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 * __Gloria Steinem__**

Gloria Steinem is a journalist and women's rights activist who sought out to make laws in society that fit the people, thereby not forcing the people, naming women, to conform to the laws of society. Steinem spoke up for the average and above average women, constantly fighting for a more equal view in the eyes of the nation.
 * Steinem's Stance**

Steinem's life-long quest for equality can be dated back to her family tree. Her father was an antique dealer; her mother was a newspaperwoman; and her grandmother was a suffragette. Therefore, it is no surprise that Gloria stumbled into her line of work. Growing up, Steinem and her family traveled the country in a trailer in order for her father to sell antiques in California and Florida. However, after her parents' divorce, Steinem and her mother lived in poverty until she moved in with her sister in Washington D.C. After graduating from Smith College, Steinem was offered a fellowship in India. Steinem's experiences in India made her more aware of worldwide suffering. After her stay, she concluded that many people in the US take their prosperity, however limited it may be, for granted while millions of people around the world don't have even the slightest percent of what Americans have. Steinem returned to America with a determined attitude to fight against social injustices.
 * Purpose Behind the Movement**

Throughout her life, Steinem worked as a writer and journalist. She is the co-founder of the first national women's magazine, Ms Magazine, and she wrote many exposing articles on the troubling lives of women. One of her most famous investigations was a behind the scenes look at the life of a Playboy bunny. In order to accurately depict this occupation, Steinem went undercover by becoming a Playboy bunny. She exposed the organization's low pay of these workers and also conducted an interview with Hugh Hefner, where she spoke to him about women's rights, consumerism, and the "Playboy Philosophy." Currently, Steinem still lives to work for her favorite cause of fighting for the rights of women around the world. She also plays a vital role in informing female voters of the various sides of candidates in crucial elections.
 * Occupation and Background**

Gloria Steinem works for every right that could possibly better the lives of women in society and in the workplace. Some of the issues she tackles are abortion, civil rights, women's roles in politics, and gender discrimination. In her battle for abortions, Steinem fights to keep this issue legal after hearing the stories of women performing illegal abortions because the law forced them to this desperate and dangerous point. In the realm of civil rights, Steinem speaks out against racial injustices and she stood for peace in the Vietnam War. Steinem constantly encourages women to actively participate in politics and frequently exercise their right to vote in any given election. Steinem played an especially vital role in the Election of 1972 and she continues to encourage women to vote to this day. Steinem wants to add to this battle by not only getting women to vote, but to involve them more in politics. She believes taht women should have a place in the political setting and challenged the seating of an all white male board in the Democratic Party Convention of 1971 held in Miami, Florida. Steinem also believes that women are seen as second-rate citizens. Her stance states that women are never immediately seen as leaders in this nation because of American gender discrimination.
 * Arguments**

Steinem worked with many famous feminists of the time in order to collectively achieve their goals. These allies include Bella Abzug, Shirley Chisholm, and Betty Friedan. Steinem collaborated with these women to form the National Women's Political Caucus. In the political realm, Steinem was fortunate enough to work with many political greats: Norman Mailer, John Lindsay, Eugene McCarthy, Robert Kennedy, George McGovern, and Cesar Chavez. She fought with these reformers in their goals and got a friendly and helpful reception from them when fighting for her stances.
 * Friends**

There weren't many specific opposers to Gloria Steinem's campaign for women's rights; her foes form more of a body of people. Many Americans didn't think that women belonged in the workplace or were capable of leading a group. They believe that women should only fulfill their domestic goals in life remain under the strict ownership of their male superiors. Steinem vows to fight these beliefs for the rest of her life.
 * Foes**

"Gale - Free Resources - Women's History - Biographies - Gloria Steinem." //Gale - Home//. Web. 21 Dec. 2009. . Steinem, Gloria. "Women Are Never Front-Runners." //The New York Times//. 8 Jan. 2008. Web. 21 Dec. 2009. . "Women of the Hall." //National Women's Hall of Fame//. Web. 21 Dec. 2009. <[]>.
 * Works Cited**