Reese Witherspoon and Barbra Streisand lead celebrity tributes to feminist ‘warrior’ Gloria Steinem after her death at 92
Reese Witherspoon and Barbra Streisand were among the stars sharing tributes to Gloria Steinem following news of her passing.
The feminist icon and women’s rights activist died at the age of 92 on Wednesday.
After the news broke on Thursday morning, a string of famous names remembered Steinem and her influence and legacy.
Witherspoon posted a throwback photo of herself and Steinem posing with their arms around each other in the Oval Office of the White House.
‘Gloria Steinem changed how women saw themselves and what was possible…I was one of them,’ the actress and producer shared.
‘When I was deciding whether to do Legally Blonde, I watched a documentary where Gloria spoke about the importance of seeing an underestimated woman become the hero of her own story,’ she continued. ‘Her words changed how I saw Elle Woods and helped me say yes.’
After the news broke on Thursday morning that feminist and activist Gloria Steinem had died at 92, a string of famous names paid tribute to her and her legacy. Above, in 2005
Reese Witherspoon shared a throwback photo of herself and Steinem posing with their arms around each other in the Oval Office of the White House
The acress and producer called Steinem a ‘warrior for change’ and explained the influence she had had on her life
‘Years later, I got to sit beside Gloria at an event, and tell her how much she inspired me,’ Witherspoon wrote.
‘Gloria was a warrior for change. She wanted equality and freedom for ALL women. She dedicated her whole life to advocating for our fundamental rights,’ she added.
‘Thank you, Gloria, for your courage, your commitment and everything you made possible for all women. What a legacy,’ she wrote before concluding her moving tribute with a red heart emoji.
In a touching tribute, Streisand posted a black-and-white, throwback photo of herself with Steinem along with a lengthy, heartfelt message.
‘From the first moment I met Gloria in the 1970s, I was deeply impressed by her,’ the superstar singer and actress, 84, began.
‘She stood for everything I believed in: equality for women in the workplace, a woman’s right to choose, greater political representation for women, and a thoughtful, determined response to every form of gender-based discrimination,’ she continued.
‘She gave voice to these issues with fierce intelligence and steely determination, but also with wit, empathy, and humility.’
In a touching tribute, Streisand posted a black-and-white, throwback photo of herself with Steinem along with a lengthy, heartfelt message
‘What made her so extraordinary was not only the strength of her convictions, but the humanity and grace with which she expressed them,’ she wrote before sharing a meaningful quote from her friend.
‘Gloria once said, “When unique voices are united in a common cause, they make history.” Her voice changed history, but her greatest legacy may be the countless voices she helped others find—and gave the courage to use,’ Streisand wrote as she concluded her tribute.
Pedro Pascal, 51, also paid tribute, sharing: ‘Gloria has always been one of the greatest names. What a cool hang is happening in the sky. Look after us. We need you #GloriaSteinem #WeShallOvercome.’
Julianne Moore, who portrayed Steinem in the 2020 biopic The Glorias, shared a group photo from the set of the film.
‘We were so lucky. The time I spent studying Gloria Steinem in order to play her was one of the most edifying of my life,’ Moore explained.
‘Everything I watched, everything I read, everything I observed about her gave me a template for how I wanted to behave.’
Pedro Pascal , 51, also paid tribute, sharing: ‘Gloria has always been one of the greatest names’
Julianne Moore, who portrayed Steinem in the 2020 biopic The Glorias, shared a group photo from the set of the film
‘Her honesty, her tolerance, her patience, and her insistence on humanism and inclusion as she moved through the world offers us all a moral roadmap. Thank you for all you gave us, Gloria.’
Jessica Alba posted a carousel of photos and videos, which included several of her and Steinem at events together.
‘What an honor to spend time and share space w @gloriasteinem,’ the actress and entrepreneur, 45, wrote.
She praised the activist as ‘a true pioneer on multiple fronts.’
‘Her courage to stand for equity and equality despite the adversity and bumps along the way,’ Alba said. ‘The shoulders she generously offered for us to stand on were tenacious and relentless.
‘Let us all walk through our life with that will to pursue dreams of fairness and justice while leaning into the beauty of joy, compassion, grace and connection, the beauty of what it means to live a life well lived.’
Jessica Alba posted a carousel of photos and videos, which included several of her and Steinem at events together
She praised the activist as ‘a true pioneer on multiple fronts,’ adding: ‘The shoulders she generously offered for us to stand on were tenacious and relentless.
Paris Hilton also shared a gushing tribute for Steinem and shared she was ‘heartbroken’ to learn of her death.
She described the feminist icon as ‘a true trailblazer who spent her life fighting for women to have a voice, equality and the freedom to be who they are.’
‘Her impact will live on forever,’ the hotel heiress added.
Madonna also took to her Instagram Story to share a throwback photo of her and Steinem posing together many years ago.
‘Thank you Gloria Steinem,’ the pop star wrote over the sweet snapshot. ‘The O.G. Baddie!
‘You fought many battles and you opened many doors for me. For Us. Respect,’ she wrote alongside a red heart emoji.
Paris Hilton shared a gushing tribute to Steinem calling her a ‘true trailblazer’
Madonna also praised Steinem and said she ‘opened many doors for me’ and ‘for us’
Actress Kerry Washington praised Steinem for ‘changing the way generatios of women understood their own power’
Lena Dunhman also shared a lengthy tribute via her Instagram, writing, ‘You worked so hard for us. You gave so much,’ before adding, I love you Gloria. We all do’
Actress Kerry Washington also shared a heartbreaking tribute, remembering Steinem and the impact she has had on so many people in her life.
‘Gloria Steinem changed the way generations of women understood their own power,’ Washington wrote. ‘And then spent decades making sure more of us could claim it. Her rest is earned. Rest in peace.’
Lena Dunhman also shared a lengthy tribute via her Instagram.
‘It will never cease to amaze me that I had the chance to know you. But- despite your towering stature, your thousands of obligations, the urgency of your mission- you gave so many women the chance to know you. You weren’t just generous with your life force, your vision or your intellect: you were generous with your time, your laughter and even your jewelry (like the time I admired your silver vulva ring and you plucked it off your hand and placed it on mine),’ she wrote.
‘Sitting on your deep sofa, I looked around and thought “this is what a woman should be, and this is how a woman should live.” A room of one’s own, that expressed your vision for what the world should look like, a record of a life in which you took the wheel and never let go.’
She went on: ‘You let me wander in as a lost twenty something, determined that things should change and unsure how or if they could, and you advised me on everything from men (can be fun, aren’t required) to activism (it’s a marathon, not a race.)’
‘A few months ago, you welcomed a group of us into your home. The room took on a hush when you spoke, but you knew the effect you had and so you doled out jokes with ease, as if drinking mocktails next to you was the most natural thing in the world. As the party was winding down, you retreated to your bedroom, and when I peaked through the door to wave goodbye you ushered me in.’
‘You said you were going to enjoy your favorite indulgence, watching Call The Midwife. Because even when you wanted to chill, you turned on a show about a a group of women whose vocation is to help other women to survive.’
Dunhman wrapped up her caption, writing, ‘You worked so hard for us. You gave so much. And your memory will continue to do overtime to remind us what is possible when we are, as the bracelet you once gave me said, “linked not ranked.” I love you Gloria. We all do.’
Steinem died peacefully at her home in New York City surrounded by ‘some of the many that loved her,’ according to her and her foundation’s social media pages.
In 1963, she rose to fame after working undercover as a Playboy bunny for 11 days. Her two-part groundbreaking expose, A Bunny’s Tale, detailed the poor pay and sexist treatment that Playboy bunnies, originally waitstaff, endured.
Much of her life as an advocate was spent on the road, speaking at college campuses and community centers, at rallies and marches, with her trademark streaked hair parted down the middle and large aviator glasses adding to her recognizable presence.
Steinem, pictured in 2023, died peacefully at her home in New York City surrounded by ‘some of the many that loved her,’ according to her foundation’s social media pages.
In 1963, she rose to fame after working undercover as a Playboy bunny for 11 days. Her two-part groundbreaking expose, A Bunny’s Tale, detailed the poor pay and sexist treatment that Playboy bunnies, originally waitstaff, endured
Much of her life as an advocate was spent on the road, speaking at college campuses and community centers, at rallies and marches, with her trademark streaked hair parted down the middle and large aviator glasses adding to her recognizable presence. Above, in 1972
How has Gloria Steinem’s fight for women’s rights shaped society and your own life?
‘Gloria’s near-century on earth were years well-lived, and she continued working for equality until the very end,’ the statement continued.
‘Gloria’s greatest gift was her ability to listen to others, to make others feel seen and heard. Her words, actions and example gave people permission to be their truest selves.
‘Gloria lived true to her independent spirit, always with curiosity and a great sense of humor.’
‘Gloria loved the tradition of lighting signal fires on hills to light the way to the other side of the mountain. Lighting your own candle for Gloria makes you part of this global and celestial community circle.
‘In lieu of flowers, Gloria has asked that those wishing to honor her with a gift, may make a donation to Gloria’s Foundation.’