Gloria Steinem: Political Activist and Feminist Leader

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Relevance of Life Experiences and Circumstances
Key Works
Influences and Influence
My Response
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

It is important to note that the given analysis will primarily focus on Gloria Steinem. The key emphasis of the assessment will be put on how her works were shaped by the activist’s social assumptions. Thesis: Gloria Steinem’s direct, bold, argumentative, and explicit style of conveying her ideas and values is the result of her political activism, feminist leadership, and her grandmother, Pauline Perlmutter Steinem.

Relevance of Life Experiences and Circumstances

In order to understand Gloria Steinem’s works and the context of her actions, it is critical to provide some relevant facts first. She was born on March 25, 1934, in Toledo, Ohio, which means that she was born right after the first wave of feminism and before the next one (Wagner 52). Steinem is widely recognized as a prominent leader of second-wave feminism (Molony 85). Her grandmother’s involvement with the National Woman Suffrage Association laid the groundwork for how she viewed feminism as the area of her life’s dedication (Wagner 77). She is a feminist organizer, which greatly shaped how she views gender roles and patriarchy as oppressive forces imposed upon women. Steinem is a political activist as well, which influenced her stance on abortion rights and women’s bodily autonomy. She is a lecturer and writer, which was critical in making her books transformative and inspirational educational sources for women.

Key Works

Gloria Steinem’s key works range from different columns, lectures, writings, and speeches to books and political statements. However, her books specifically provide the most comprehensive source of information on her efforts and activities on feminism, politics, and advocacies. Her most prominent book, titled My Life on the Road, is an outstanding writing on her journey to become one of the key figures in feminism. She writes: “no man can call himself liberal, or radical, or even a conservative … if his work depends in any way on the unpaid or underpaid labor of women at home” (Steinem, My Life on the Road 132). As a feminist, her style of writing is direct and explicit, shaped by her biographical information on her grandmother and activism.

Another important book of Steinem is titled The Truth Will Set You Free, But First It Will Piss You Off! She writes: “men should think twice before making widowhood women’s only path to power” (Steinem, The Truth Will Set You Free 71). Once again, one can see how her activism and feminist leadership create a rigid and commanding style of communication. She warns men that opposing feminism is unproductive since gender quality is beneficial for all, not only for women.

In Praise of Women’s Bodies is Steinem’s key work on women’s bodily autonomy and abortion rights. She writes: “childbirth is more admirable than conquest, more amazing than self-defense, and as courageous as either one” (Steinem, In Praise of Women’s Bodies 68). She uses strong comparisons and makes strong arguments on the value and struggle of birthing a child, which highlights the fact that it is up to women to decide how they become mothers.

Influences and Influence

Pauline Perlmutter Steinem, Steinem’s paternal grandmother, had the most profound impact on how she became such a strong and inspirational feminist leader. Pauline Perlmutter Steinem was important because she was a chairwoman of the National Woman Suffrage Association’s educational committee (Molony 54). Since she was an educator, Steinem realized from early on that her style must be not only transformative and vocal because she is an activist but educational as well. It is well-reflected in her approach to stating the facts and calling for action since her statements are always explicit, direct, and informative. She points out a problem and calls it out as boldly as possible, which she follows up with a solution in the form of feminist reform.

My Response

My experience in the modern world is that I rarely observe blatant acts of gender inequality in my everyday life. I can attribute a significant portion of such a privilege due to the efforts and works of Steinem and others like her. I greatly appreciate her writings not only because they are direct and strong in their message but for their depth and understanding as well. She views the struggle of womanhood in its entirety by touching on a range of critical topics ranging from self-esteem and bodily autonomy to gender roles. My experience of observing how abortion rights were threatened in recent years made me appreciate her work even more since it shows that the fight must continue.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Gloria Steinem’s direct, bold, argumentative, and explicit style of conveying her ideas and values is the result of her political activism, feminist leadership, and her grandmother, Pauline Perlmutter Steinem. As a feminist, her style of writing is direct and explicit, shaped by her biographical information on her grandmother and activism. She uses strong comparisons and makes strong arguments on the value and struggle of birthing a child, which highlights the fact that it is up to women to decide how they become mothers. One can see how her activism and feminist leadership create a rigid and commanding style of communication. I greatly appreciate her writings because they are direct, strong, and comprehensive.

Works Cited

Molony, Barbara. Women’s Activism and “Second Wave” Feminism. Bloomsbury Academic, 2017.

Steinem, Gloria. In Praise of Women’s Bodies. Kindle, 2016.

Steinem, Gloria. My Life on the Road. Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2016.

Steinem, Gloria. The Truth Will Set You Free, But First It Will Piss You Off!: Thoughts on Life, Love, and Rebellion. Random House, 2019.

Wagner, Sally R. The Women’s Suffrage Movement. Penguin Books, 2019.

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