Today, Gloria Steinem turns 80.
Why is this important? "Steinem occupies a singular place in American culture," writes Gail Collins in The New York Times. "In the 1960s and 1970s, the whole concept of women's place transformed -- discrimination was outlawed, hearts and minds were opened."
There were all kinds of reasons that the change
happened at that particular time, and a raft of
female leaders who pushed the movement along,
says Collins. But when people think about it,
Gloria Steinem is generally the first name that
pops up. She's the face of feminism.
From her prolific journalism career and tireless work for women's rights to her world travels and great optimism for the future, Steinem certainly has been a good steward of her eight decades.
Happy 80th, Gloria.
Illustration by Rachell Sumpter for The New York Times.
