Gloria Steinem died yesterday at 92. I had the privilege of photographing her many years ago, under circumstances I’ve never forgotten.
It was a last minute request. Hello, Gloria … I would like to do a portrait before your speech at John Deere headquarters tonight. It’s for our corporate magazine, JD Journal. Could we meet somewhere this afternoon?
Sure, she said, as graciously as any human could be. I’m at the Howard Johnson’s in Moline. Call when you get here. We can do it in my room.”
And so I arrived, Nikkon in hand to confront one of the most influential campaigners for women’s equality of this century … in her room at the Howard Johnson’s motel … ironing her dress.
“It’s something I always do before I speak,” she said matter-of-factly.
I sent her a print later that year. She wrote me back.
“Thanks for sending this, John. It’s one of my favorite portraits.”
Gloria Steinem, 1934–2026
Portrait by John Gerstner