Following the news of feminist icon Gloria Steinem’s death at 92, New Yorkers spanning generations paid their respects outside her longtime Upper East Side home on Thursday.
Visitors, most of whom were women, described Steinem as “an example,” “a brave and amazing woman,” and “a guiding light.” Some laid flowers against the fence in front of the brownstone on 73rd Street, along with notes that read “Thank you Gloria” and “Hero to all women.” Others quietly reflected, pausing before the growing pile of bouquets for a few moments before moving on down the block.
Steinem died inside her home peacefully and “surrounded by some of the many who loved her,” according to an Instagram post on her own page. She was born in Ohio, but moved to New York City in her 20s to start her career as a writer. She first landed in the Upper East Side building as a renter in 1967, but eventually became the owner of its first three floors.
“ She has a great New York story, obviously, so we feel connected to her with that. But we really just feel connected to her because she was a woman, and she believed that we're all equal,” said Williamsburg resident Abigail Itka, 52, who dropped off a bouquet of orange and pink dahlias.
Steinem would go on to become one of the most visible figures of the women’s rights movement through her writing, speaking and advocacy. Among other achievements, in 1971 she founded Ms. Magazine, a feminist publication that covered subjects considered taboo at the time, such as abortion.
Lois Kauffman, 80, lives just blocks away from Steinem's home and stopped by to pay her respects on Thursday.
Lois Kauffman, 80, said she was a committed subscriber of the magazine. She lives just a couple of blocks away from Steinem’s home, and stopped by on Thursday to “be in her presence.”
“ Gloria Steinem was an important figure to women of my generation,” Kauffman said. “ I remember hearing her speak on a couple of occasions, and when her book came out, ‘Revolution From Within,’ I stood in line and had her autograph the book, which I still have today.”
Jewlene Bellamy, 42, works nearby and said she had only recently learned more about Steinem’s legacy and was moved to tears by the news of her death.
“ I was, I mean, of course, shocked. She's a great person. To me, more of a pioneer. She helped change the world, and for women everywhere,” she said.
In more recent years, Steinem hosted “Talking Circles” at her home, inviting hundreds of guests to gather and share ideas, a tradition she wanted to endure beyond her death, according to the Instagram post.
Rachel Rippey, 39, made her way to Steinem's Upper East Side home from Staten Island, dropping off sunflowers in front.
Rachel Rippey, 39, now lives in Staten Island but spent years on the Upper East Side, just blocks from Steinem. She made the trek back to her old neighborhood on Thursday, bringing a bouquet of sunflowers. Rippey, like several other women gathered outside Steinem’s home, reflected on the timing of her death during the current political climate.
“ I was really lucky to thank her myself. That's the only reason I knew she lived here 'cause I saw her going into her house a couple times,” Rippey said. “ I hope that I can stay inspired by her and carry the mantle, and that we all can remember everything she did and keep it going 'cause we're not there… I feel like we've gone backward in a lot of ways in recent years. I don't feel as protected as I once did as a woman.”
Around 3 p.m., there were about 10 bouquets outside Steinem’s home, and more women trickling onto the block with flowers.
