Gloria Steinem's most profound contribution to one of humanity's most vital projects was her ability to call out injustices and kindle the fires of discontent. By defining a feminist as someone who recognizes the equality and humanity of both women and men, she transitioned feminism from a niche or partisan project into a global public good. She empowered generations of women to see patriarchy not as an inevitable tradition, but as a structure to be challenged.

Reflecting on the 1970s, author Lakshmi Puri recalls the ferment of second-wave feminism at Lady Shri Ram College. The era was marked by provocative works such as Kate Millett’s Sexual Politics and Germaine Greer’s The Female Eunuch. In the Indian context, feminism manifested in three streams: liberal feminism seeking integration into power structures, radical feminism demanding a total societal revamp, and cultural feminism valuing the distinct qualities of women.

BozokMedia analysis shows that Steinem's brilliance lay in her ability to 'name' the enemy. By identifying structural discrimination, unequal pay, and the denial of reproductive freedom, she provided a vocabulary for oppression. Her insistence on bodily autonomy as a foundational right remains the central battleground of modern human rights, especially in an era of legislative reversals globally.

Feminism is not a zero-sum game; the liberation of women is inextricably linked to the liberation of the human spirit from rigid gender roles.

Steinem's connection to India was deeply symbiotic. Having lived at Miranda House during a Chester Bowles Asian Fellowship, her intellectual formation was influenced by Gandhians and Indian activists. This cross-pollination meant that when her ideas later returned to India, they found fertile ground. However, Indian feminism was never a mere Western transplant; it stood on the shoulders of giants like Ahilyabai Holkar, Rani Lakshmibai, and Savitribai Phule.

As the founding deputy executive director of UN Women, Lakshmi Puri worked alongside Steinem in what she calls the "Mission Possible" of gender equality. Steinem's home in New York, filled with Indian art and artifacts, mirrored her belief in a global sisterhood that transcends borders. She advocated for weaponizing positive cultural and religious traditions to empower women, rather than relying solely on outrage.

While Steinem lived to see immense progress, she also witnessed fierce reversals. Misogyny has found new digital megaphones, and patriarchy has proven disturbingly inventive. Yet, the breakthroughs she helped script are indelible. The flame she lit continues to burn through laws, institutions, and a new generation of women who refuse to be secondary.

Did You Know?: In 1972, Steinem featured a multi-armed, multitasking depiction of the goddess Kali on the cover of Ms. magazine to symbolize the multifaceted power of women.

Q1: How did Gloria Steinem define feminism?
She defined it as the recognition of the equality and humanity of both women and men, making it a universal pursuit rather than a partisan one.

Q2: Was Indian feminism solely influenced by Western thought?
No. While figures like Steinem were influential, Indian feminism was rooted in the indigenous movements of the Global South and the leadership of women like Savitribai Phule.