Listening to Gloria Steinem

Gloria Steinem was in town yesterday to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of MS magazine. I had the opportunity to hear her speak twice - once at a lunch hosted by the Feminist Majority, and then again when she gave the keynote at Stanford last night. I invited all of the Anita Borg Institute's staff to join us for lunch, along with a few guests. My very good friend Amy Pearl let me know about the event. The lunch sold out in a few days, and the Stanford talk sold out in a few minutes. It warms my heart that Gloria still demands that kind of response. The events brought more awareness of MS magazine to Silicon Valley.

The work and writings of Gloria Steinem is very relevant to our work at the Anita Borg Institute, as we think about what does it take to create a movement?

Here is a picture with several members of ABI's staff including Jody Mahoney and Deanna Kosaraju



What was most impressive was Gloria's calm comments on activism and taking small steps to make a difference. Some of what I heard her say is

People are generous when they are treated generously.

In my work we often work with others to change thinking and actions, and I have seen how ineffective complaints can be, but if you provide difficult feedback with respect, it can make all the difference.

Other comments she made
If each of you do thing in the next 24 hours in the cause of social justice, there will two results - the world will be a better place, and you will have fun
Fear is contagious BUT
Courage is contagious too
Lead by example
We are the most effective at what matters to us.

Most of her speech was delivered with a softness and a humbleness that was in sharp contrast to the sold out crowds. My friend Anita Borg was a huge Gloria Steinem fan, and I thought of her often yesterday.

I think there are ways that we can work with the Feminist Majority and I was proud to be able to support the event.