Gloria Steinem Dies at 92

Gloria Steinem, a prominent feminist advocate, has died at the age of 92. Throughout her career, she focused on the idea that patriarchy is fundamentally about power.

Steinem's approach to feminism was significantly shaped by a pivotal stay in India in 1957. At age 22, she traveled to the country on a Chester Bowles fellowship after graduating from Smith College with a degree in government. During her time there, she lived at Miranda House at Delhi University and supported herself through modeling, advertising, and writing for newspapers.

Her experiences in India included meetings with Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and Indira Gandhi. She also attended a Radical Humanist study camp in Mussoorie, where she learned that the term radical could mean going to the root of an issue rather than being violent. Additionally, traveling in women's railway carriages allowed her to witness women sharing intimate experiences regarding family and childbirth, an experience that preceded the consciousness raising groups later seen in American feminism.

Other formative events occurred around the time of her travel. While waiting for her visa in London, she obtained an illegal abortion. This experience led to her conviction that women cannot control their own lives without control over reproduction.