YWCA USA Statement on the Legacy of Gloria Steinem

For decades, Gloria Steinem stood at the forefront of the movement for women's rights, helping transform public consciousness and expand opportunities for generations of women and girls. Her connection to the YWCA was both profound and enduring, rooted in a shared commitment to equity, justice, safety, and opportunity for all. Through keynote addresses, advocacy, and partnerships with local YWCA chapters across the country, she consistently championed the values that remain central to our mission: gender equity, economic empowerment, reproductive freedom, safe workplaces, and the elimination of violence against women.

Perhaps no statement better captures her belief in our organization than the words she shared at Portland's YWCA Inspire Luncheon in 2011:

"If I could choose one organization to run the world, it would be the YWCA."

Those words were more than a compliment. They were a powerful affirmation of the YWCA's enduring role in advancing justice, strengthening communities, and creating pathways to opportunity. Coming from one of the most influential feminist leaders in history, they remain both an honor and a call to action.

It is especially fitting that Smith College, Gloria Steinem's alma mater, is entrusted with preserving this history. Through the Sophia Smith Collection, Smith safeguards the papers and legacy of Gloria Steinem, the archives of the Ms. Foundation for Women, which she helped create, and historical records of the YWCA. Together, these collections document generations of leadership, advocacy, and collective action in the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice.

The future of feminism is stronger because of the path Gloria Steinem forged for all of us. Through her courage, vision, and unwavering determination, she widened the road for those who followed. She challenged systems of inequality, elevated overlooked voices, and inspired generations to believe that a more equitable world was not only possible, but achievable.

Yet beyond her historic accomplishments, those who knew her and worked alongside her will remember her personal qualities just as vividly.

She was generous.

She was humble.

She was gracious.

And she never lost faith in the power of ordinary people to create extraordinary change.

Gloria Steinem leaves a legacy that will continue to inspire leaders, advocates, and changemakers for generations to come. As we reflect on her remarkable life, we recommit ourselves to the work she championed and to the vision she advanced so passionately. We are all beneficiaries of her leadership. Because she helped illuminate the path forward, we are better prepared to continue the journey toward a more just, equitable, and inclusive world.

Margaret Mitchell
Chief Executive Officer
YWCA USA