Ms. Gloria Steinem: A Life

by Winifred Conkling

Throughout the years, Gloria Steinem is perhaps the single-most iconic figure associated with women's rights, her name practically synonymous with the word "feminism."

Documenting everything from her boundary-pushing journalistic career to the foundation of Ms. magazine to being awarded the 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom, Winifred Conkling's Ms. Gloria Steinem: A Life is a meticulously researched YA biography that is sure to satisfy even the most voracious of aspiring glass-ceiling smashers.

Gloria Steinem was no stranger to injustice even from a young age.

Her mother, Ruth, having suffered a nervous breakdown at only 34, spent much of Gloria's childhood in and out of mental health facilities. And when Gloria was only 10 years old, her father divorced her mother and left for California, unable to bear the stress of caring for Ruth any longer.

Gloria never blamed her mother for being unable to hold down a job to support them both after that, but rather blamed society's intrinsic hostility toward women, and working women in particular. This was the spark that lit a fire in her that would burn for decades, and continues to burn brightly today.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Feminism, History, Memoir, Journalism, Adult

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2020

About the author

WINIFRED CONKLING studied journalism at Northwestern University and spent the next 25 years writing non-fiction for adult readers, including for Consumer Reports magazine and more than 30 books. As part of her transition to writing for young people, she is working toward her Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Sylvia & Aki is her first work for children.

Reviews

[Sophy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a brilliant foray into the life and times of Gloria Steinem. Winifred Conkling does a great job in providing a detailed arc of Steinem's story, without becoming too bogged down in minutiae.

I think Steinem's spirit and courage to take on the patriarchy is well represented here, and it's good to see Conkling include collaborations of Steinem's work/friendship/activism with women of colour and under representation. What is crazy is that the fight Steinem was fighting back in the 50's/60's/70's for women's rights, abortion rights, welfare and employment rights are coming right back into play now, especially in America with the Roe vs Wade overturning debacle.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read, learning all about Gloria's upbringing and childhood and her fight to gain independence from family life (from parents to near misses with young marriage).

Highly recommended for any feminist or supporter of equal rights. Steinem remains a critical and relevant voice in the fight for equality.

[Graciela Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great! I thought that Gloria's life story was inspiring and interesting. It really opened up my mind to the possibilities of feminism and gave me new ideas about who I am as a person and how I want people to treat me. The book opens up with Gloria's almost marriage. She was going to marry a man named Blair, but then when the time came to decide whether or not to do it, she said no, because she thought that marriage would take away her free will. The book then explains Gloria's childhood. She had a family that loved her very much. At first, things were fine for the family. Gloria's mother, Ruth, worked as a well-paid journalist and her father used investments to pay to build a resort. But then Ruth's father died, and the stock market crashed, causing the Great Depression. Then things basically fell apart. Ruth started battling mental illness, and Leo lost his resort and became a pawnbroker. Then her parents divorced, and Gloria was left to take care of her mentally ill mother alone. It was hard. Their homes were never really that great, and her mother was a handful, but she made it out alive and went to college at Smith. It was after she graduated that she would reject her almost-husband, Blair. To separate herself from him, she applied for a trip to India. Before she could go, she had to wait to get a visa in London, where she found out that she was pregnant (Blair was the father). After a very traumatic experience, she was able to get an abortion. Allow me to justify her actions: she didn't have the time or the money for a baby, and she was an American citizen about to have a child in London. She had no choice. After the abortion, she took her trip to India and learned how to be herself. She already was so different from everyone else there, and so it didn't matter how she acted, because no one knew what to expect from her. While in India, she also joined an activist group that worked for equal rights. She traveled with them for a while, helping them bring peace to India, but then had to leave due to a foot injury from walking too much. She went back to America and began her work as a journalist. She was a good journalist and writer and even went undercover as a Playboy Bunny. Soon after, she had her first feminist ideas. But her feminist ideas were different from most: she strived for equal rights for all women, not just white women. Soon, she co-funded the Ms. Magazine, which expressed her feminist ideas. The magazine received much criticism, but the magazine was popular and had a wide effect. Even though Gloria has stopped her work at Ms. she continues to fight for equal rights for all women. "We are in it for life, and for our lives," states Gloria.

[Desirae · Rating 4 out of 5]

After recently watching HBO's Ms. documentary, I found myself wanting to learn more about Gloria Steinem beyond the highlights of her public career. Winifred Conkling's Ms. Gloria Steinem: A Life proved to be an engaging and accessible introduction to one of the most fascinating figures in the women's liberation movement. Rather than portraying Steinem as an untouchable icon, Conkling presents her as a complex woman whose personal experiences shaped her lifelong commitment to equality and justice.

One of the most compelling sections of the book explores Steinem's childhood. Born in 1934, she experienced a highly unconventional upbringing as her family traveled constantly while her father pursued various business ventures. Stability was rare, but the greatest challenge came from her mother, Ruth, whose severe mental illness profoundly affected the family. After her parents separated, young Gloria often found herself caring for her mother instead of being cared for herself. Conkling describes how Ruth's depression and emotional struggles required Gloria to mature quickly, forcing her into a caregiving role at an early age.

These experiences help explain many aspects of Steinem's later life. Watching her mother's intelligence and ambitions disappear beneath untreated mental illness—and in a society that offered women few opportunities outside marriage—gave Steinem firsthand insight into how women could become trapped by circumstances beyond their control. Conkling carefully avoids reducing Steinem's activism to a single childhood event, but she convincingly demonstrates that these formative years cultivated both her empathy and her determination to challenge systems that limited women's autonomy.

The book follows Steinem through her education, early journalism career, and eventual emergence as one of the leading voices of second-wave feminism. Conkling also highlights Steinem's willingness to challenge expectations, including her famous undercover investigation working as a Playboy Bunny, which exposed the exploitation women endured in the workplace. Rather than pursuing celebrity for its own sake, Steinem consistently used her platform to amplify broader issues affecting women across the United States.

Perhaps the most emotionally powerful portion of the biography centers on abortion. Before abortion became legal nationwide, Steinem became pregnant while living abroad in the 1950s. She obtained a safe abortion in London, made possible by a compassionate physician who treated her with dignity rather than judgment. For years she spoke publicly about the experience, emphasizing that the procedure allowed her to continue pursuing the life she envisioned for herself. She often expressed gratitude for the doctor who told her to live her life well, words that clearly stayed with her.

Conkling places Steinem's personal story within the broader fight for reproductive rights. When the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade in 1973, the ruling recognized a constitutional right to abortion and represented a monumental victory for reproductive freedom. For Steinem and countless other activists, Roe was not merely a legal decision but a recognition that women should have the authority to make deeply personal decisions about their own bodies and futures. Her advocacy consistently framed reproductive choice as inseparable from women's equality in education, employment, and public life.

Reading this biography today inevitably invites reflection on the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. While Conkling's biography predates Dobbs, Steinem's life story feels newly relevant in light of the changing legal landscape. Her experiences remind readers that access to abortion was not always guaranteed and that the rights many people assumed were settled can be reversed. Whether one agrees with Steinem's position or not, her story underscores why reproductive rights have remained one of the most enduring and passionately debated issues in American politics.

What I appreciated most about Conkling's writing is its accessibility. The biography introduces major historical events without overwhelming the reader, making it an excellent starting point for anyone who wants to understand both Gloria Steinem and the broader women's rights movement. It balances historical context with personal anecdotes, allowing Steinem's humanity to shine through alongside her extraordinary accomplishments.

Having watched HBO's Ms. documentary, I found this book to be a perfect companion piece. The documentary sparked my curiosity, but Conkling's biography provided the deeper background that helped me understand how Steinem became such an influential leader. Learning about her difficult childhood, her mother's mental illness, her experiences as a journalist, and her deeply personal advocacy for reproductive rights made her feel far more relatable than the public figure I had previously known.

Ultimately, Ms. Gloria Steinem: A Life is more than a biography of a feminist leader. It is the story of resilience, empathy, and the belief that social change begins with individuals willing to challenge injustice. For readers inspired by the Ms. documentary—or anyone interested in American history, women's rights, or influential social movements—this book offers an informative and thought-provoking introduction to an extraordinary life.

[Virginiadare · Rating 2 out of 5]

i got the chance to read this bc of good reads giveaways. i liked the book some chapter were extremely interesting, the writing was simple and straight to the point which i appreciated.

[Cavak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet. Looks and feels nice. What a breeze to read! And perfect timing, right before Mrs. America airs!

Ms. Gloria Steinem touches base with many readers within the intended age bracket. Formulation of feminism and what Ms. meant to their grandmother's/mother's generation. Another window into what Americans society's norms were for sex and women's rights only eighty years ago. Strays away from the numbing statistics by favoring the human element, citing Steinem's quotes and writings whenever relevant.

Quick look is a quick look.

Yet for those looking to find guidance and depth, they might want to consult the original books or articles listed in the bibliography. Passages may have followed the original sources too much, at times citing Gloria for each paragraph. Final chapters turn into a checklist of achievements. Gloria: A Life gets a minor mention at best. Steinem's marriage to Bale almost reads like her Wikipedia article entry on the matter. Not sure what to think of that. A coincidence?

At the end, the timeline and glossary sections are wonderful additions. It helps to put everything into perspective. Another neat study guide to refer to. Love those photos too.

Thank you, Conkling, for introducing me to a figure I wouldn't have ever known before. What a discovery it turned out to be.

I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

[Lori]

I don't read a lot of YA nonfiction but I recieved this for review so I want to at least give it a try. I haven't read any other work by this author so I'm not sure I'm the best person to judge this book but I'm not a professional reviewer either so I'll share my opinion and you can take it as you want.

For me, the writing in this book was just too basic and not what I want when reading nonfiction. I want the facts but I also want to learn about the time we're reading about and the setting and how those things have affected the person the book is about. I want descriptions and emotions and complex sentences. I felt the writing was geared more towards MG readers except that the content discussed sex and abortion, which rules out that age group. So I was slightly confused about who exactly the audience for this book is. For me, it was just too simple, did not explore enough of the complex issues Steinem was dealing with while growing up and didn't really make clear (up to the point that I read, at least) how truly different the world was back when she set out on her own and how unique her views were. And overall, I was just bored. It felt like reading a Wikipedia page.

Again, I'm not the target audience nor do I have much experience with YA nonfiction. I was just hoping for a deeper exploration into Steinem's life and the choices she made.

[Olivermagnus · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in an introduction and overview of Gloria Steinem's life and major contributions this might just what you're looking for. If you are looking for an in depth study of her life as an activist, this might be too basic. I thought it was perfect without getting bogged down in endless footnotes.

I was 17 in 1971 when she co-founded Ms Magazine, which was groundbreaking. I still remember the cover! I went on to join the Air Force in 1972, where women were being filtered into careers that had been held by men for decades. The pushback was unbelievable and I witnessed for myself just how difficult it would be for women to fully integrate into the workforce.

Gloria was a pivotal leader in a movement that improved lives for women and was a poster child for feminism. She was instrumental in making historic changes that affected women and I definitely admire her dedication, vision and her contributions over the years.

I decided to read this when I saw it was written by Winifred Conkling. I read Votes for Women!: American Suffragists and the Battle for the Ballot last year and found her research and writing was impeccable.

At the end of the book, the timeline and glossary sections put everything into perspective. I thought it was a great opportunity to see how far women have come and how much work is still left.

[Bert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome. Reading about Gloria Steinem makes me want to be a better person. This book looks at her life, her life’s work and her legacy. It has a chapter dedicated to a lot of landmark moments not just in Gloria’s life but also landmark moments in the women’s movement.

I do wish the end of the book weren’t so brushed over, it seemed as though it just crammed so much into the last few chapters, I understand that Gloria hasn’t been quite as active recently but her golden years deserved a bit more coverage. Overall though, it’s excellent, I’d recommend it to anyone just discovering Gloria and all that she has contributed to the world.

[Leila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic intro into the life and times of Gloria Steinem. I loved Winifred Conkling's writing; she does a fantastic job providing a detailed timeline of Steinem's story without bogging down the reader with too much detail. Learning about Steinem's upbringing and childhood helped to see how she became the woman she is.

It was a highly enjoyable quick read that I would recommend to anyone wanting to learn about Steinem. In my opinion, it makes a great starting point for further research into both Steinem and feminism and the fight for equality.

[Mandie Pottery · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting bio of Ms. Steinem that I've been wanting to read for some time. I knew of many things Gloria was involved in, but found it interesting to learn about her family, upbringing, the evolution of Ms. magazine, and some of her less publicized positions of involvement in various causes. Loved it!

[Kimberly Yavorski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fascinating story of one of the leaders of the women's movement, this book shows the person behind the image. Those who know her only as a spokesperson will be impressed by her warmth and generosity as well as her intelligence and persistence. More than a biography, the book also includes lessons in history and politics, covering not only feminism but also civil rights and social justice.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew that Gloria Steinem had infiltrated a Playboy Club to write an article and that she was a founder of Ms. Magazine, but that was about it. I learned a lot about her young life that set her on the path of fighting for women's rights as well as the women's right's movement. When Gloria was only ten years old, her father divorced her mother and moved away, leaving her to take care of her mother who suffered from mental health issues. The way her mother was treated during this time while trying to work, raise her daughter and survive while in and out of mental health facilities made young Gloria angry and set the stage for her future. I am in awe at everything she did to support women and fight for women's rights. This is a YA nonfiction book, so is written more as narrative nonfiction. We meet many other people involved in the feminism period, and Gloria's relationship to them. There are various quotes from Gloria, mention of her books, her accomplishments and awards. There is a timeline, short descriptions of other people mentioned in the book and recommendations for further reading. An interesting biography.

[Eclecticbookreviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have heard of Ms Steinem and obviously her books have forever been in my to be read listing. However, it was this book by Conkling that caught my attention. The cover features a beautiful picture of Ms Steinem and I decided 2022 was the year to learn all about this prolific writer.

This book follows Ms Steinem's chaotic childhood and adventurous adulthood. It goes into details on the American feminist movement and the negotiation of th different ideals within the movement. Using interviews and Steinem's written articles Conkling identifies when Steinem realizes exactly who she was. Steinem is a feminist. When she realized what was behind her personal drive, life did not get easier in fact it got harder.

This book had great pacing and wonderful pictures to keep readers engaged and interested. I loved reading about the persons who featured clearly in American history and the women's movement. I have been persuaded to read more on all the names mentioned and I definitely will be reading a lot more from Conkling and Steinem.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any topic around women will be in capable hands when Conkling writes about it. Not only are her choice in topics fascinating and useful information but her writing style is frank and accessible which envelops a reader in the story. This one is similar to that. Steinem is outside my wheelhouse in terms of time period while I know her name, I didn't know too much else.

Conkling shares a full life of Steinem from seminal moments like her abortion in London and choosing not to marry to spending time in India and running Ms. magazine. She was kind of everywhere and this is evident. She had drive and a focus. She made news. She was in the news. And this was her public life while Conkling shares the personal details as well including her mother Ruth's mental health and her dad's absence but her fondness for him as a traveling salesman. Readers who want lives of advocacy to understand whether to help them shape their own views or have examples of those that were part of the conversation, this would definitely be one to pick up.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It is truly amazing how long we can go on accepting myths that oppose our own lives, assuming instead that we are the odd exceptions.”
“Steinem developed what she called the women’s version of the golden rule: The need to treat ourselves as well as
we treat others.’”

This book shared Gloria Steinem’s life in a simple and inspiring way. The writing was extremely easy to follow - I prefer “show not tell” writing and this was not that - but it expanded into deep and important topics. Yay for feminism. ☮️🕊

[Tory · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Conkling provides a look at many interesting details of Gloria Steinem's life, including source notes, a bibliography, a list of 'who's who' in Steinem's life, and timelines of Steinem's life and the four waves of American feminism. The chapters are short, straight forward, and easy to read, providing a summary of the significant effect that Steinem has had on the feminist movement. Although I enjoyed the book, I sometimes wanted more details and depth about the events covered by the author.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up thinking, I'm not a feminist. Ms. Steinem had the same belief. And over time, she recognized that although she considered herself a humanist, she realized that women, particularly black woman, did not have the same opportunities as white men. Early in life she chose not to marry. When she did marry late in life and was asked, she replied that she had chosen not to marry into an unequal union.

Amazing woman. She faced family problems. Her defense of gay women made her enemies in the feminist movement.

Worth a read.

[Forever Young Adult]

Graded By: Brian
Cover Story: Biography
Drinking Buddy: Can You Buy Me a Drink?
MPAA Rating: PG (adult situations)
Talky Talk: The More Things Change
Bonus Factors: Feminism, Abortion
Bromance Status: Does it Have to Be Gendered?

Read the full book report here.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Gloria Steinem recently died I realized I really didn’t know that much about her. This book helped give me some insight into this amazing trailblazer. I take so many freedoms I have as a woman for granted. It’s only due to the many women like Gloria that I have the freedoms I enjoy today. I hope before she passed she knew her magnitude. I enjoyed the book.

[Lisa Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to this book, I’m glad to have had chance to learn about Steinem’s life, beliefs, and struggles.
Accessible and readable.
I wonder how much background about feminism and/or Steinem a young person needs to pickup and engage with this book.

[Donatas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pirma išsamesnė pažintis su feminizmo ikona Gloria Steinem. Patraukliai surašyta, konkreti, nuotraukomis iliustruota, į trumpus skyrelius suskirstyta biografija apie Steinem asmeninį gyvenimą ir visuomeninę veiklą. Vietomis pralekiama paviršiumi, nors norėtųsi giliau. Išskirtinė asmenybė, kurios veidas ir vardas žinomas plačiai, bet darbai ir gyvenimo kelias - gerokai mažiau.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top notch! An inspirational book that is very much needed! Highly recommend!

[Kristinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mjög fín bók um magnaða konu. Mjög fróðleg og inspirerandi. Skrifuð af miklum aðdáanda greinilega, en aðdáunin er bara skemmtilegt element.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written, accessible, interesting.

[Richard Kirkner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A worthwhile read of an influential and important journalist. And a very unconventional life. Wish the author would've interviewed more people who knew her.

[Anna Kefalas · Rating 5 out of 5]

"when unique voices are united in a common cause, they make history." - gloria steinem

[Riyam Sabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for raising your voice and paving the way for all women around the world

[Riley Lancaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned quite a lot from this book. I felt impowered. Made me want to become the biggest feminist in the world. I love gloria and all her work. Winifred Conkling did a great job telling her story

[Tammy Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should probably read something Steinem wrote herself and for adults, but this was very informative.

[Gina Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An OK biography. Definitely written from a favorable lens. Not that I want salacious content but this paints a rosy picture.