Gloria Steinem Research Paper

Gloria Steinem Biography

Feminism, the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men. For many years there has been sexual discrimination towards women, specifically in the work field. Women struggle fighting for the fair treatment and pay they deserve. One particular strong woman who fights everyday for woman’s rights is Gloria Steinem. Steinem is known to be an American feminist, journalist, and social political activist.

When women had no voice Gloria Steinem was the voice for the rights of women. As a young girl she lived a rough life growing up with her mother, who was emotionally disturbed. She managed to make it through high school and soon after attended college. It was very clear

to Steinem she did not want to follow the most common life path for women at an early age, so she decided to study government. During college she became engaged to her boyfriend, during that time she became pregnant. Steinem was faced with a tough decision, She decided to have an abortion and continue her education; this situation in her life opened up her mind and how women were treated to a more clearer picture. Later on after finishing her degree. She established a career for herself, as a journalist in New York; she tried to hold her own in a field dominated by men. While working as a journalist Steinem went undercover as a waitress “bunny” at the New York City’s Playboy Club. This became one of her most famous articles because; She had revealed the dark side of what many people thought to be a glamorous life. Steinem had also exposed the hard work she accomplished for such little pay, and the sexual harassment she dealt with.

Steinem was the founder of Ms. Magazine and helped found New York Magazine. Ms. Magazine covered a variety of topics, for example, sexual harassment and gender bias in certain work places and politics. She also founded many political organizations for women. Steinem shocked many women when she decided to marry at the age of 66 to a man named David Bale. This was coming from the same woman who said a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle. She has used her influence to empower other women and help them criticize politicians who refuse to acknowledge equality between both female and male.

Steinem is a warrior for women's rights and equality for all. Her definition of feminist “is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men”. Feminists are usually stereotyped as women who hate men and believe women are better than men, but that’s not the case. Feminists see the world as equality for both sexes. I would consider myself a feminist, now that I have a better understanding of what it truly defines. Feminists have great views of the world around us. They tend to be more aware of their surroundings. These are women who want to be heard and understood, Better yet equally treated. No woman wants to live in a world where males feel they have the right to dominate and have more of a privilege to do certain things women cant do just because they say so.
Society says women can be whatever they desire to be, but in reality we just get pushed down and treated unimportant. Women don’t get equally treated or equally paid for doing the same labor as men. Some women get turned down for great opportunities simply because they are female. The problem with society today is that men do not realize, that women can demonstrate anything a man can. Men cannot do what women do, that’s why most women today have two jobs. One is at home and the other outside. “The truth is that women cant be equal outside the home until men are equal in it”– Steinem.