09/03/2026
Today we remember Gloria Steinem, one of the most influential voices in the women’s rights movement and a Toledo native.
Born in Toledo in 1934, Steinem spent part of her childhood living with her mother on the city’s east side. The University of Toledo was also part of her family’s story. Her parents, Leo and Ruth Steinem, met while they were students at the University, where they both worked on and later served as editors of the student newspaper, The Teaser.
Steinem would later make several visits to the University herself. In 1970, she came to campus with Dorothy Pitman to kick off that year’s Convocation Series, speaking about the women’s liberation movement. She returned in 1981 to speak about reproductive freedom and equality for women, and in 1993, she received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Studies from UToledo President James Horton.
Following the news of her passing, we are looking back at these photographs from Gloria Steinem’s visits to The University of Toledo and remembering the lasting impact of her life and work.
