Gloria Steinem on Palin: Feminists Don't Criminalize Abortion

By: Michael Wuebben
Topics: Katie Couric

In an interview for @katiecouric, writer and activist Gloria Steinem responded to Sarah Palin calling herself a feminist, saying, "you can't be a feminist who says other women can't" have an abortion.

Couric was joined by Steinem and Women's Media Center president Jehmu Greene. The discussion ranged from sexism in reality TV to the latest field of female GOP candidates.

Steinem said of candidates like Republican Senate nominee Carly Fiorina: "I defend their right to be wrong." You can watch the full interview by clicking below:

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by JayAdler1 July 1, 2010 2:41 AM EDT: Please let me clarify my point, I see this all over the place these days where celebrities and activists from the 1960's do not call it a day. As a music critic I do wince when I see the older performers pick up a Fender and think they are 21 again. I am part of their generation and I am saying specifically give it up to the young, fit and with it politicians and performers because we have had our day. Why is Bruce still out there? He is not the Bruce that hung around with Madame Marie (Died yesterday I think) and then got his shirt caught in the Asbury Park tilt a whirl. He is at least 60 as I am but he will be doddering around until the ticket sales become less brisk.If you do not leave the party when you are losing your timing you become a Jay Leno monologue entry. That is all I meant.; Reply to this comment


by Reddbird June 27, 2010 8:44 AM EDT: Palin is an overrated joke who wore out her fifteen minutes of fame a long time ago. So did the Tea Party.; Reply to this comment


by Reddbird June 27, 2010 8:43 AM EDT: Yeah, I just wanted to comment with regard to everyone's comments. Sooner or later, it's not going to be about ideology so much anymore so much as it's going to be about ideas. It won't be so much about rights anymore as it is about responsibilities. As for Cronkite's political leanings, he was an independent, just as I am, so you can't put people like him and me in these neat little boxes. As for the concept of feminism, it lost it's way and is more about scoring points just as Ms. Couric is. All of this petty little bickering about this issue or that issue or this person or that person is making our country and political system look like a joke. We need to knock off this nonsense and grow up.; Reply to this comment


by getrealsoon June 25, 2010 10:01 PM EDT: Gotta love those old time liberal/feminists. I can't believe they don't want the government to be involved with a family or young woman considering abortion or other options. But they sure as hell would support the government paying for millions of them a year. They aren't only old time feminists/liberals they are dumb *****.; Reply to this comment


by Mitchellini123 June 25, 2010 4:16 PM EDT: Who in their right mind is saying anything about outlawing, or making criminals, of those who decide to end their pregnancies? I guess the support of the idea that you should be more responsible to avoid that situation in the first place is what is giving a political platform for liberal/progressive idealists in the first place. Responsibility is two fold; it takes two to tango. That issue should not just fall on women, but us guys too. That is something I think feminists of today should focus upon, rather than the politicizing of the issue to fit a leftist agenda to advance further idealism, and latch onto other issues. Stick to the main issue, and leave politics aside. If you were true to care about women's rights, you'd take my suggestion seriously.; Reply to this comment


by JayAdlerMusic June 25, 2010 1:06 AM EDT: I have to say that I remember Gloria Steinem and the Women's Lib movement being more popular in the media than sliced bread back when I was a freshman at NYU in Washington Square, Greenwich Village, Manhattan in 1967.At that time the genders were quibbling with each and using the term male chauvinist pig.Burn the bra was all over the late night monologues as women actually did that. Come'on Gloria, my wife will not let me take out the garbage for fear that I will hurt my back and my children make more money in their jobs then I do. Gloria it is time to realize, you were the greatest but Sarah Palin is the latest.; Reply to this comment


by arias002 June 24, 2010 7:56 PM EDT: I think the point they were making is that pro-life doesn't have to mean criminalizing and making abortion illegal. I am pro-life but am glad I never had to make that choice. All women who make the horrible decision to end pregnancies are not just "loose women with no self respect" that is rude to even suggest such a thing. I think Sarah Palin's of the world need to quite passing judgement and think they are saints because they chose life women do everyday. They should work to make this world a better place for all women and families. Criminalizing abortion will not make that possible.; Reply to this comment


by yooperfem June 24, 2010 3:49 PM EDT: Sarah Palin is calling herself feminist to give herself cover to take advantage of her newfound celebrity to make big bucks on the rubber chicken circuit. A traditional woman would put her family ahead of money and glamor. She has a special needs baby and a daughter who is a teen-aged single mom. They need her.

The anti-abortion, anti-contraceptive crowd don't believe women are entitled to a healthy sex life unless they are willing to breed early and often. One of the things that came up during the reign of Pope John XXIII was how much Catholic women hated sex. What a surprise!; Reply to this comment


by newageblues June 24, 2010 7:17 AM EDT: Anyone can call themselves a feminist, but if you believe a pregnant woman's body is community property and should be treated as such, I think there's very few active feminists who will consider you one.; Reply to this comment