Photo by Gillian Laub for Glamour.
In a recent piece published by The Independent, psychoanalyst and author Susie Orbach reflects on the life, work, and enduring legacy of Gloria Steinem—a pivotal figure whose movement-building was defined not by rigid ideology, but by deep curiosity, active listening, and radical inclusion.
Susie shares personal accounts from her decades of interaction with Steinem, beginning in the early 1980s when she, Luise Eichenbaum, and Carol Bloom met with Steinem at Ms. magazine to discuss feminist therapy. While Steinem was initially hesitant, her return a decade later to address the Women’s Therapy Centre Institute highlighted what Susie considers her defining trait: an exceptional capacity to learn, adapt, and grow alongside the movement.
Rooted in the Civil Rights and Anti-Vietnam War movements, Steinem’s activism expanded social consciousness beyond patriarchy and profit, giving voice to marginalised groups ranging from mothers to farm workers. As Susie emphasises, in today's political climate, honouring Steinem's contribution means actively protecting and building upon the progressive legacy she helped establish.
