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Biography
Gloria Steinem: Ms. America
She founded a landmark magazine, spearheaded a controversial political movement, and even changed the language Americans use to describe women. She is Ms. Gloria Steinem, leader of the modern Women's Movement. In an intimate journey, BIOGRAPHY travels the road that led Steinem from a troubled and impoverished childhood to the forefront of feminism. Her closest friends and associates talk about the woman whose background continues to inform not only her own decisions, but those of women everywhere. From her troubled childhood to her founding of Ms. Magazine, through her recasting of the Movement for the nineties, this is the portrait of a powerhouse. Gloria Steinem: Ms. America would be useful for classes on Women's History, Women's Studies, American History, American Culture and Political Science. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.
Vocabulary
Discussion Questions
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There are many negative stereotypes used to describe feminists. Why do these stereotypes exist and how are they used to discredit feminism and feminists? How did Gloria Steinem transcend these negative stereotypes?
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Steinem's mother was a suffragette and enjoyed a career as a reporter, and later an editor. What influence did Steinem's mother's independence have on Steinem?
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Steinem's childhood, before her mother's illness, was freewheeling and unconventional. How did this shape Steinem's character?
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Gloria Steinem was, and still is, a physically beautiful woman. How did Steinem's beauty belie her sharp intellect? How did she use this to her, and the Women's Movement's advantage?
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The Woman's Movement of the 1960s and 1970s occurred during one of the most turbulent periods in American history. How did the turbulence of the times contribute to the Women's Movement and the feminist revolution?
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While woman today embrace all the freedoms the feminist movement fought for, many are afraid to call themselves feminists. Many woman will say "I'm not a feminist, but I believe in equal rights, equal pay, etc."Why are so many women reluctant to call themselves feminists?
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Steinem's magazine, Ms., and the title Ms. changed the way women were addressed. What was the reason for this change? How did the term Ms. change the perceptions of women?
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The Women's Movement of the 1960s and 1970s is often refereed to as the "second wave of feminism."When did the "first wave" occur? How would you compare the first and second waves of feminism?
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The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which is an amendment to guarantee women equal constitutional rights, failed to be ratified in the 1920s, and again in the 1980s. Why did this proposed amendment create so much controversy?
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Gloria Steinem, like thousands of other American women, was stricken with breast cancer. How does the threat of breast cancer influence the lives of American women? What efforts are being made to end the occurrence of this dreaded disease? How can women protect themselves from breast cancer?
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What freedoms do girls and women enjoy today because of Gloria Steinem and women like her?
Extended Activities
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Divide the class into two sections and debate the pros and cons of the Women's Movement. Also, debate the pros and cons of a new campaign for the Equal Rights Amendment.
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Create a poster for either the passage of the ERA or the defeat of the ERA.
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Research information about breast cancer. Using the information you find, create a poster that illustrates the steps women can take to protect themselves, and how we can make people more aware of the seriousness of breast cancer.
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Interview your mothers and/or grandmothers about their reactions toGloria Steinem and the Women's Movement. How did the movement change their lives? Did they agree with the movement? Do they still feel the same way about the movement as they did in the 1960s and 1970s, or have their feelings changed?
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