In Memoriam of Gloria Steinem
A trailblazing writer, activist, and lifelong champion of women’s rights.
NEW YORK, N.Y. - October 15, 2026 - Women Creating Change (WCC) mourns the passing of Gloria Steinem. Gloria Steinem was a transformative leader, activist, and coalition builder who understood that the fight for gender equity must also confront racial and social injustice. Throughout her life, she stood alongside and worked in partnership with women of color and other movement leaders to advance equality and amplify voices too often unheard.
Gloria’s influence broke barriers that changed what was possible for women in public life. Her impact shaped modern feminism and the fight for gender equality.
Women in our community may still remember Gloria delivering our 2013 Neuberger Lecture, “What Will It Take for Women to Reach Equality?” This year, she was set to receive the 2026 Amplify Her Foundation Glassbreaker Award at our State of NYC Women Conference on October 8.
“She did not simply break barriers for herself. She questioned why those barriers existed. She challenged the systems that upheld them and created pathways for others to move forward.”
Chantal Bonitto, Amplify Her Foundation’s Leadership Network, presenting the Amplify Her Foundation Glassbreaker Award at our State of NYC Women Conference on October 8
“Revolutions that last don’t happen from the top down; they grow from the bottom up."
Gloria Steinem, as read by Amy Richards at our State of NYC Women Conference on October 8
On behalf of Women Creating Change and those we serve, we thank Gloria for her courage, leadership, and lifelong commitment to justice. Our deepest condolences go to her family, friends, and the community she inspired.
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