School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--Conkling's biography describes the life of feminist icon Gloria Steinem. Steinem's unconventional childhood allowed her to view traditional gender roles in Western society through a different lens. By the time she was in college in the 1950s, Steinem realized she didn't want to be known as just someone's wife or mother, but as a complex individual. She became one of the leaders in the second wave of feminism; she continues to fight for civil rights today. With an easy-to-read narrative style, Conkling provides context to Steinem's desire for women to have the power to make their own choices. Readers will find Conkling's portrayal of Steinem to be authentic and relevant as she fights for equality for women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and marginalized groups. Some of the traumas described (pet death, abortion, rape) could be unsettling for some readers. Though the chapters about Ms. magazine feel slow at times, Steinem's life is fascinating until the last page. Back matter includes details of the Ms. Foundation, a time line, "Partners in Justice," a glossary of feminists, a bibliography, and comprehensive source notes. VERDICT An enlightening, high-quality narrative history of a woman and her work as a leader of American feminism. Recommended for fans of Conkling's Votes for Women!: American Suffragists and the Battle for the Ballot, Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly, and Galaxy Girls: 50 Amazing Stories of Women in Space by Libby Jackson.--Hilary Tufo, Columbus Metropolitan Library-Reynoldsburg, OH
Publisher's Weekly Review
Conkling (Heroism Begins with Her) provides a comprehensive biography of Gloria Steinem, often shining psychological insight onto the actions and writings of this icon of American feminism. Born in 1934 to parents who divorced when she was 10, Steinem's childhood was difficult, dominated by poverty and her mentally ill mother's need for care. After graduating from Smith College and spending time in India, Steinem pursued a journalism career. While supporting herself primarily as a writer, Steinem's activism in political arenas--Vietnam War protests, migrant workers' rights--gradually crystallized into a focus on feminist issues. Steinem consciously dedicated herself to feminism in 1969; since then, she has remained a leader of this movement, as a cofounder of Ms. magazine, as a speaker and essayist, and as a campaigner for women's rights and representation. Though Steinem attributes her independence and feminist leanings to parental influences, experience and intellectual rigor contribute equally to her status. Conkling provides a clear, sensitive portrayal of one of the foremost feminists of the modern age. Back matter highlights the Ms. Foundation, provides timelines of Steinem's life and American feminism, and more. Ages 12--up. (June)
Horn Book Review
Conkling (Radioactive!, rev. 3/16; Votes for Women!, rev. 3/18) opens this insightful biography of the feminist icon with a close call. In 1956, when she was twenty-two, Steinem called off wedding plans, feeling she wasn't ready for "a little death" (i.e., marriage). Conkling posits: "If Steinem had chosen to marry Chotzinoff, she may never have changed the world the way she did. By breaking with traditional expectations, Steinem was able to realize her dreams and redefine what it meant to be a twentieth-century feminist." Conkling takes readers through her subject's upbringing in a loving but unstable household; her early career as a freelance writer and journalist; her embrace of feminism in the late 1960s (initially she had considered herself "a humanist rather than a feminist"); and her emergence as a leading voice in the second wave of American feminism. The chronological narrative highlights through-lines in Steinem's story, including her commitment to social justice, equality, and intersectionality (long before the concept had a name). Gen Z readers will come away with a deeper appreciation for how much has changed for women during Steinem's lifetime and how much of that change was forged by Steinem herself. Extensive back matter includes timelines of Steinem's life and of feminism in America, a "Who's Who" list, source notes, and a bibliography. Photographs and index not seen. Kitty Flynn July/August 2020 p.150(c) Copyright 2020. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
This wonderfully detailed biography provides insights into the events that shaped Gloria Steinem's life and turned her into a groundbreaking advocate for women's rights. The readable text flows through chapters with titles that address her life milestones and hit on landmark moments from the women's movement ("An Untraditional Childhood," "Abortion," "The Equal Rights Amendment," "Ms.," etc.) until the opening of the 2018 Broadway play Gloria: A Life. The pages are full of quotes, relatable anecdotes of setbacks and successes, and profiles of prominent colleagues (and sometimes adversaries) such as Betty Friedan, Bella Abzug, Wilma Mankiller, and Phyllis Schlafly. Accessible social and political context provides background so that readers will understand and appreciate the impact of Steinem's activism, statements, stances, and lifestyle choices. The extensive back matter includes a biographical time line, outlines of four waves of American feminism (1884 to 2018, and the Time's Up movement), a who's who of notable feminists, a bibliography, and extensive chapter notes. This will satisfy both researchers and those looking for inspiration. Women in Focus: The 19th in 2020
