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Girls creator Lena Dunham paid tribute to Gloria Steinem on Thursday, reminiscing on her friendship with the feminist icon and how she gave her lasting advice in her 20s about men, activism and more.
“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 (like the time I admired your silver vulva ring and you plucked it off your hand and placed it on mine.),” Dunham wrote on social media.
In the post, which Dunham also expanded on her Substack account, Dunham recounts first visiting Steinem’s apartment, which was decorated with photos from her travels and of her “chosen family,” and reflecting that “this is how a woman should live.”
“You let me wander in as a lost twenty something, determined that things should change and unsure how or if they could, and you advised me on everything from men (can be fun, aren’t required) to activism (it’s a marathon, not a race.) One hot New York night we want to see ‘Wonder Woman’ in theaters, and when it finished you wanted to sit through the entire credits and then you clapped, and when I asked if you liked it you said of course, that it was what we all needed- and that your favorite part was when all the women were together on their island,” she wrote.
Steinem’s death was announced Sept. 3, with the activist and writer, who co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus as well as pioneering feminist publication Ms. magazine, passing away peacefully at home at the age of 92.
In May, Steinem hosted a book party for Dunham at her home to celebrate the release of Famesick. Writing of that event, Dunham recollected how Steinem’s presence continued to evoke awe for anyone that came into contact with her.
“A few months ago, you welcomed a group of us into your home. You could not have felt more alive, more eternal, and the room took on a hush when you spoke, the same awed disbelief that I felt whenever you offered me the chance to spend time with you. You knew the effect you had and so you doled out jokes with ease, made us all laugh as if drinking mocktails next to you was the most natural thing in the world. It’s rare that I’ll ever be as delighted as when you said “Phillip Roth used to stand by a pile of his own novels at the bookstore with a pen, ready to sign them to any woman who looked his way. I had to avoid that bookstore!,” she wrote.
At the end of the party, Dunham writes that Steinem retreated to her room to watch one of her favorite shows, Call Her Midwife.
“Because even when you rested, even when you wanted to chill, you turned on a show about a group of women whose vocation is to help other women to survive,” the post reads.
“You worked so hard for us. You gave so much. And your memory will continue to go overtime to remind us what is possible when we are, as the beaded bracelet you once gave me said, “linked not ranked,’” the post continues. “I love you Gloria. We all do.”
English (US) ·