Gloria Steinem's Humor Defied Feminist Stereotypes and Inspired Media Change

Gloria Steinem shattered the stereotype that feminists lack a sense of humor, having been an Emmy-nominated writer on the 1965 satirical news program That Was the Week That Was alongside figures like Buck Henry and Herb Sargent. In a 2011 encounter, she encouraged a longtime comedy writer, who had recently highlighted gender gaps on late-night shows, to keep pushing for change; within six months, those shows added female writers.

Steinem recounted disturbing accounts from a recent trip to India, where women face enslavement and girls are denied medical care, illustrating the breadth of her activism. She argued that fighting patriarchy requires many small actions, not just grand gestures. Later, they collaborated on a comedic sketch for the Women’s Media Center awards, envisioning a media world run by 97 % women and satirizing current industry practices. The anecdote reflects Steinem’s lifelong commitment to equality and her belief that laughter can be a powerful tool for social change.