Remembering Gloria Steinem: Lessons from a life dedicated to feminism

Feminist Gloria Steinem addresses a rally in 1978. Pics Courtesy/@gloriasteinem, @gloriasfoundation, Wikimedia Commons, Britannica

With the passing of feminist icon Gloria Steinem on September 3, we look back at the life of the icon through ShiftMakers, a podcast by writer and journalist Marianne Schnall. The episode, released in August 2026, features a personal conversation between Schnall and Steinem around the launch of Schnall's book, What Will It Take to Make a Woman President? Steinem was her mentor and supporter throughout this journey. The conversation begins with a simple question: Why not a woman as President? Steinem's answer cuts through the heart of the issue: "For the longest time women were usually associated alongside their husband and not as individual identities."

What follows flows beyond a conventional discussion on feminism. The two unpack gender, questioning whether it is really about biology or a job, while also exploring "The spirituality of being feminine," a particularly interesting conversation as it does not frame feminism as a competition between men and women, instead, it acknowledges differences while making a clear case for greater representation.

Marianne Schnall

Most importantly, the episode is a reminder that feminism is far from a finished project. Steinem's ideas are sharp, practical and funny till date - making this particularly relevant and worthwhile as it captures the woman behind the icon.

Log on to @marianneschnall on Spotify

Steinem Says

»Always ask for what you're afraid of; ask for what you need with open heart
»Never deflect; always credit yourself for your worth and value our own accomplishments
»Women may be the one group that grows more radical with age as feminism has never been about getting a job

Also listen to

»Remembering Gloria Steinem by Elizabeth Day
On @elizabethday on Apple Podcasts

»She Pivots by Emily Tisch Sussman
On @emilytischsussman on iHeart Podcast