Gloria Steinem, who died on Wednesday at 92, was a feminist champion who personified the modern women’s movement for more than half a century and called herself “an entrepreneur of social change.”
Many of the people Ms. Steinem influenced — thought leaders, journalists, politicians and other celebrities — paid tribute to her on social media on Thursday, celebrating her enduring, spirited activism and her relentless push for women’s rights and equality.
“Gloria Steinem understood that women’s equality begins with the freedom to make decisions about our own bodies, health, and futures,” former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and the former first lady Jill Biden said in a shared post on Instagram on Thursday.
Here are some other reactions from notable figures around the world:
Hillary Clinton
The former secretary of state and the wife of former President Bill Clinton shared a photo of herself with Ms. Steinem, who had supported Mrs. Clinton’s 2008 and 2016 presidential campaigns. Ms. Steinem was “one of the architects of the entire structure of women’s equality,” Mrs. Clinton wrote.
“She pushed open doors not just for herself, but for literally millions of women behind her,” she added.
Carole King
The singer, songwriter, author and environmentalist said of Ms. Steinem: “As we elders, our daughters, and our granddaughters continue the fight for power, equality, and respect, we hold you in our hearts with love and gratitude.”
Nancy Pelosi
Ms. Pelosi, the first woman to serve as speaker of the House of Representatives, praised Ms. Steinem as “a fearless trailblazer who transformed the fight for equality in America and inspired generations of women to know their power.”
Melinda French Gates
The philanthropist and businesswoman celebrated Ms. Steinem’s prolific advocacy. “The decades of energy, brilliance, and advocacy she devoted to women’s rights helped so many of us see that we belonged at the tables where decisions are made,” she said.
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex
Meghan recalled interviewing Ms. Steinem, whom she called a friend and a mentor, in a post on Instagram. “Publicly, we did interviews together, called young voters to encourage them to have their voices heard, attended award ceremonies, and brainstormed how to help this beautiful yet complicated world to become more equitable,” she wrote.
She also recalled being with Ms. Steinem in New York City when a woman approached them on the street. The woman said she wanted her young daughter to meet Ms. Steinem, acknowledging with some embarrassment that the girl most likely had no idea who Ms. Steinem was. “It doesn’t matter if she knows who I am,” Meghan recalled Ms. Steinem replying. “What matters is that she knows who SHE is.”
Harvey Fierstein
The actor and writer described Ms. Steinem as “an unstoppable visionary who demanded an equal role for females in a male-dominated world and worked tirelessly, for decades, to bring that change about.”
Christiane Amanpour
The CNN anchor described Ms. Steinem “as one of the most important activists of all time, leading a movement for the equality of half the world: its women.”
Katie Couric
The veteran journalist hailed Ms. Steinem as a leader who “brought women’s experiences into the mainstream, and inspired generations of women to find and use their own voices.”
Lena Dunham
The writer and the creator and star of the HBO series “Girls” reflected on Ms. Steinem’s generosity on Thursday. “You weren’t just generous with your life force, your vision or your intellect: you were generous with your time, your laughter and even your jewelry,” she wrote on Instagram, recalling the time that Ms. Steinem placed one of her rings on Ms. Dunham’s finger.
