Gloria Steinem

Feminist leader

Contemporary influential 179 sayings

Sayings by Gloria Steinem

A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.

1970 (approx) — Often attributed to Steinem, though she credits Irina Dunn
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.

1970s (approx) — Often attributed, widely quoted
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

We are becoming the men we wanted to marry.

1992 — Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If the shoe doesn't fit, must we change the foot?

1970s (approx) — Speech or essay, questioning adaptation to societal norms
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn.

1983 — Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

A liberated woman is one who has sex before marriage and a career after.

1970s (approx) — Attributed, playful yet provocative definition
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

America is an insane asylum run by the inmates.

1970s-1980s (approx) — Attributed, critical commentary on politics/society
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else.

1980s (approx) — Interview
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

If you can make a woman laugh, you can make her do anything.

1970s (approx) — Attributed, a common relationship insight
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Most American women are still struggling with the idea that it's okay to be ambitious.

1970s (approx) — Interview or essay
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The art of being a good conversationalist is knowing how to listen.

1980s (approx) — Attributed, personal philosophy
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Superwomen are the adversary of the women's movement.

1980s (approx) — Interview or essay, critiquing unrealistic expectations
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Law and justice are not always the same. When they aren't, the law must be made to serve justice.

1970s (approx) — Speech or essay
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The test for whether or not you can hold a job should not be the arrangement of your chromosomes.

1970s (approx) — Speech or essay
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.

1992 — Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Childbirth is more admirable than conquest, more amazing than self-defense, and as courageous as any act on a battlefield.

1983 — Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Any woman who chooses to behave like a full human being should be warned that the armies of the status quo will treat her as something of a dirty joke.

1983 — Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The reformers are the people who have a sense of injustice, who feel that things are not as they should be.

1970s (approx) — Interview
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Empathy is the most radical of human emotions.

2000s (approx) — Speech or essay
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The good news is that we are all growing up. The bad news is that we are all growing up.

1990s (approx) — Attributed, humorous take on aging
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable