Gloria Steinem, a prominent journalist and feminist leader, has died, prompting a reassessment of her influence on American social movements. Penny Young Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America (CWA), published a statement arguing that while Steinem made significant strides against workplace discrimination, her broader legacy regarding family structure and reproductive choices was largely detrimental to women.
What the Left Is Saying
Gloria Steinem was a central figure in the second-wave feminist movement, known for co-founding Ms. magazine and advocating for women’s rights in professional and political spheres. Supporters celebrate Steinem for opening doors in professional and political arenas and for her efforts to combat sexual harassment and unequal pay.
What the Right Is Saying
Penny Young Nance leads the CWA, described as the nation’s largest public policy women’s organization. Following Steinem’s death, Nance released an opinion piece criticizing Steinem’s stance on abortion and marriage. Nance argued that Steinem’s view that pregnancy hindered women’s lives was "tragically misguided." Nance pointed to Steinem’s own admission of having an abortion, which Steinem stated "gave me my life," as evidence of a worldview that Nance claims misled women into believing they could not have both careers and children. Nance also critiqued Steinem’s famous quip that a woman needs a man "like a fish needs a bicycle," noting that Steinem later revised her perspective on marriage in her forthcoming memoir. Nance highlighted Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, a mother of seven, and athletes like Allyson Felix and Serena Williams as examples of women who have successfully balanced high-profile careers with motherhood, contradicting what Nance described as the "lie" perpetuated by Steinem’s generation. Additionally, Nance expressed concern over recent developments in women’s sports, specifically citing a California ruling that she argues undermines fairness by prioritizing gender identity over biological sex. Nance cited Beverly LaHaye, the CWA founder, as a contemporary trailblazer for women in public policy.
What the Numbers Show
The critique referenced a National Institutes of Health (NIH) study finding that 60% of women who had abortions would have preferred to carry their pregnancies to term with greater support. Additionally, Nance cited research indicating that only 12% of leftist women describe themselves as "completely satisfied with life," compared to their conservative peers, whom she stated were three times more likely to report happiness.
The Bottom Line
The debate over Steinem’s legacy highlights a growing divide in how women’s movements are defined. While Steinem is celebrated by many for opening doors in professional and political arenas, conservative women’s groups like the CWA argue that her emphasis on individual autonomy over traditional family structures came at a social cost. As young women forge new paths, Nance suggests that many are rejecting the earlier feminist narrative in favor of a model that integrates career success with motherhood and marriage, seeking identity in what she terms "God’s unique design" rather than secular definitions of liberty.