Gloria Steinem, a central figure in the feminist movement for more than five decades, passed away at age 92 on Wednesday. Her activism was deeply rooted in the fight for reproductive rights, a cause that helped define second-wave feminism in the late 1960s. Steinem’s advocacy highlighted the belief that true gender equality depended on women’s ability to control if and when they have children—a principle that shaped the movement’s broad social and cultural impact.

The feminist push for reproductive freedom led to significant changes in American society, including a notable increase in women’s participation in the workforce and advances in legal protections against discrimination. Yet, Steinem witnessed a resurgence of opposition to these gains, particularly following the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, which had established a constitutional right to abortion in 1973. Since this ruling, thirteen states have enacted total or near-total abortion bans, with several others restricting the procedure to within six weeks of pregnancy.

Steinem described the court’s reversal as a setback for democracy. In contrast, many Christian conservative leaders and organizations hailed it as a triumph, intensifying efforts to promote traditional gender roles centered on marriage and motherhood. Some conservatives argue that feminism has contributed to declining birthrates, higher divorce rates, and the erosion of traditional family values. The Heritage Foundation has been among the prominent voices advocating for policies aimed at strengthening what they describe as the “traditional family,” proposing measures like financial incentives for young couples to marry and have children early.

Emma Waters, a Heritage Foundation analyst, has criticized the “career-first culture” she attributes to feminism, suggesting it undermines women’s happiness by downplaying family life. She has specifically challenged symbols associated with the feminist movement, including the title “Ms.” and the magazine founded by Steinem, asserting that embracing motherhood and adopting a husband’s surname remain countercultural choices today. Steinem, who never had children, said she was content with her decision while emphasizing the importance of reproductive choice as essential to female empowerment.

Steinem’s activism began in earnest after attending a 1969 meeting focused on abortion rights, where she shared her own experience with an illegal abortion in London. At that time, abortion was largely prohibited across the United States, contraceptive rights were only recently recognized by the Supreme Court, and women faced widespread workplace discrimination, including legal dismissal for pregnancy and denial of credit without a male cosigner. Currently, women’s labor force participation has increased significantly, legal protections have expanded, and female representation in Congress has grown to 152 members.

While conservative groups generally support women’s rights to own property, work, and vote, some have pushed for a reassertion of traditional gender roles. This has included controversial statements from public officials and religious figures advocating for a return to male-led households and opposing feminism as incompatible with certain Christian teachings.

Advocates for women’s rights warn that efforts to restrict reproductive freedoms and cast feminism as antagonistic to family values are intended to curtail women’s autonomy and limit their life choices. Fatima Goss Graves, CEO of the National Women’s Law Center, argued that progressive family policies, such as expanded paid leave and accessible childcare, serve to support both families and women’s economic independence.

Despite ongoing challenges, experts say feminism remains deeply embedded in American society. Estelle Freedman, a Stanford University historian, noted that the movement has withstood cycles of progress and backlash since the 19th century through continual adaptation and renewal. She credited Steinem with providing sustained leadership and visibility that helped preserve the movement’s momentum, emphasizing that the pursuit of gender equality remains an enduring, long-term endeavor.