Gloria Steinem Reflects on Ms. Magazine’s Founding
Gloria Steinem Reflects on Ms. Magazine’s Founding
In a 2023 Sunday Morning interview, Gloria Steinem recalls how she helped launch Ms. Magazine, a pivotal feminist publication that brought women’s rights into mainstream media.
From New York Columnist to Feminist Pioneer
When Gloria Steinem was in her thirties, she was a columnist for New York magazine. It was during this period that she met a group of like‑minded writers who shared her vision of a publication dedicated to women’s issues. Together, they founded Ms. Magazine, a bold step that aimed to bring feminism into the mainstream conversation.
The Sunday Morning Conversation
The interview aired on September 17, 2023, on CBS’s Sunday Morning. Steinem spoke with Rita Braver about the magazine’s origins, detailing the challenges and triumphs of starting a feminist voice in a male‑dominated media landscape. Braver also interviewed Katherine Spillar, Ms. Magazine’s executive editor, who later compiled the anthology 50 Years of Ms.: The Best of the Pathfinding Magazine That Ignited a Revolution.
Impact and Legacy
Ms. Magazine quickly became a cultural touchstone, offering a platform for women’s stories and sparking discussions that reached beyond the pages. The publication’s influence is evident in the broader acceptance of feminist ideas in mainstream media and the ongoing dialogue about gender equality.
Remembering a Trailblazer
Gloria Steinem passed away on September 2, 2026, at the age of 92. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched and the movements she helped shape. The interview remains a valuable record of her insights and the birth of a publication that changed the media landscape.
