“If any of us make it, we all will.”

Gloria Steinem, the pioneering journalist and activist who helped bring feminism into the American mainstream, died Sept. 2, 2026, at age 92. Her legacy lives on in the movements she strengthened, the generations she inspired and Ms. magazine, which she cofounded as a national platform for women’s voices.

Steinem had a gift for distilling big ideas into words that inspired people to think, act and believe change was possible. We’ve been lucky enough to work directly with her words through the archives of Ms. Here are 10 quotes that have stayed with us.

1994 - “I have always believed that one idealistic and caring person can start a change that grows to improve many lives.”
Open Letters from Gloria Steinem
Ms., Vol. 4, Iss. 6 (May 1, 1994)
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1996 - “Voting isn't the most we can do. But it is the least.”
Voting as Rebellion
Gloria Steinem and Pamela Green
Ms., Vol. 7, Iss. 2 (September 1, 1996), pp. 54-61
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1997 - “There are so many more magnets to draw you into the future. I hope to be with you, dreaming, fighting, planning, laughing, and transforming all the way. But ... if any of us make it, we all will.”
Revving Up for the Next 25 Years
Ms., Vol. 8, Iss. 2 (September 1, 1997), pp. 82-84
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2000 - “The miracle of channeling is the inner voice that won't be stilled.”
Whose Voice?
Ms., Vol. 10, Iss. 3 (April 1, 2000), pp. 91-92
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2001- “Democracy can't exist with racism or without feminism.”
Full Text Magazine
Ms., Vol. 11, Iss. 2 (February 1, 2001), pp. 94-95
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2002 - “The truth is that Ms.'s first goal has always been making women's lives better, not making money.”
Dear Reader: This Is the First Letter We Have Ever Written Together, a Symbol of a New Adventure That Begins With This Special Issue
Ms., Vol. 12, Iss. 2 (April 1, 2002), p. 1
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2007 - “Now, thanks to decades of feminist rebellion, the young women of today are much more likely to value their minds and hearts and talents. They not only have a somewhat longer life expectancy physically, but faith in a much longer life of their own making.”
Voices Carry: What Have Feminism and Ms. Magazine Meant to You?
Alice Walker, Whoopi Goldberg, Helen Haft, Alfre Woodard and Gloria Steinem
Ms., Vol. 17, Iss. 4 (October 1, 2007), pp. 36-41
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2012 - “You can't have a backlash without a frontlash.”
Halfway Into a Feminist Century
Ms., Vol. 22, Iss. 3 (October 1, 2012), pp. 50-51
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2014 - “Nothing is too small or too big to change consciousness.”
Our Revolution Has Just Begun
Ms., Vol. 24, Iss. 1 (January 1, 2014), pp. 26-31
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2017 - “If you take care of the tree closest to you, a forest will shelter us all.”
Roots in the Ground
Ms., Vol. 27, Iss. 3 (October 1, 2017), p. 38
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Gloria Steinem’s words and work continue to remind us that each of us can help create change — and that lasting progress is made together.

Read Ms. magazine’s powerful tribute.