Gloria Steinem spoke about feminism and campus activism to a sell-out crowd. The Connaissance division of the Social Planning and Events Committee welcomed Steinem to Zellerbach Auditorium last night to tell a sold-out audience of 900 people about her accomplishments and the motivations behind them. Focusing on the current election, marriage, children and the role of women in the labor force, Steinem explained the way in which feminism hopes to lead society away from a hierarchical structure based on patriarchy. If all goes well, each of you will leave here tonight with a new thought or idea. A feminist, according to Steinem, is a person who believes in the social and economic equality of men and women.
Feminism also coincides with anti-racist thought.
The first stage of resistance suggested that feminism was unnecessary and dead, while the second stage suggests that it used to be necessary but not anymore. But she emphasized that the more and more young people have embraced the movement in recent years. Steinem said that some students' reluctance to identify themselves as feminists only leads them to lose their self-respect. Turning to Penn, Steinem urged female students to join the feminist movement, stressing the importance of its role on campus and beyond. I know you will do so much better than my generation.