“In November of 1992, following the election of President Bill Clinton, Ms. Steinem spoke to a sold-out audience at Fountain Street Church specifically for an event raising funds for the YWCA.”
Michelle Rabideau is Board President of the YWCA West Central Michigan which is commemorating Gloria Steinem’s Grand Rapids visit and her transformative impact on social justice, gender equality and women’s rights.
“That time was such an inspiring moment in our organization's history, and it really elevated our YWCA's role as a leading voice for women's rights and gender equity in West Michigan.”
Rabideau notes the legacy of Steinem’s visit.
“It just really helped the YWCA identify as really that strong kind of female organization. It strengthened our public leadership on issues affecting women and girls. It really kind of sparked us as the voice for so many issues affecting women and girls and kind of catapulted us into a space that we'd never necessarily been looked at as before. “
YWCA West Central Michigan is a nonprofit organization that provides crisis intervention, support services, and emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Steinem also famously interviewed former First Lady Betty Ford in 1984 who spoke candidly about her breast cancer diagnosis and desire to destigmatize screenings to save women’s lives.
Both women were prominent supporters of women’s rights and the 1970’s feminist movement, often appearing at events and working together.
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