09/03/2026
Gloria Steinem stood at the forefront of the movement for women's rights, with a connection to YWCA USA that was both profound and enduring. In 2011 Gloria Steinem was the keynote speaker at the YWCA Greater Portland Inspire Hope Luncheon.
“If there was one group that I would trust to run the world, it definitely would be the YWCA.”
Those words were more than a compliment. Coming from one of the most influential feminist leaders in history, they remain both an honor, and a call to action.
Gloria consistently championed the values that remain central to the YWCA mission: gender equity, economic empowerment, reproductive freedom, safe workplaces, and the elimination of violence against women. The future of feminism is stronger because of the path Gloria Steinem forged for all of us. She challenged systems of inequality, elevated overlooked voices, and inspired generations to believe that a more equitable world was not only possible, but achievable.
Yet beyond her historic accomplishments, those who knew her and worked alongside her will remember her personal qualities just as vividly.
She was generous.
She was humble.
She was gracious.
