Gloria Steinem dies at age 92

Women's rights activist Gloria Steinem (1934-2026), known as the face of the feminist movement in the 1960s and 70s, has passed away at age 92. A statement on Steinem's instagram page says she died in her New York home Wednesday -- surrounded by loved ones.

During her career as an activist, Steinem ent undercover in 1963 as a Playboy Bunny cocktail waitress to write an expose about their poor working conditions and low pay. She would go on to co-found the National Women's Political Caucus and "Ms. Magazine." She also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013 from former President Barack Obama.

She was a stanch advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment, ERA, which states that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. It failed to pass in 1970 and still has not been been added to the constitution, though many continue to advocate for it to be.

The statement on Steinem's instagram page also shared one of her favorite quotes; “The flap of a butterfly's wing can change the weather hundreds of miles away.” It asks mourners to light a candle for her, saying she liked how signal fires could show the way for others.

The post says Steinem's greatest gift was making others feel heard but she also used her voice to advocate for women.