Gloria Steinem is an American feminist, journalist, and social-political activist who has been a prominent voice in the fight for gender equality and women's rights for decades. She was born in Toledo, Ohio in 1934. After attending Smith College and spending time abroad, Steinem began her career as a journalist in the 1960s, covering a wide range of topics including politics, culture, and women's issues. In 1968, she helped to found New York Magazine and soon became a prominent voice in the feminist movement. Steinem's involvement with the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) began in the 1970s when she joined forces with other feminists to campaign for its ratification. The ERA was a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would have prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex. It was first introduced in Congress in 1923, but despite decades of efforts to pass it, the amendment failed to gain critical support. Steinem was a vocal supporter of the ERA and played a key role in bringing attention to the issue. She traveled around the country, gave speeches, and organized rallies in support of the amendment. She also helped to found the National Women's Political Caucus, which aimed to increase the number of women in elected office and promote women's rights. Although the ERA was ultimately not ratified, Steinem's activism helped to raise awareness about gender inequality and inspired many women to get involved in the feminist movement. She continues to be a leading voice in the fight for gender equality, working to address issues such as reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, and violence against women.