Gloria Steinem

March 25, 1934 – September 2, 2026

SPACE International Mourns the Passing of Gloria Steinem

We lost a visionary leader and one of our most passionate supporters. The Gloria Steinem Equality Fund to end Sex Trafficking, established in 2018 as a special initiative of the Front-Line Women’s’ Fund was built on Gloria’s core belief that prostitution is a foundational pillar of patriarchal oppression and gender inequality. She held the view that as long as society allows the bodies of women and girls to be bought and sold, true gender equality for women and girls would remain impossible because it reinforces the idea that women are commodities for male consumption. 

Also, simply put, her fund kept us going, allowing SPACE Intl. to continue as a survivor movement dedicated to profound systemic change. Many of us met her on her 84^th birthday at the Westglow Spa in 2018 in North Carolina. We gathered as survivors along with activists from around the globe to formulate strategies aimed at tackling one of the world’s most egregious human rights violations – prostitution and the trafficking of women and girls. Gloria understood prostitution as a symptom of deep structural inequality, a market fueled by male privilege and power, disproportionately impacting the bodies and lives of the most marginalized women and girls. 

We also celebrated her 90^th birthday where she chose to shine a spotlight on the Equality Fund that supported SPACE Intl. and other grassroots programs around the globe that worked to address the trafficking, sexual exploitation and prostitution of women and girls. Despite her status as a world-renowned icon, Gloria remained genuine and fiercely believed in survivor leadership. Even in her presence, there was no air of celebrity, only a profound welcoming warmth that empowered others to speak their truths. 

As a leader who famously championed organizing “from the bottom up” Gloria proved that real progress happens when everyday people choose to act, especially those most impacted. To truly protect her legacy, we must continue to fight against the situational factors and patriarchal systems that land the most vulnerable women and girls into the sex trade in every corner of the world. 

While we mourn her passing, her presence remains vibrant in every woman and girl who stands in her power and every activist fighting for justice and equality.