Steinem inspires students to become leaders

Photos by Lloyd    DeGrane

Feminist icon Gloria Steinem, who continues to inspire younger generations of women, was a guest speaker at the third annual Progressive Gala: Women in Washington held Saturday, May 3 on campus. More than 15 student organizations, including University of Chicago College Democrats and the Feminist Majority, and groups from DePaul and Northwestern universities, sponsored the event. Steinem kicked off the evening at the Gerald Ratner Athletics Center at a reception with students, followed by her speech and two panel discussions at the Smart Museum of Art. The panel discussion titled, “Breaking Barriers: Women of Color in Politics,” featured guest participants Rosa Clemente, Maria Teresa Petersen, Pamela Bozeman-Evans and Robyn Spencer, with Kimberly Goff-Crews, Vice President and Dean of Students in the University, serving as moderator. The Feminist Majority organized the second panel, “Reproductive Rights, Activism and Sex Education.”  Founder of the Progressive Gala Hollie Russon-Gilman said Steinem told the audience that everyone has an innate ability to be a leader, and that the key to leadership is for each person to follow his or her own passions and goals. “Gloria discussed the unity of progressive movements and how we progressives must work to transcend race, gender and sexual orientation,” said Russon-Gilman. “The gala is aimed to unite progressives in a new dynamic discourse that leads to further action. With Gloria speaking at our event, she enabled the Gala to be a true happening and meeting of individuals who typically may not come together. She embodied this energy, spirit and dream.”