Journalist • Playboy Bunny • Celebrity • World’s Most Beautiful Byline • Feminist Activist • Woman of the Year • Legend
Gloria Steinem: A Day at Mills by Moya Stone, MFA '03
M
arch 15, 2007: People are arriving as early as 9:00 a.m. By 11:00 a.m. the usually empty lawn across from the library is a carpet of parked cars. Cancelled classes and closed departments allow at least 1,200 staff, faculty, alumnae and alumni, trustees, and community members to sprawl across the campus, chatting and sharing their common memories of a feminist icon. An exceptional buzz in the air that has been building for weeks heightens to almost bursting on a day that will surely go down in the Mills annals as Gloria Steinem Day. With clear skies and a gentle breeze, spring
comes early this momentous morning on which renowned feminist, activist, and author Gloria Steinem arrives at Mills in a hired black car. Opening her own door, she emerges from the back seat standing tall and dressed in black. Sporting a shorter version of her trademark straight hair parted down the middle, but without the oversized glasses, she looks decidedly younger than her 72 years. The coordinator of this event, Renee Jadushlever, vice president for information resources and library director, greets Steinem and escorts her through the day’s activities which include a meeting with President Janet
Gloria Steinem with Vivian Stephenson, Honorary Degree, ’05, chair, Mills College Board of Trustees and President Janet Holmgren
18 MILLS QUAR TERLY S U M M E R 2007