Feminist icon and award-winning journalist Gloria Steinem, who spent her summers growing up in Michigan, died Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 92 years old.
Steinem is widely recognized among the most prominent leaders of the 20th century women's rights movement and has earned countless awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Her storied career included co-founding New York Magazine and Ms. Magazine, a feminist outlet, publishing numerous books, conducting speaking tours, and decades of tireless advocacy for women's rights, starting in the 1960s and 1970s.
Before she rose to global fame for her women's rights advocacy and compelling writing, Steinem grew up in a working class Toledo, Ohio, family, and spent her summers in rural Michigan, in Jackson
County's Clarklake.
Her father Leo Steinem, a traveling salesman, built and owned Ocean Beach Pier on Clark Lake from the 1920s to 1940s, a dance pavilion that hosted performances by prominent musicians of the time, including Guy Lombardo, Duke Ellington and others, the Brooklyn Area Historical Society says.
Gloria Steinem died in her New York City home on Sept. 2 with loved ones around her, a post on her Instagram profile announced on Thursday, Sept. 3. Her husband David Bale had preceded her in death in 2003.
"Yesterday, Gloria Steinem passed away peacefully at her home in New York City, surrounded by some of the many who loved her. Gloria’s near-century on earth were years well-lived, and she continued working for equality until the very end," the post began.
Here's what to know about the journalist and women's rights activist.
When did Gloria Steinem die?
Gloria Steinem died Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 92 years old in her New York City home with her loved ones around her, a Sept. 3 post to her Instagram account said.
"Gloria’s greatest gift was her ability to listen to others, to make others feel seen and heard. Her words, actions, and example gave people permission to be their truest selves. Gloria lived true to her independent spirit, always with curiosity and a great sense of humor," the post read, in part.
Who was Gloria Steinem?
Born Gloria Marie Steinem in Toledo, Ohio, near the Michigan-Ohio border, she was an award-winning journalist, iconic feminist and civil rights activist.
Her journalism career took off when she moved to New York City in 1960, featuring freelance work for outlets like Life, Esquire and Glamour, and in 1968, she co-founded New York Magazine, according to Smith College Libraries, her alma mater.
She then co-founded Ms. Magazine, a feminist publication, in 1971. Steinem authored numerous books throughout her career and continued doing public speaking engagements in recent years.
Steinem famously went undercover as a Playboy bunny in New York City for 11 days in 1963.The two-part story she wrote appeared in Show magazine.
Steinem's outspoken advocacy on women's rights, particularly reproductive rights and equality, earned her a leading role in the 1960s and 1970s women's rights movement. She remains widely considered among the most prominent 20th century feminist activists.
Among her countless honors was the Presidential Medal of Freedom, gifted by President Barack Obama in 2013, according to the National Archives.
Her husband David Bale preceded her in death in 2003.
Did Gloria Steinem grow up in Michigan?
While raised just south of Michigan in Toledo, Ohio, Steinem spent her childhood summers in Jackson County's Clarklake, where her father Leo Steinem owned Ocean Beach Pier, a lakefront dance pavilion, at Clark Lake, according to the Brooklyn Area Historical Society and an article by Eleanor B. Amico.
Located about 10 miles south of Jackson, the unincorporated community is a tranquil summer destination, recreation opportunities including swimming, fishing, sunbathing, a playground, picnic area, 7-mile trail, a boat club and yacht club.
On the lake's eastern shore, you'll find Clark Lake County Park, among Jackson County's oldest. Visitors can stay at lakefront accommodations and dine at local bars and eateries.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Gloria Steinem dies at 92. How feminist icon was tied to Michigan
