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I Know This to Be True

I Know This to Be True: Gloria Steinem

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The I Know This to Be True series is a collection of extraordinary figures from diverse backgrounds answering the same questions, as well as sharing their compelling stories, guiding ideals, and insightful wisdom.
In this remarkable interview, feminist icon and social justice activist Gloria Steinem shares stories from her more than fifty years working as a tireless advocate and award-winning journalist.
Steinem looks back on the formative lessons of her life, including how her unconventional childhood shaped her worldview, why listening and empathy are the guiding principles in her work, and why laughter is the key to freedom.
• Gloria Steinem has devoted her life to challenging discrimination against women
• Steinem's words are a beacon for a new generation of social activists and a call to follow your convictions with courage and grace
• This landmark book series brims with messages of leadership, courage, compassion, and hope
Inspired by Nelson Mandela's legacy and created in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, I Know This to Be True is a global series of books created to spark a new generation of leaders.
This series offers encouragement and guidance to graduates, future leaders, and anyone hoping to make a positive impact on the world.
• Royalties from sales of the series support the free distribution of material from the series to the world's developing economy countries
• A highly giftable and lovely hardcover with vivid photographic portraits throughout
• Great for those who loved Letters of Note: An Eclectic Collection of Correspondence Deserving of a Wider Audience by Shaun Usher, Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela by Nelson Mandela, and My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem

84 pages, Hardcover

Published March 24, 2020

2 people are currently reading
165 people want to read

About the author

Gloria Steinem

117 books3,252 followers
Gloria Marie Steinem (born March 25, 1934) is an American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist who became nationally recognized as a leader of, and media spokeswoman for, the women's liberation movement in the late 1960s and 1970s. A prominent writer and key counterculture era political figure, Steinem has founded many organizations and projects and has been the recipient of many awards and honors. She was a columnist for New York magazine and co-founded Ms. magazine. In 1969, she published an article, " After Black Power, Women's Liberation", which, along with her early support of abortion rights, catapulted her to national fame as a feminist leader.

In 2005, Steinem worked alongside Jane Fonda and Robin Morgan to co-found the Women's Media Center, an organization that works to amplify the voices of women in the media through advocacy, media and leadership training, and the creation of original content. Steinem currently serves on the board of the organization. She continues to involve herself in politics and media affairs as a commentator, writer, lecturer, and organizer, campaigning for candidates and reforms and publishing books and articles.

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5 stars
44 (44%)
4 stars
30 (30%)
3 stars
20 (20%)
2 stars
3 (3%)
1 star
2 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Carrie Poppy.
305 reviews1,201 followers
January 29, 2022
Listen. I’ll read anything my girl Gloria writes. And this was pleasant to read! But it’s not a BOOK.
784 reviews4 followers
August 24, 2020
An inspirational 73 page book published by the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Having just watched the play, Gloria: A Life, which was amazing, this little book was an additional reminder of the women who have brought us so far in our fight for equality in our country. Gloria Steinem dedicated her life to giving women and their issues a voice.
Profile Image for Sarah McMane.
102 reviews8 followers
December 31, 2020
This is a brilliant little book of hope and empowerment. What a great read to start the new year. It’s very short, but it’s a distillation of some of the wisest observations of the incredible Gloria Steinem. So quotable! A great gift for anyone you want to encourage to pursue matters of social justice.
11 reviews
May 4, 2020
This is a 60-or-so page interview with Gloria Steinem. It’s great!
Profile Image for siege is tired.
126 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2023
a full 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars!


‘Movements are like rivers.
Dipping into them is never the same twice.’


Gloria Steinem is, as always, absolutely brilliant! (& remains a genius at coming up with a good turn of phrase!)

although it is worth mentioning as other reviews have; this is an interview transcript not a book. but, i went into it fully aware of this which is what helped me avoid this disappointment other readers seem to have experienced.

it being an interview and the way the interview was structured/performed (you can tell the questions where pre-written and that the interviewer wasn’t willing to veer of their script) does stop it from fully getting in and adding, added nuance to points brought up. which is probably what frustrates so many of the other readers of this. this didn’t bother me too much personally because it was expecting this to be pretty simplified due to its cover.


this felt like a bit of a recap of Gloria’s book ‘My Life on the Road’ (which you don’t have to have read to understand this, although it is a book more than worth your time, and a personal favourite book of mine), i enjoyed this factor, because i did greatly enjoy ‘My Life on the Road’ but nothing about this was super new to me.


still 5 stars for me though, for the reminder of a life changing & brilliant book and it being extremely quotable and immensely enjoyable as an interesting quick read. & i’m admittedly very biased toward Gloria Steinem, which i think is fair in MY review.

i would recommend this book to;
- this book/interview would be a very good way to introduce yourself/someone else to Gloria’s work.
- & people who are familiar with Steinem, but looking for a nice little read.


can’t wait to read more Steinem! (once i track more down!)
Profile Image for Sanjana.
141 reviews2 followers
January 29, 2022
This rating is for the format and style of this ‘book’. Honestly, what a colossal waste of paper. I feel like it’s one of those books that people buy so they can have it up on their bookshelves to feel better about themselves. I’m I glad I borrowed it from the library (because I haven’t read anything Steinem before) and didn’t actually spend money on this.
Profile Image for siege is tired.
126 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2023
a full 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars!


‘Movements are like rivers.
Dipping into them is never the same twice.’


Gloria Steinem is, as always, absolutely brilliant! (& remains a genius at coming up with a good turn of phrase!)

although it is worth mentioning as other reviews have; this is an interview transcript not a book. but, i went into it fully aware of this which is what helped me avoid this disappointment other readers seem to have experienced.

it being an interview and the way the interview was structured/performed (you can tell the questions where pre-written and that the interviewer wasn’t willing to veer of their script) does stop it from fully getting in and adding, added nuance to points brought up. which is probably what frustrates so many of the other readers of this. this didn’t bother me too much personally because it was expecting this to be pretty simplified due to its cover.


this felt like a bit of a recap of Gloria’s book ‘My Life on the Road’ (which you don’t have to have read to understand this, although it is a book more than worth your time, and a personal favourite book of mine), i enjoyed this factor, because i did greatly enjoy ‘My Life on the Road’ but nothing about this was super new to me.


still 5 stars for me though, for the reminder of a life changing & brilliant book and it being extremely quotable and immensely enjoyable as an interesting quick read. & i’m admittedly very biased toward Gloria Steinem, which i think is fair in MY review.

i would recommend this book to;
- this book/interview would be a very good way to introduce yourself/someone else to Gloria’s work.
- & people who are familiar with Steinem, but looking for a nice little read.


can’t wait to read more Steinem! (once i track more down!)
7 reviews
May 6, 2021
- women are empathy sick: the age old adage "treat others the way you would allow yourself to be treated" may be true for men. but perhaps a smarter adage for women would be to treat yourself the way you would treat others.
>> what does it mean to be empathy sick? blackwell defines empathy sick as a situation where one is more aware of the emotions of others than her own.

- tension between empathy and individuality - how do we accept the views of others while maintaining our own opinions, and being able to express ourselves? by listening. speak as much as you listen, and listen as much as you speak (50-50). keep an open mind, but always remember the rationale (interest) behind your position.

- the statement that women have empathy and compassion to bring to boards and committees as leaders: where does this come from? the underlying rationale is that women are raised in an environment which prizes the development of such characteristics. in comparison, most men are raised to value hierarchy/power. it's just a product of upraising. not a categorical classification; just the product of societal upbringing.
Profile Image for olivia.
64 reviews1 follower
September 7, 2021
great little pocket book/quick read. it includes a brief history of steinem's life and work which is nice and overall, the interview is personal, informative, and thought-provoking.
Profile Image for Kaitlynne.
87 reviews
April 19, 2023
I hadn't heard of Gloria Steinem before reading this book which is actually an interview. Her works is obviously profound in the area of Women's rights and feminism and it would have been better if the interview touched more on her amazing achievements.
Profile Image for Kemi looves 2 read.
502 reviews6 followers
October 19, 2024
There was not enough of Ms. Steinem but it provided a good summary. I One of my favourite quotes from the book: 'One of the simplest paths to deep change is for the less powerful to speak as much as they listen and for the more powerful to listen as much as they speak.'
Profile Image for Lara.
1,222 reviews5 followers
November 9, 2022
"...perhaps a smarter adage for women would be to treat yourself the way you would treat others."
Profile Image for Kayla El-Hage.
146 reviews
July 7, 2023
It’s not a book so much as an interview but not bad. Very fast read. Literally like an hour
Profile Image for Gabrielle Francisco-Bogert.
96 reviews9 followers
July 14, 2024
“Humans are not ranked; we are linked”

“Because only if each of us had a torch will there be enough light.”

a little repetitive at times, but a good primer for gloria steinem
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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