Economist Claudia Goldin on Gloria Steinem's Role in Feminism

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, November 1, 2026

Harvard economist Claudia Goldin credited Gloria Steinem with reshaping feminism in the 1970s by promoting a more inclusive image that embraced both equality and traditional roles, notably through the influence of Ms. magazine and the popularization of the title "Ms." Goldin highlighted that Steinem's approach helped unify a divided movement and laid groundwork for ongoing gender equality efforts, even as contemporary socio-economic challenges fuel backlash against these advances.

Claudia Goldin, the 2023 Nobel Prize laureate in Economic Sciences and a professor at Harvard University, reflected on Gloria Steinem’s impact on the feminist movement during the 1970s, highlighting Steinem’s role as a unifying figure amid growing divisions within the movement. Goldin, an author of several works on women in the US economy, noted that Steinem helped reshape public perceptions of feminism at a time when the movement faced significant challenges, including the eventual failure of the Equal Rights Amendment.

According to Goldin, Steinem provided feminism with a more approachable and inclusive identity, countering the stereotype of feminists as radical or antagonistic toward men and motherhood. “Feminism” had come to be seen by some as a label for women who opposed traditional roles, but Steinem advocated for equality without alienating those who chose to embrace motherhood or less confrontational approaches.

Steinem’s co-founding of Ms. magazine, Goldin emphasized, was instrumental in advancing women’s independence, particularly in relation to name retention after marriage. The publication popularized “Ms.” as a title that allowed women to maintain their identities professionally and personally, a significant development as more women pursued higher education and professional careers before marrying. Goldin pointed out that mainstream media outlets, such as The New York Times, were slow to adopt “Ms.,” illustrating ongoing resistance to change; the Times did not officially embrace the term until 1986.

Goldin also addressed current social dynamics, arguing that challenges faced by men without college degrees—including stagnant wages and declining employment rates—contribute to contemporary backlash movements like MAGA. She suggested that some men attribute their economic struggles to advances made by women, framing an ongoing societal tension. In contrast, Steinem’s definition of feminism, Goldin underscored, is fundamentally about individual equality regardless of gender or age.

Reflecting on the progress of women’s rights, Goldin expressed optimism grounded in historical gains in the workplace, education, and reproductive freedoms. She cautioned against a narrow focus on present difficulties without recognizing the extensive foundation already established. For Goldin, the central question remains how to continue advancing equality in the years to come.

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