Celebrate the feminist iconic Toledo native Gloria Steinem’s 90th birthday with a special event, A Steinem Celebration: 90 Years of Gloria, at Toledo Lucas County Public Library on Monday, March 25 from 6 pm to 8 pm.
In celebration of her birthday, local activists Dr. Deborah Schwartz, Dr. Tiffany Whitman, Sierra Ortiz, Sheena Barnes and Erika White will discuss with attendees the importance of utilizing libraries as feminist spaces while enjoying refreshments.
“Steinem is a writer, lecturer, political activist and feminist organizer”, according to the library.
Her work speaking on equality has spanned the US and several other countries.
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“She is particularly interested in the shared origins of sex and race caste systems, gender roles and child abuse as roots of violence, non-violent conflict resolution, the cultures of indigenous peoples and organizing across boundaries for peace and justice,” the library said on the website.
The Steinem Sister’s Collection, which features over 900 books, was compiled to honor her on her 80th birthday in 2014 by the now-closed bookstore, People Called Women. The bookstore sold the collection to Toledo Library in 2017.
“The Collection champions the historical, cultural and political contribution of women. The collection strives to provide a welcoming space for women of all walks of life to share their truths. The types of materials we collect are ‘feminist materials’ – which are materials that uphold women’s rights and interests in defining and promoting political, economic, personal and social equality of the sexes,” the library wrote.
The library also has a book club that is reading through the Steinem Sisters Collection. The club meets once a month. The next meeting is set for Monday, Apr. 1, where the book Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi will be discussed.
For more information on A Steinem Celebration: 90 Years of Gloria, visit events.toledolibrary.org/event/8958404.
