"Women are allowed to be older now than they used to be and still be considered relevant," Gloria Steinem told Allure in April. And relevant she certainly remained, right up until her death on Wednesday at age 92.
Her last conversation with Allure was around beauty standards, a topic that frustrated her for most of her life. Steinem began her career as a journalist, co-founding Ms. Magazine in the '70s and insisting that the world take "women's issues" seriously. Despite her decades of feminist activism, her highlighted hair and stylish sensibilities often got her labeled as "the pretty one."
The tabloidian phrase "beauty and brains" has become a punchline because of women like Steinem, who normalized the idea that someone who takes the time to brush their hair and put on a cool outfit could (and should) be a vehement proponent of access to reproductive health care. It may have frustrated Steinem, but the undeniable role she played in making progress toward gender equality forced the general public to take her seriously despite their preconceived notions.
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