Gloria Steinem, a leading figure in the feminist movement, witnessed a powerful backlash against her vision of feminism, particularly around reproductive rights. In the late 1960s, Steinem rose to prominence by advocating for abortion rights as a central element of women's empowerment. However, over time, debates around reproductive rights, motherhood, and traditional gender roles became central to the country's culture wars. In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which had guaranteed the constitutional right to abortion since 1973. As a result, 13 states have implemented total or near-total bans on abortion, while four others prohibit it after about six weeks of pregnancy—often before a woman even knows she is pregnant. Steinem called this decision a setback for democracy, while some conservative groups viewed it as a victory, promoting traditional gender roles and blaming feminism for societal changes like declining birthrates and rising divorce rates. In recent years, conservative leaders and organizations, including those associated with the Trump administration, have pushed policies and rhetoric aimed at encouraging young women to marry and have children early, prioritizing family over career. Delano Squires, a co-author of a Heritage Foundation report titled "Saving America by Saving the Family," criticized feminism for promoting the idea that marriage and family are less important than professional success. The report even suggests creating investment accounts with a $2,500 deposit for those who marry before 30. Emma Waters, a Heritage Foundation analyst, has criticized the "career-first" culture linked to feminism, even taking a jab at the "Ms." magazine founded by Steinem. Steinem herself never had children, a decision she said she never regretted. She continued to champion reproductive rights as a cornerstone of women's empowerment. Her activism began in her 30s after attending a 1969 meeting where women shared stories about abortion rights, which inspired her to speak out about her own secret abortion in London at age 22. At the time, abortion was illegal in most of the U.S., and women had few rights in the workforce. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974, which made it illegal to deny credit to women based on gender, was one of the many hard-won victories for women’s rights. Today, about 58% of women 20 and older are in the labor force, and 152 women serve in Congress—compared to just 11 in the 1970s. Despite these advancements, some conservative leaders have amplified traditionalist views. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sparked controversy by sharing a video from a Christian nationalist church suggesting women should no longer be allowed to vote. For some on the religious right, feminism is seen as opposing the traditional "godly" role of a father leading the household and a mother prioritizing family needs. Women's advocacy groups warn that efforts to limit reproductive rights and frame feminism as an attack on families are attempts to disempower women and restrict their choices. Fatima Goss Graves, CEO of the National Women's Law Center, argues that progressive policies like expanded family leave and affordable child care support both families and women's financial independence. Despite setbacks like the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the ongoing fight for the Equal Rights Amendment, Stanford University professor Estelle Freedman believes feminism is deeply embedded in modern American life. She notes that the economy now depends on women continuing to work, and the feminist movement has continually adapted and grown over time. Steinem, she said, provided crucial continuity for over half a century, helping to keep the movement visible and ongoing. “The work just has to continue,” Freedman said.