Steinem to discuss feminism

A semester later than planned, Gloria Steinem will finally be speaking at F&M.

Steinem was originally slated to be the keynote speaker at last spring’s Anuual Women’s Studies Conference, but was unable to attend due to personal matters. However, this lost chance will soon be rectified, as Steinem will speak at next week’s Common Hour, “Perspectives on Equality and Community.”

Steinem is a feminist journalist and activist whose vocal support for the women’s rights movement earned her national fame in the 1960s and has led to her continued presence as a household name, even today. 

Although Steinem’s accomplishments are too many to be listed here, a sampling is in order: Among her many achievements are the founding of Ms. magazine, authorship of several bestselling books, and the founding of several pro-equality groups. Also, her writing has earned her several awards, including the the Society of Writers Award from the United Nations.

The event promises to be an interesting and enlightening look at feminism, both in its current state and historically, from a woman who has been involved with the movement from its very beginning. Students, both male and female alike, are sure to benefit from Steinem’s uncompromising attitude toward equality and her in-depth knowledge of her cause, gained from years on the front lines of the feminist movement.

On her website, gloriasteinem.com, Steinem offered a message that she often repeated when speaking on college campuses. “We aren’t blank slates, but we are also communal creatures who are born before our brains are fully developed, so we’re very sensitive to our environment. The question is: How to find the support and the circumstances that allow you to express what’s inside you?”

Steinem’s discussion is sure to highlight those circumstances (or lack thereof) at F&M, and will no doubt spark discussion campus-wide. The event will be held in Mayser Gymnasium at 11:30.

For more information, contact Kathryn L. Missildine ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).