 by Warren K. Leffler. Public domain.