10 Quotes From Gloria Steinem on Women, Power and Being Seen

Gloria Steinem’s voice has resounded across decades. WWD reflects on 10 memorable quotes captured in interviews she gave its editors and from events and gatherings she attended through the years.

WWD, Aug. 31, 1966, The Fashions: The Girl of Her Dreams

“When I was 12 I wanted to be a dancer. The Rockettes were my ideal.” But she kicked that idea over for ballet. And that was sidestepped for college. “I thought it would be fun to do musical comedy at night and writing during the day.”

“Politics is my single favorite subject.”

“I love clothes, and I am getting over feeling guilty about it. They make me feel better, look better, etc. The whole thing just has to be in perspective.”

WWD, Aug. 10, 1970: On the Women’s Strike for Equality

“Having no idea what the effects of the strike might be,” she told WWD, “It’s like Civil Rights,” she said, “you can’t help it. Like the moratorium, the strike will be very big and free and nobody knows what will happen.”

Gloria Steinem on stage at the Women’s Media Awards at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel, New York, 2019. Clint Spaulding/WWD

WWD, April 26, 1971: Sic Transit Gloria Steinem

“It’s taken me a long time to realize that what we’re taught in America, that publicity is good and obscurity is bad, is not necessarily true. We get too much emphasis on individual people, and it becomes star time.”

WWD, Oct. 31, 1971: Eye, On the release of Ms. Magazine

“It’ll be sort of like the magazine ‘Family of Man,’ only it’ll be the Family of Women. It won’t show women as being all alike, or beautiful. It will be for all kinds of women, from all walks of life.”

WWD, Jan. 11, 1974: Sexiest Women, The Women’s Choices

“I think sexiness is a vital quality; it means that all five senses are working and learning and reaching. Here’s a trio for you — Suzanne Langer, a philosopher; Nina Simone, and (feminist) Anselma Dell’Olio just for sheer vitality and aliveness.”