Steinem’s CIA ties stir debate over feminist legacy
The gist
Gloria Steinem’s feminist legacy is under the microscope as fresh revelations about her CIA ties reignite debate over her status as an independent icon.
What to know
- Steinem’s Cold War activism—including her attendance at international student conferences—was secretly backed by CIA funding, complicating her image as a grassroots crusader.
- She co-founded Ms. magazine and pushed intersectional feminism, learning from leaders like Dorothy Pitman Hughes and helping criminalize marital rape in the U.S. during the 1970s and 1980s.
- Her Manhattan brownstone became a legendary feminist organizing hub, while international tributes now balance praise for her pioneering work with scrutiny of her controversial alliances.
Feminism as Cold War Tool
Steinem’s CIA-backed activism reveals how feminist movements were entangled with U.S. soft power strategies in the global ideological battle against the Soviet Union.
Gloria Steinem's activism during the Cold War was not only a grassroots feminist endeavor but also a facet of broader U.S. cultural diplomacy, as evidenced by her CIA-funded attendance at student conferences. This funding placed her alongside other culturally significant figures like Rothko and the Boston Symphony, positioning her as a soft power asset in the ideological contest against Soviet influence. Her involvement underscores the intricate overlap between genuine social movements and strategic geopolitical agendas during that era.
The revelation of Steinem’s CIA connections complicates the narrative of her as solely an independent feminist icon, highlighting the nuanced and sometimes contradictory nature of her political alliances. While her activism advanced women's rights, it simultaneously served as a channel for Cold War cultural diplomacy, reflecting how individual actors often navigated and embodied the complexities of global power dynamics. This dual role invites a reassessment of her legacy within the intertwined realms of political strategy and social change.
Intersectionality’s Complex Origins
Steinem’s feminist leadership was shaped by learning from women of color and global allies, yet her prominence often overshadowed the grassroots voices that fueled the movement’s diversity.
Gloria Steinem was instrumental in transforming second-wave feminism into a national and global movement by cofounding Ms. magazine, which expanded feminist discourse beyond elite coastal and academic circles to reach a broader American audience. Her activism challenged systemic inequalities such as workplace discrimination and marital rape laws, helping to criminalize marital rape in numerous states during the 1970s and 1980s. This foundational momentum from the 1970s through the 1990s laid the groundwork for ongoing feminist advances, with Steinem herself acknowledging feminism as a long-term project to dismantle millennia of patriarchy.
Steinem pioneered an intersectional approach by explicitly linking feminist struggles with racial justice, advocating that feminism cannot be separated from anti-racism. Her relationships with prominent women of color like Dorothy Pitman Hughes, Shirley Chisholm, and Wilma Mankiller deeply informed her work, leading her to acknowledge that she learned feminism disproportionately from Black women. Yet, despite her inclusive activism, Steinem’s privileged position and media visibility often overshadowed the equally vital contributions of women of color, reflecting the complex dynamics of public feminist leadership.
Committed to international solidarity, Steinem actively supported global feminist networks and activists, exemplified by her outreach to Egyptian feminist Mona Eltahawy during political unrest. Her legacy serves as a vital counterpoint to rising femonationalism, emphasizing feminism’s role in combating all forms of oppression rather than advancing nationalist or racist agendas. This global vision also fueled her endorsement of transformative feminist initiatives like The Vagina Monologues and the V-Day movement, which have been pivotal in raising awareness about violence against women and gender-expansive people worldwide.
Steinem’s enduring influence on young feminists worldwide stems from her fearless exposure of cultural norms—such as her undercover Playboy Bunny investigation—and her inclusive, self-reflective activism that inspired feminist media like the Vagenda. Her advocacy for reproductive rights remains profoundly relevant, symbolized by her dedication to the British doctor who provided her an abortion despite its illegality, a testament that resonates deeply in the post-Roe v. Wade era. Her stamina and hope continue to inspire new feminist imaginings to confront the intertwined challenges of racist, fascist, and capitalist patriarchy.
A Home for Revolution
Steinem’s Manhattan brownstone became a crucible of feminist strategy, where relentless organizing and everyday conversation forged the backbone of the women’s movement.
Gloria Steinem’s Manhattan brownstone was more than just a residence; it was a deliberate sanctuary and organizing hub that nurtured feminist activism. Inspired by historical suffragist meeting places, Steinem envisioned her home as a safe space where women could gather, converse, and transform dialogue into tangible action. This living room hosted pivotal discussions that shaped Ms. Magazine and the Women’s Media Center, while also welcoming activists, farmworkers, and political leaders, making it a vibrant cultural refuge for the movement.
Beyond its physical charm, Steinem’s home symbolized grassroots democracy and the unglamorous, persistent labor of movement-building. While Architectural Digest might have eventually photographed the brownstone, its true essence lay in the folding chairs, endless coffee, and countless conversations that fueled feminist organizing. This space embodied the spirit of democratic activism, serving as a crucible where ideas were forged into collective power one conversation at a time.
Legacy of Dualities and Influence
Steinem’s global reputation is defined by both her pioneering activism and her controversial alliances, inspiring new generations while sparking debate over the true costs of political pragmatism.
International tributes to Gloria Steinem vividly capture the duality of her legacy as both a pioneering feminist and a politically complex figure. Longtime friend and activist Phyllis Chesler highlights Steinem’s unique interpersonal skills—her politeness, attentiveness, and ability to be genuinely liked—which enabled her to forge influential alliances globally. Yet Chesler also does not shy away from acknowledging Steinem’s controversial collaborations, including her work with the CIA and political stances that sometimes diverged from core feminist principles, underscoring Steinem’s identity as 'first and last, a political being' who provoked both admiration and ire within feminist circles worldwide.
Global political leaders and advocates frame Steinem’s legacy as a cornerstone of the international feminist movement, emphasizing her unwavering commitment to women’s rights despite setbacks. The former Australian prime minister encapsulated this by stating that it is impossible to write the history of women’s activism without Steinem’s name at its center, praising her steadfast dedication even amid non-linear progress, particularly regarding reproductive freedom in the United States. This tribute also carried a call to action, urging the global community to carry forward her vision, thereby transforming her legacy into a shared responsibility.
Steinem’s influence transcends borders and generations, fueling contemporary legal advocacy and survivor activism, as exemplified by Australian barrister Jennifer Robinson. At the Sydney premiere of the documentary 'Silenced,' Robinson connected Steinem’s role as a 'silence-breaker' and 'truth-teller' to ongoing global efforts against the legal silencing of abuse survivors. Robinson’s personal family history—her grandmother’s work as a domestic violence survivor and refuge advocate inspired by Steinem—illustrates the intergenerational and international reach of Steinem’s activism. Robinson further invoked Steinem’s metaphor of 'many torches' to emphasize the collective empowerment of diverse voices worldwide rather than a singular leadership model.
