Gloria Steinem shares a lifetime of work and wisdom with the campus

By: Kevin Waltz

Managing Editor

Gloria Steinem, renowned journalist and feminist activist, visited the college campus to tell her story and give wisdom to a sold out crowd Friday, April 5 in the Maureen Stapleton Theatre.

Steinem was interviewed by English Department Chairwoman Maria Palmara. Palmara questioned Steinem about highlights of her career and her thoughts on the current state of the feminist movement and its future.

There was also time given for audience members to ask Steinem their own questions, with subjects ranging from reproductive rights to parenting advice.

Many of the audience members expressed great admiration for Steinem. Shirley Darling, an audience member who heard about the event through friends, viewed Steinem as an inspiration.

“She’s an icon to me,” said Darling, “I was raised to think of her as a hero of mine.”

Steinem, who started out as a freelance journalist, used her career to become a trailblazer for feminism, and became a face of the movement for over 50 years.

“I didn’t always overcome [prejudice],” she recalled. “I was told ‘we don’t want a pretty girl, we want a writer. Go home.’ I could write about the wife of the mayor, but not the mayor,” she added.

“[The topics] spanned my life and my evolution,” said Elaine Miller, an audience member. “[For Steinem], there’s no retirement and there’s no joy in sitting on the sidelines,” Miller explained. “She’s just really an inspiration.”

In 1972, Steinem co-founded feminist “Ms.” magazine. “Ms.” published monthly from 1972 to 1987, and sought to draw attention to the issues addressed by feminism, such as equal rights, reproductive rights and eliminating gender roles.

“I went to college in the 60’s. That was the beginning of people speaking out,” explained Ellen Jennings, who attended the event with her husband, Bill, a trustee for the college. “She says things I’ve thought about my entire life.”

Tickets sold out within a day after the event was first announced in January.

Jessica Brouker, an English professor, felt lucky to get a ticket.

“I actually didn’t get a ticket at first because they sold out so quickly, but then someone else from the English department who had a ticket couldn’t go, so he gave me his,” Brouker explained. “I went because Gloria Steinem has had a huge impact on society.”

According to Brouker, seeing Steinem in person was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“As a woman, I feel that the fight for equality is crucial,” expressed Brouker. “As a mother, I believe Steinem’s lessons about acceptance and humanity are important to pass along to my child.”

Steinem offered advice to parents on how they can raise girls to be more empowered.

“You’re raising unique human beings,” Steinem said. “You’re helping that person to become who she already is,“ she said. “As a child we know we are worth listening to because someone listens to us.”

Steinem’s message for young girls was to stay true to who they are.

“Don’t listen to my advice,” said Steinem. “Listen to yourself, and how can I help?”

“There isn’t a way to succeed in the world. There isn’t a definition of success in the world. Do what you love,” she added.

Attendees left the event with a positive outlook on the future of the feminist movement.

“There is hope for women and young people to learn the lessons that she has been trying to talk about for over 45 years,” claimed Darling. “It still feels new to people, which is tragic, but hopeful.”

Students at Hudson Valley Community College are among the generation who are the future of the movement.

“One message from Steinem that stood out to me was that times keep changing, and what was effective in the past may not be effective now,” explained Brouker. “It’s up to us to keep advocating for equality, and we may have to do this in new ways.”

Additionally, Steinem emphasized listening and empathy.

“This is important for everyone in higher education, but especially for classmates and instructors,” continued Brouker. “Listening and empathy are the first steps to understanding, and without understanding, we can’t become better people.”

Steinems message to the campus community was that of inclusion in the feminist movement.

“I just want [students] to know that we’re here to support them, to support their dreams, their talents and not to feel alone,” she said.