Archive · 5 Sep 2026
How India Shaped Gloria Steinem’s Feminist Journey
Gloria Steinem became a famous writer and leader in the feminist movement.
When she was 22, she went from the United States to study in India.
She lived at Miranda House in Delhi and learned about everyday life there.
She travelled through different parts of India and spent time with followers of Vinoba Bhave.
They showed her that ordinary people can help create important change.
She also met Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, who made her think differently about history.
Steinem brought these lessons back to the United States and used them in her activism.
India became an important part of the journey that shaped her work for women’s rights.
Gloria Steinem visited India at 22 on a Chester Bowles Asian Fellowship after graduating from Smith College.
She spent about a year at Miranda House in Delhi and travelled across several parts of India.
Her time with Vinoba Bhave’s followers taught her that social change should begin with ordinary people.
Meeting Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay changed how Steinem understood history and power.
Steinem later co-founded Ms. magazine, helped establish the National Women’s Political Caucus, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.
- Who
- Gloria Steinem, along with Indian reformers and activists including Vinoba Bhave and Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay.
- What
- Steinem’s year in India influenced her views on inequality, history, grassroots activism and social change.
- When
- She studied at Miranda House in 1957, returned to the United States afterward, revisited Miranda House in 2014, and died on Thursday, September 4, according to the article.
- Where
- She studied in Delhi and travelled to Calcutta, southern India, Bombay and Paramdham Ashram Pawnar.
- Why
- Her experiences in India challenged her assumptions and taught her to listen to ordinary people and view history more critically.
- Age during India visit
- 22
- Fellowship
- Chester Bowles Asian Fellowship
- College in India
- Miranda House in Delhi
- Study completion
- Steinem completed her studies at Miranda House in 1957.
- Influential reformer
- Vinoba Bhave and his followers introduced Steinem to a grassroots approach to activism.
- Major publication
- Steinem co-founded Ms. magazine in 1971.
- Presidential honor
- She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.