Issue 2897 -September 8, 2026
“This is what 50 looks like,” Gloria Steinem said to raucous cheers from the several hundred mostly women gathered at a luncheon event in Phoenix 42 years ago.
That was the first time I saw the woman who, for many, symbolized American feminism for over six decades. Her death at age 92 has filled social media feeds with outpourings of gratitude along with photos of people with her sharing how she touched their lives.
Her joy in being exactly who she was captured me that day.
In the era of “fake news,” the power of the media to shape our understanding of reality is undeniable. Sexist news coverage is nothing new for women, but in an election year, it’s crucial we remain vigilant and outspoken. In this episode, Gloria urges us to be conscious, careful, and critical about women’s representation in the media and gives us concrete tips for how to recognize and leverage our own power to change the narrative.
Sometimes your heroes are small and the lessons of their legacy unimaginably enormous.
Margaret Atwood, 86, iconic author and truthteller, told a grateful audience at Take The Lead’s Power Up Conference 2026 on Women’s Equality Day recently in Washington, D.C., that she has always used the tools at her disposal to demonstrate power and utility—including the truth.
Growing up spring, summer and fall in the backwoods of remote, northern Quebec, with her parents, a brother and sister, Atwood said she did not attend school until she was 12.
“I’ve got three chainsaws—big, medium size and a circular saw. You learn to use tools and you learn that girls can really do just about anything,” she said in an onstage conversation with Gloria Feldt, co-founder and president of Take The Lead.